stupid shock/coil install question

[damon]

I am looking to replace the stock shocks ASAP, and will probably do the front coils in the future as well to get the truck level. But right now I don't really want to mess with the alignment and other associated issues related to raising the front end.



So, when I replace just the front shocks, do the coils have to come off ? How hard of a job is this ? I'm thinking that if I need to remove the coils anyway, I might as well do both jobs in one shot.



And sorry for the ignorance here, but the only thing that I've done to the truck in the 4 weeks that I've owned it is put 6 stainless tie-down hooks in the bed (gotta tie the YZ400 down to something !)



TIA

 

[AggieJustin]

No need to remove the front coils to replace the front shocks. Just remove the shock towers from the top and pull the shocks up out of the coil.



The driver's side is a little tricky since the space is tight, but it is possible.



JM

 

[TPCDrafting]

I just put on the Bilsteins a few weeks back. AggieJustin is right, there are 3 nuts holding the shock tower on and the top bolt for the shock itself. I found the bottom mounts to be VERY snug. I had to beat out the old shocks and gently beat the new ones in. I also found it easier to access them by pulling the front tire. Also putting a little grease on the in sides of the lower shock mount made it easier to beat them into place. You'll need a socket with a long arm on it to get the lower bolts loose and tightened back down. Just cuz they're on there so tight. Handy they put a flange on the nut so you dont have to hold a wrench on that side.



The back shocks were cake.



The old shocks (at almost 90k) were OEM and were totally shot. The ride is much smoother and it sticks to the bumpy roads much better now. It still rides like a truck though.

 

[damon]

good, thanks for the quick responses, I only have < 3000 miles on the truck and I can't take the stock shocks any longer. In fact, I don't see how DM can even let these 7000# trucks out the door with the lack of damping in the stock units.



So now the decision of which shocks to go with, my search returned only 300 or so threads on that topic, so I have enough reading to keep me busy for the next couple hours.

 

[JR2]

Here is my vote ... ... Bilsteins. I love em, the truck rides so much better.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Bilstien Shocks

Let me put it this way.



I replaced the stock shocks at 31,000. When I got finished I asked the wife if she wanted to go for a ride. We had gone only about a half mile when she said "This truck rides better than it ever has, now!".



When my Dad drove it he came back and said that it didn't even ride that well when it was new.



I like the Bilstiens and have had them on other vehicles. I my opinion, they are worth the money and it is well spent.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Test fit the lower bushing before you put the shock in the tower. I had to grind a hair off of mine to get it into the lower bracket. Course' I had already bolted the top in when I found that.

 

[jsnyder]

Ditto the Bilsteins

My wife also noticed the difference. I had Heckethorns for less than a year and the fronts were shot. Put on the Bilsteins and she was amazed when we went flying over the railroad tracks.