Rear shocks Right Vs Left.

02 TRD 4WD, auto, 3.4.

Ordered rear shocks. They came in today instead of Monday, so, given that I had to give up on the front shocks, decided to do the "easy ones" today.

First thing I noticed was the dealer was kind enough to wrap each and label one as RR. OK, I guess that is passenger side, per norms. It also has what looks like a P in marker written on the body.

But, as I wanted to be extra careful, given how the day has gone, I started looking at part numbers. And became totally befuddled as the numbers are all over the map.

Short story, one is about an inch longer than the other, fully extended. That seems to be the difference, much like the front springs. But, since I am having a hard time getting the top bolt off the passenger (RR) shock, I cannot compare both. Problem is, the LR (driver) is the longer, which matches the one hand marked RR.

Even if I get the right one off today, it may not resolve my confusion, as, this truck had a frame swap. And given some of the questionable stuff I have seen, it would not astonish me if the put them on the wrong side. I can say I did not see a noticeable "tilt" to the truck.

BTW, one of the questionable deals is the bolt I cannot remove has a 12 MM head. The others are all 17 MM. Also, the ABS sensor wire in the front "free float" on top of the shock towers, there is nothing holding them into the obvious mounting hole.

Thanks for watching.

 

Pictures?

As for install, I would install the new shocks followed by the labels posted on them.

It's been a month since I removed my rear shocks but if I recall, all 4x17mm bolts (2 per shock) were the same size and yes that top one on the passenger side is a pain due to the exhaust.

There was no 12mm bolt to remove at all and the whole job took no more than 5 minutes.

 

In the end, once the reluctant one was removed, it seems clear which goes where. It would be difficult, but perhaps not impossible for a stubborn fellow, to put the short one on the long side and vice versa.

 

Longer one on passenger side

 

My rear shocks did not differentiate between right or left and they seemed to fit just fine. Both upper and lower bolts were 14mm. As a previous poster stated the passenger side top bolt was a bit of a hassle because of the exhaust system.

 

If you got a set that has one longer than the other that's where it would go like the 5100. I guess it should work either way for you since it's only 1". But just adding input for the OP since he measured 1" longer and good info for others with the same question.

 

I would go by part numbers

 

Right, in this case. I scoured the internet for clues, some, with video even, claimed the long went on the left, driver, side. Either they got left and right confused or it varies with model. Which would be weird. Weird-er/

I guess I should be clear, the bolt head is 12 mm vs 17mm on the other three. I just used that one in an easy to reach place so I can change it later on. Had to add some washers so as to compress the bushings as it was bottoming out, being way longer that the others.

 

Just buy new bolts and replace the 4 of them; cheap insurance.

 

If you go to wheelers for example. Itll show you the passenger side should be the longer one.