So last weekend I installed four KYB shocks on my Nissan Frontier.

Total time spent on the job = 2 hours.

Today I put four Bilsteins on my 98 4WD F150

Total time spent on the job = 5 hours.

The problem is really a combination of the stiffness of Bilstein shocks and the fact that Ford makes it so tough to get to the upper bolts in the rear.

Due to shock stiffness, I wasn't able to simply push the shocks into position with brute force. I had to use a jack.

In the front I also had problems with the shock not being long enough for the nut to be able to "grab" some threads when attaching the top of the shock. I finally had to put the tire back on and lower the truck just to be able to put this nut on the top.

Removing the spare tire helped some in the rear but Ford could have made the upper bolts easier to get to. Got a lot of bloody knuckles on that one and having to use the allen wrench was a pain.

I hope the Bilsteins last as long as they say so I don't have to do that job again.

 

Oh my f'n God, I couldn't agree more. What a pain in the *** some stuff. You have to have alot of different tools too. It actually prompted me to buy the tools I was missing, like 18 mm stuff. I actually put the jack under the one side of the front to JUST get the nut threaded. Man, I was sore for 3 days after. The shocks were bad though, some replacement was needed, especially on the front. Alot of noises seemed to disappear too. It was an experience, my 64 Galaxie was 1000 times more easy. The ride of the Bilstiens is much improved.

 

I guess my body lift made my rear shocks a lot easier to install. I didn't have any problems with the rear shocks.

 

Yeah, funny about the 18mm stuff. I have something like 8 socket sets--all have 17mm and 19mm but no 18mm! Having run into this problem before, I had one 18mm socket. Two would have been better.

My muscles are sore, too. It was a good workout putting these on.

Like you, my front shocks were worse than the rears--no rebound left when compressed. Rears still had some rebound. I'm glad I just replaced them all and got it done with.

I can see where having a lift might help some with the clearance when putting these on.

 

you dont need to lift the truck off the ground to do shocks, unless you needed more room to work. in that case put the stands under the control arm, and axles.

 

I was talking about Wandell's body lift not literally lifting the truck.

 

I know i was talking about lifting off the ground for service with a jack

here is what i read:

 

Couldn't agree more. I installed 2 sets, both front and rears on a 2000 Scab and a 2003 Screw, both were a PITA... I didn't have too much trouble with the rears, but ran into the exact same problem with the fronts.

A little trick I learned on this site for anyone who is planning on instally them in the future. Take the rubber bushings for the front and thorw them in a vice. Compress the bushings as much as possible and get the shock all lined up. Then quickly remove the compressed bushing and throw it on. You should have a few seconds before it starts to expand to thread the nut on top. This woprked pretty well for me.

For as much as a pain the fronts are to install, they are still well worth it IMO. Best shock on the market. Been very happy with them.