Shock install help

[marcwithaC]

Alright, so I'm trying to install my lift on my ex and the shocks didn't come with any hardware other than the bushing and sleeve. So, my question is, can you re-use the old top mounts for the shocks? I tried to get them out but can't. Maybe I tried wrong or something. Does anyone know or have any ideas? Also if I have to buy new mounts, can you get them anywhere or will I have to order them?

Thanks,

Marc

 

[seth247]

I'm confused.

The shocks came with the metal sleeve and it's rubber insert welded on the bottom, but only the bolt sticking out of the top? No rubber bushings or steel washers for the top.

Is this what your saying?

 

[marcwithaC]

Yes and no. The shocks did not come with any hardware for the top. The bottom is fine I can reuse the bolts and it came with bushings and the sleeve but I have nothing for the top. So, is there anyway to re-use the top mount from the old shocks?

 

[seth247]

I forgot to ask. Are we talking about front back Or both?

From what I remember from taking my shocks off a few days ago. The bottom washer and rubber bushings from the top were attached to the front shock. Bit that could be cause mine have been on for a whle and were rusted.

The back have a welded metal sleeve and bushings on both ends and the top has a kind of flattened bar going through the bushing and it screws to the frame.

If your talking about the front, then yes they should have come with the washers and bushings.

And the back should have come with the flattened metal bar in the top.

 

[marcwithaC]

Its the rear, sorry I didn't specify. And no, they didn't come with the metal bar. For the top.

 

[seth247]

ok yes they should have. At least mine did anyway. But no matter. You should be able to get the old one out of the old shocks with some persuading.

I'd try some penetrating lubricant(wd40) and vice grips and just twistem
And workem out. Or if you have a vice you could press em
Out.

I don't think there should be any problems with reuseimg the old en if it's in decent shape.

 

[marcwithaC]

Alright thanks man.

 

[Four0Sport]

when you ordered your lift did you specify it was an explorer? since the lift fits a ranger as well as an explorer most companies just toss shocks for a ranger in the kit and they ARE different than ones for explorers. if i were you i would call and get the right shocks. you can press out the mount from your old shocks but hey, you spent money on a lift and might as well get the right parts, right? just my opinion.

when i ordered my lift from RoughCountry the guy i spoke to was very knowledgable when it came to TTB lifts. right away he asked if i was going to be doing a SOA swap in the rear or keeping the stock setup and made sure he noted that i needed rear shocks for an explorer.

 

[marcwithaC]

That might be my problem. It is actually a kit for a ranger because skyjacker doesn't make a 4" lift kit for an explorer. So that could be the problem. Hmmmmm, yeah I guess I didn't figure that the shocks were different but I was informed it would work correctly so. Ugh, just another bump in my whole instal process... Do you think that those mounts are available to just buy?

 

[seth247]

i doubt you can get them by themselves.

maybe itd be best to get some 4" over shocks for an explorer. those ones for the ranger might not be built to take the weight of the explorer rear end. but i dont know.

call up the place you got the lift and see if they'le send you the right ones.

if not then just use the ranger ones with the old bar and call it good!

 

[marcwithaC]

Yeah, the shocks don't support the truck though, the leafs do. All the shocks do is make it so your car doesn't bounce when you go down the road which causes tire wear. So, that shouldn't be a problem. Besides my ex is gutted so its pretty darn light. Also I noticed while intalling, or a lack of, that they didn't send me all the mounting parts so hopefully the mounts are in there. I have to call and see whats going on. Otherwise I'll see if I can ship them back saying that I got the wrong ones or whatever.


By the way does anyone know how ranger shocks are mounted in the rear? Is it the same as the explorers?

 

[seth247]

yes but the shocks are only built to take the force exerted by a rangers weight. But since your gutted I very much doubt it will matter. And I doubt I would matter anyway.

 

[marcwithaC]

Yeah true, but if you think about it, you can put X amount of weight in the back of a ranger bed and the shocks have to compensate for that as well. Either way the shocks are for explorers too (just looked) so I'm fine.

 

[seth247]

Cool. Is your lift done except the shocks? Have you manaed to removed the old mount bar from the sleeve?

 

[marcwithaC]

Nope not done at all actually. We got the shocks off and then realized that we didn't have all the hardware for the rest of it. I guess I was thinking we re-used the old stuff, but then I looked at what I ordered and it is suppose to come with a bunch of other things that I didn't get. So, they are sending it all out and I'm hoping that the mounts are in there.