I want to install some new shocks on the truck. I purchased the Rancho RS 9000 adjustable. Looking at the front shocks, I can not compress them at all.

What is the easiest method of installing. I was thinking of loosening the old shocks, jacking up the frame and allowing the wheel to slowly drop, remove the old shock, install the new shock and gently lowering the frame till the top bolt is reachable through the upper suspension arm.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Richard

Richard, I've found that the best way to install front shocks on these trucks is to remove the top nuts of the old shocks with the suspension compressed. Then after removing, jack the truck up an unload the suspension. Remove the lower shock bolts and the shock will almost fall right out. Then just reverse the steps to install the new shock.

Yep, that's pretty much what I did.

don't mean to jack the thread, but you guys that have swapped out shocks...I notice one of you has bilsteins and the other Rancho's and one soon to be Rancho.

how do these shocks rate/compare to the stockers?

Thanks! I'll be doing front and rear soon. Can anybody give me the right procedure for the rear?
:thankyou2

Thanks for the info on the front shocks. Will do them tomorrow.

Richard

As far as the rear shocks, I think you can pretty much just remove the old and bolt in the new. The Rancho rear shocks do not have as much compresssion as the front and also there is a lot more travel distance. When I previously installed Bilsteins, they came with the cord tie and you cut the cord as you installed them.

Don't think the rear would be any problem, but you never know.

Thanks! I'll be doing front and rear soon. Can anybody give me the right procedure for the rear?
:thankyou2The rear shocks are a piece of cake!!!:lol: You really don't have to do anything but remove and install the shocks on the rear. You can leave the truck on the ground or jack it up and support it with jack stands under the rear axle for more clearance. You'll need and 18mm wrench and socket to remove the upper and lower bolts. The hardest part of the job is compressing the new shocks to install them. Loosely bolt the top. Compress the shock and install lower bolt. Then tighten both.

But if you can support the frame with tall jack stands and let the rear axle hang from the spring, you can raise and lower the axle to the proper height to hook up the new shock without having to compress it.

Good Luck!!!

don't mean to jack the thread, but you guys that have swapped out shocks...I notice one of you has bilsteins and the other Rancho's and one soon to be Rancho.

how do these shocks rate/compare to the stockers?
Much better...........

On my next truck, shocks will be one of the FIRST mods............

front shocks should go in OK while the truck is sitting on the ground. on the ranchos, set the shock to the first setting (#1) and install the top of the shock first, then compress the bottom end and slide the bolt in. it is not all that difficult. no need to unload the suspension or jack anything up

Thanks Jasper2222 and CrazyDaze!! I'll get it done. This place is great :thumb:

I put Blistiens on my truck last summer. They come with a nylon band on them to keep them compressed. To save yourself the effort of compressing them, just leave the band on until moments before you are ready to put them in place on the truck.

front shocks should go in OK while the truck is sitting on the ground. on the ranchos, set the shock to the first setting (#1) and install the top of the shock first, then compress the bottom end and slide the bolt in. it is not all that difficult. no need to unload the suspension or jack anything upI agree with ski1. Just crank the wheel all the way to right or left, and swap the front shocks. No need for jacking.

my Bilsteins are on the way..and I just had a chance to look at the front suspension..I never even realized the HD's had no coil springs?? no wonder swapping shocks is so easy. thanks for the info and install tips.