Shock installation help

Im about to order some bilstein hd shocks for my 02. I was wondering if anybody had a Thread on exactly how to change the shocks and struts out, or had any pointers. Thanks

 

Look in the suspension thread. Should be similar to 2nd Gen install

 

the fronts are a bit trickier, but definitely possible for a DIY-er. rent a macpherson strut spring compressor from your nearest auto parts store and with just a few basic hand tools you can swap them out.

i find it easiest to undo the strut bolt (that holds the top plate onto the coil/shock assembly) while the whole thing is still in the truck. Then I put one of the spring compressors on the coil while it's still on the truck, then jack it up and loosen the lower eye bolt and the 3 upper nuts. then i stand clear and hit it with a 2x4 and a rubber mallet. the thing comes out pretty fast...

i'm sure there's a safer way to do it, but this is the easiest for me. lol

installing the new shock in the coil is fairly straightforward -- just takes time to tighten that coil down enough to get clearance for attaching the top plate.

 

your also going to need some pointy vise grips, if the shock keeps spinning.

 

yeah, if the coil and shock are preassembled with a new top plate, you can swap both sides out in under an hour, i'm sure! very easy to do. just take off the 3 14-mm nuts on the top and the bolt on the bottom and that's it (obviously gotta jack the front of the truck up) -- don't even disassemble the current shock/spring combo you have in there.

 

1st Gen we don't have that problem

 

ahhh ok sorry.

 

By the way im getting the Bilstein HD's and everybody keeps asking me why and that i should get the 5100's. Im putting the 1 inch spacer from daystar on the front too. Is that going to be a problem if i get the HD's ? And im not very picky when it comes to the ride, unless its the stock shocks that i have on now and acts like a rockin chair ever time i switch gears. So if the HD's are a little stiff im fine with it. Anybody got some info for me ?

 

The 5100's are a better ride I would just get the 5100's and don't get the spacer the 5100's can be set to lift the truck.

 

Ive heard they don't make the 5100s for my 2002. and if I do end up getting the hd's, will they work if I do put the spacer in there ? I know that im already gonna have to use a Bottle Jack to get the hd shock to fit without the spacer, so my question is, if I do put the spacer in, will it be too much and the shock not be long enough ? also give me some differences between the hd's and the 5100's. what's so bad about the hd's because everybody says not to get those.

 

Who told you that?
http://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-1...pre-runner-4wd-front-pre-load-adjustable.html