seems like a lot of work in order to replace 2 shocks? I just swapped to Fox 2.0's and I kid you not it took me maybe 10 minutes total. I didn't use and jacks, didn't touch the spare, etc. Broke the bolts loose and used my cordless ratchet to remove the bolts, tossed the shocks on, compressed them by hand from the bottom to get the lower bolts started and tightened everything up.Installed the Bilstein 4600 rear shocks onto 2WD XL Soupie.
I gathered far more crap than I ended up using, but I should have used the tape measure to get new shocks to the right length and then used a strap to hold them compressed
equally important prep, a spot for the foreman and a spot for this old fart - ended up not taking a break, I was on a mission! =p
only the best wheel chocks! I did, at least, "preload" them by putting the truck in neutral and letting it roll into them, I didn't want my jack shifting too much later
friggin' spare took 10 minutes of screwing around - move Cheech's supercab bed, get out the jack, and then trying to line up the hole? had to get the work light out, and was I frustrated, ugh - but down it came and it's at 40psi. When I put it back up, I flipped it so I can get to the valve stem. It's in the back and if it ever got ripped off, then that'll be one hell of a dump run story! =D
it's a Dynapro! my other tires are Bridgestone Duellers
and the crap starts to accumulate under the truck, and thank God for knee pads! didn't need any extensions or wrenches or the hand ratchet
used my tire iron to break the 4 bolts loose (I keep my 30-inch breaker next to the driver seat, for those fast tire changes ...) =p
as you can see I also took off the rear tires, I have an impact wrench so it was an excuse to use it. I did scratch the plastic cap Ford logos because I put the lug nuts in them like a bowl and then promptly slid them around on the asphalt - derr!
super easy to reach all the bolts and captive nuts make it easy to take them out
patient foreman as I cuss like the Pacific Fleet's in town! =p
driver side went in super easy, but I had a hard time compressing the passenger side, so I did this "creative" thing
finally, it's in there!
torque all four bolts to 52 lb-ft
I jacked on the leaf spring hangers using a Safe Jack square plate that diagonally fit inside of the four bolts and placed the jack stands, as the manual says, on the axle. I also pushed the rear tires under the frame. That oil spot where a bolt is? My brand new $315 US Jack! I'm fit to be tied that it leaks and it'll get returned!
you can kind of see how that jack plate fit between the hanger bolts. You can also see the foreman keeping an eye on me =)
then the foreman insisted on a test run and we went to Wendy's for a double cheeseburger (by the time Cheech was done, it was a single for me!) =p
Odds and Ends
I had brought out tape to hold the upper captive nut on the passenger side, but it stayed in place and there was no way I could have gotten tape on it anyway. I did hold the nut when I placed the bolt back in until I ran it in with the air ratchet.
It probably took me two hours going at a very leisurely pace - it was nice out and I decided to take it very easy. It certainly can be done without removing the tires or even the spare. And hand tools would have simplified setup and take down. I imagine 15-20 minutes would be more than ample going this route.
You only need a breaker bar, a 3/8" ratchet, and a 15mm socket. No wrench needed since the nuts are partially captive. Three of the nuts fell loose into my hand and they are easy to hold in place when reinstalling.
The Verdict
It's really hard for me to quantify it.
It does feel different and the best I can say is the ride feels muffled - like a heavy blanket's been tossed over Soupie.
It's different than having a heavy load or having several hundred pounds of trailer tongue weight. The bounciness is less harsh and slower. For $158 I'd do this all day long - I'm very glad that I did this.
Thanks to all who steered me to the Bilstein 4600s, they're just right for Cheech adventures and dump runs!
Did you attach the lead dropping down to anything? I didn't like the idea of it just dangling there so made a small L bracket which I bolted on and then used a zip tie to hold the wire. Just gives me a little piece of mind.Made my first mod to start my new topper camping set up. Installed the Wolfhaus 12v power point in the bed. High quality product, and easy to understand instructions (with nice photos for morons like me). Super easy and quick install.
Can‘t function check it until tomorrow, but looks great.
Great idea. I’ll have to take a look at it. I can’t make anything, but I’ll check the hardware isle to see if there is something I can use.Did you attach the lead dropping down to anything? I didn't like the idea of it just dangling there so made a small L bracket which I bolted on and then used a zip tie to hold the wire. Just gives me a little piece of mind.
As I wrote at the end, you only need a breaker bar and a 15mm ratchet without the need to drop the spare or remove the rear tires.
What is a tonneau prop rod? I've never seen one and am very curious to what I'm missing out on!I finally got around to designing and printing a replacement tonneau cover prop rod holder after one broke a while back. Not the best print, just used default settings to get it out fast and test the size and such. Not perfect, the lower clip needs to be a little deeper and with a flatter inner edge so it doesn't pull off while removing the prop rod. I need to get some red ABS now so I can make them accent the rest of the Thunder package red trim.
Allows me to prop the cover up like this, and drive with both rods attached. Allows for better access/use of the bed without completely removing the bed cover.
I like it! Thanks for the picture and explanation.Allows me to prop the cover up like this, and drive with both rods attached. Allows for better access/use of the bed without completely removing the bed cover.
Thanks. The color plus black appearance package is what sold me on this Ranger. I really liked the Tangerine Scream Focus ST, but didn't want another FWD car at the time. When I saw a Ranger in this color on the lot, I had to look at it. My local dealer had ordered 3 like this almost back to back. I saw the first in Oct and looked, but didn't buy while thinking and it was gone. In November they got this one and I moved a bit faster to secure it. Then, in December they got the 3rd, a 22MY so more deleted things. Luckly that is just bulky stuff with minimal weight, tent, helmet and timing equipment. The trailer I attached before going to the track is the real weight at over 6,000lb.
At least your not wearing your Speedo !!!As I wrote at the end, you only need a breaker bar and a 15mm ratchet without the need to drop the spare or remove the rear tires.
I had a nice summer afternoon to fiddle so I went nuts to play with air tools and my new US-made bottle jack (and my 40+ year old US jack stands). I agree with you that I went bananas plus I had never checked the spare. =)
And my phenomenal physique benefited from making this a big production! Gotta keep this Adonis-like body in top Speedo form! =D
actual image of me doing the shocks last weekend =p
Well done. Are you going to trim the front bumper next to match the new fender line?Went offroading last night. New 35s decided to claim another fender flare. So today I decide to do a “flare chop” and cut the whole flare section out of the fenders. I like the way it turned out and no more rubbing. Could maybe fit some 37s next time I buy tires!! Went back out offroading to the same trail as before and only thing I rubbed was full locked on the forward crash bar brackets. So those will be cut completely off next. I also had a big whoopsy on the trail and almost ran into a big rock wall head on…. Going too fast in a wash and the turn came up quicker than I wanted. Smashed the brakes and abs kicked in and I didn’t think I would stop. Had to whip it up another trail but still manage to catch a rock hard with the passenger front and thought I busted my wheel or blew a tire. The tire “burped” from 13 psi to 7 tho. But checked it over and nothing bent or cut or anything.
