How hard is it to replace shocks?

[Michigander]

Hello. I'm planning on buying new shocks soon and I was wondering how hard it is to replace them on my own. I am fairly mechanically inclined and I do a fair amount of work to my vehicle. Should I attempt this also? Thanks in advance.

 

[JDraper]

Shocks are a piece of cake. On the front, there is one bolt on the top and two on the bottom. You don't even have to take the wheels off. Just turn them to lock and you can access the bolts easily. On the back, there are two on the top and one on the bottom. it helps to remove the spare to do the rear shocks. I changed all four of mine in under an hour and a half with hand tools.

 

[SplashMan]

I have no idea about the front, but I just replaced my rear shocks with explorerProcomps and the hardest part was going to PepBoys to get bolts and nuts to replace the studs that were used to attach the stock shocks. The only tools I used were a rachet and a wrench. Good luck and post any problems you have with the front ones(if any) because those are my next job.

 

[Michigander]

hey splashman

Hey... how do you like those procomps? I am debating between the ProComp 9000 series or spending almost twice as much for the Rancho 9000.

What model did you get and how do you like them?

 

[SplashMan]

Dre gave me a set of ES3000s for free and I put them on right before the Pipeline trip. I like them alot, but the oly comparison I have is verse stock shocks. If I had the money, I would have gotten the Rancho 9000s, but the ProComps were free so I think I am going to stick with the ES3000s and buy two for the front.

 

[Michigander]

Yeah... I know about the money thing. The cheapest Ranchos I could find are $263.... The Procomps are half that!

 

[SplashMan]

Yea, Ranchos are great shocks, but I just can't afford them. Dre has been running the ES3000 on his Explorer for awhile and loves them and I have NO complaints about the ones on the rear. I can sure tell that I have them on tho, because my front bounces while the rear stops right away. I don't know about the ES9000 tho.

 

[Michigander]

The only difference I could find between the 3000 and 9000 in that the 3000 is filled w/ gas (don't know what kind) and the 9000 is filled with Nitrogen, which is supposed to help it under heavier loads. Anyways, there isn't much difference and the 9000 are only $1.80 more per shock.

I definetly can't afford the Ranchos, so they are out of the question.

 

[spiritwolf68]

My wife changed mine while I was at work, and had never touched a car before. I checked them when I got home and they were fine.

 

[Triton46]

Does she have a sister?

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by spiritwolf68
My wife changed mine while I was at work, and had never touched a car before. I checked them when I got home and they were fine.

You are a lucky man to have such a lady.

Buy her dome flowers........

 

[spiritwolf68]

Just an evil one. My wife loves that kind of stuff she helped me with the shackles, add-a leafs, and side rails.
And she modified the air box, installed the ram air induction, and installed the super chip and soldered in the jumpers. And she loves to off road and see what she can do she's impressed me with some of the things she has done.

 

[Triton46]

Excellent!

Well, I went out yesterday and purchased my Gabriel shocks from the local Autozone ($17.99).

I replaced the two rear ones and the job could not have been simpler. The upper bolts came right off but the lower ones were a pain.

The ride is much improved in the rear. I can't wait to change the front ones.