I have a 98 f150 4wd with the torsion bars in the front. So my question is how hard is it to change the front and rear shocks? Is it just unbolt the old ones and bolt on the new ones? Anything special needed etc.?

 

Yes, that is pretty much it. The problems will always be with the top bolts. Always spray the bolts, top and bottom starting a few days early with something like PB Blaster or other penetrating oil. The top rears are the hardest as there is little room to work with wrenches. Best choice there is a ratcheting box end wrench. I believe a 15MM.

 

any tips on doing this to make the job easier? removing wheels?, jacking truck up?

 

Not really, I did mine with all 4 on the ground with no problem. Just turned the front for better access. As I said the top rear is going to be the bear, especially if rusted. Keep a hacksaw around, that my be needed. I had to do that on one of my trucks when I changed the shocks. Nut would only turn off so far. Fortunately enough so I could get a hacksaw under it.

 

I agree.

 

ok, thanks

 

i just changed mine on my '98 the other day. and like said before the top rear was the hardest to do. there just isnt alot of room to work. i decided to take the tires off just to give me more room. be sure to loosen the top bolt as much as you can before you undo the bottom bolts on the rear. the bottom bolt will hold the shock in place and keep in aligned better, just makes it easier to get out

 

ok, well i can't wait to do them, i heard you can notice a difference, and plus i bought the rancho's high pressure gas or whatever... But i want to thank everyone for all the advice!!!!

 

if you have anymore questions dont hesitate to ask

 

well i just tried to take them off, and well i couldn't get them off. I figured i'll try again tomorrow, but for the top of the shock, i'm just going to just cut them off because i tried to loosen them, and there just so rusted. As for the bottoms, i can't really get a good angle to loosen them. So if i can loosen the bottom bolts, i'll change them, if not, i guess i need to have my mechanic do it.

 

sucks man. btw on the top rear bolt. there are 2 bolts. one, which is below the top one. you have to hold in place with a wrench so that it doesnt spin. and then you can loosen the top bolt.

 

i just looked, i only see one.....

 

and besides, if i can get the bottoms off of all of them, i'm just going to take a saw-all and cut the top ones off....

 

well i changed all 4 shocks, and what a pain in the ***.... I bottom bolts on all four shocks were so tight they bent the metal brackets. Well since they were so tight, i rounded the bolt, to use that other socket thats meant for rounded bolts, heated it up till glowing red, then took my impact rachet and went to town. But anyways there finally done, and what an amazing ride!

 

I had put the RS 5000s on my 01 4x4. Ride was OK. They do look nice however.
One thing to be careful of. The boots that come with the shocks have drain holes at the bottom. Do not cover them up with the shock body. Water can collect and damage the upper shock rod. This happened to mine and in one year needed to replace one of the rears. It was leaking pretty bad.

Good luck with yours.

BY the way, I replaced the OEM shocks at about 110K. Had them tested at Ford. Both were still functioning within limits, even with one leaking slightly.