First time poster!

Questions on shocks: It's been a while since I've replaced them (so long I can't remember ). Current mileage is ~140K. No "noticeable" issues, but I'm probably past the recommended replacement period and I want a small project. Just got new tires (Cooper Discoverer 265/75/16). I don't haul/tow anything noteworthy often enough to factor in.

• How difficult are they to replace?
• Any special tools required?

Brake shop quoted $400.00+ to replace all 4 (KYB G2's). Seemed way high to me.

I can get a full set of KYB GR-2 / Excel-G for $133.58 or a set of KYB MonoMax for $244.97 from RockAuto (shipped).

For regular highway/street driving, is it worth the extra 100 bucks to get the MonoMax's?

Thanks for your time and advice!

 

:Welcome!!!!!!!!!

personally I am a Pro Comp Shocks Fan. and they are decently priced too.

Pro Comp ES3000 Hyrdo

Front: EXP315517

Rear: EXP324510

total price for all 4 is: 151.96

Pro Comp ES9000 Nirto Charged (my Favorite)

Front: EXP915517

Rear:EXP924510

and 4wp has them on sale for buy 3 get 1 free!!


As far as tools. when i do shock swaps i use a pair of vice grips and a 3/16 gear wrench.

 

Can anyone speak to the ride/cost difference between the Excel-G and MonoMax?

Thanks!

 

HAHA, Boomer, i was about to copy and paste your other post. you beat me to it!

 

Sale ends in 3 hrs. I can get a set of ES9000's for $133.00 (w/o boots) shipped to the store here.

Help me decide!

 

KYBs are good shocks so I hear. You get what you pay for is my opinion on it up until the price gets ridiculous any way. Pretty easy to change on a 2wd

 

Whats The torque specs on the new shocks bolts? Everyone tells me to tighten it a different way- either in pounds, how many threads are showing, how crushed the new bushing is, etc.

Whats correct?

 

yes the bushings should be the same size as the top washer.


BUY THE PRO COMPS!!!! hahahhahah Great ride!!

 

Heh, beat ya to it. Order placed. Thanks for the advice guys. /cheers

I'll let ya know how the install goes.

 

good deal!! Glad i could help!

 

Well, according to the trusty Haynes manual (for 2WD):
Front:
Upper = 35 to 46 ft-lbs
Lower = 22 to 29 ft-lbs
Rear:
Upper = 22 to 29 ft-lbs
Lower = 44 to 60 ft-lbs

 

Yep, got a hold of a ford dealer ship in the next town over and the shop foreman could only find the specs for the front upper. 22-29 is correct according to him. said the rest is good as long as they tight. I suggested 60+ ft pounds and he said that + is about right.

I did 70-80 ft pounds on the top lol.

Wish I never lent out my Haynes manual.

 

Fronts (#915517)



Rears are a bit thicker and come strapped up.

 

Some pics first:
Old Gabriel vs new ES9000


Front shock upper


Front shock lower


Rear upper (no room to work with)


Rear completed

 

1. No instructions were included in the boxes nor were there any to view on Pro Comp's website.
2. Didn't have to remove any of the tires. Just lift and set on jacks. (Stock height, no lift)
3. Front shocks were pretty easy. Took about an hour to do both fronts.
4. Rear was a PITA. First the inserts on the bottom of the old shocks were destroyed, so I had to hammer out the bolt. Top of driver side: took forever to be able to just start the nut on the thread. Had to put the nut on without the metal washer and let it sit for a bit to compress the rubber bushing to be able to thread the nut with the washer in place.
5. Had a hard time tightening the top nuts and preventing the shock shaft from turning. (really takes two people and a set of channel locks)
6. The $20 hydraulic jack from Walmart will not lift high enough to get your truck off the ground. /noob
7. I'm too old for this s*!t.

I accomplished my task of doing it myself, but I think I'll spend the extra $100 to have someone else install them for me next time.

Let me know if you guys have any questions. I only road it around the block a few times for road testing. Not much to report yet.

/cheers