I just received 4 new billsteins for my stock (mostly) 2001 ford supercab 4x4 5.4 liter. Are there any tips for installing these or is pretty simple not to screw anything up? I just two weeks ago had moog lower and uppper ball joints installed with full alingement, I should not have to worry about doing another alignment correct? What size socket will I need for the shocks? Thanks in advance for any advice you guys have! Ron

 

Just put Rancho's on my gf's 00 yesterday. The rears were a total pain. Reach in from the wheel well and over the frame to get the top bolt off (18mm) Once the shaft starts spinning below put a 18mm open end wrench on the nut on the shaft, I wedged it in pretty well. At first I thought the top nut was a different size due to the gunk on it. I got the top nut off about 3/4 the way then it stripped, DISASTER . Dropped the spare, wedged Visegrips on the top nut and worked the lower nut, the top of the shaft ended up breaking off. The passenger side rear was easier, but the top broke off that side too. Use a breaker bar if you can fit one in there. Bout 2.5 hrs on the rear.

The fronts were much easier. Couple issues though. Put the bottom in first, then the top, if the bottom of the shock doesn't go into the lca easily. I had a hell of a time fitting the shock in the mount on the lca, it was real tight. The fronts were also much harder to expand the shock. I put a 1/2" box end over the top, put the nut on the shaft and carefully expanded it so I could get the bushing and nut back on. 1.5 hrs, mostly lost getting th wheels off and the truck jacked up. Rides much better, we went cheap on the Ranchos, I'm planning Bilsteins for my 05 soon. One complaint about the Ranchos, the nut welded to the shaft was VERY thin, maybe 1/8", if that. MAde it real hard when tightening down the upper nut. Have fun, take your time and if you're rusted up use some PB Blaster.

 

When I did mine, as stated, the rears were a pain. I tried the one side for half an hour to get off, but it wouldn't come off until I hacksawed off the shaft just below the nut. Did the second in about five minutes doing the same thing, get it loose enough to get the blade below the shaft, then hacksaw it off.
I would use some penetrating oil on the top mount as often as you can starting the previous day.
Also if the Bilsteins are the same as when I put mine on, the top of the upper mount post has a hole in it that will allow you to put an allen wrench in to hold the shock while tightening the bolt. Do put anti-seize on the top posts, both front and rear for the next time.