replacing rear shocks

[oneway]

how hard is it? Do I need any special tools?

[Ranger Dave]

have you even looked at um???

[oneway]

I've looked at them online to know they are very cheap. Underneath the truck they are very old obviously.

I am going to be doing a lot of towing next year and what to make sure the suspension can handle it. It's a very light trailer - however when I roll over a speed bump without the trailer the front end has a nice cushion feel but the rear just rolls over the bump and squats...very hard, there's not bounce or rebound. Not sure if that's the shocks or the leafs.

Trust me if I could find a service manual that isn't so expensive or take forever to get here - I wouldn't be asking such a noob question - I'd have my hands dirty already.

[didittwice]

Well what he mean is it is self explanatory if you look at them One bolt holds it at the axle and stud with a nut at the top it should compress eazy pop it out the new ones come with a handy dandy strap on it all ready compressed put your bolt in the axle mount and aim and cut the strap it will go in the top mount if your aim is good don't for get you rubber bushing. Now be for all of that look at you leaf they might be sagging and weak you can get new or use I went with a helper spring the short one after having it I wish I went the longer one or just got different springs .

[oneway]

ah - I see what Ranger Dave did there lol.

Well that sounds easy enough. The truck doesn't have to be on a jack or jack stands for the shock or leaf replacement does it?

This is a turn key truck that I got for $685 with minor problems. She treated me well last Winter through heavy snow and icy hills - so I figure I'll toss some money and elbow grease at her other than gas and oil changes.

appreciate your advice!

[04sd]

Well that sounds easy enough. The truck doesn't have to be on a jack or jack stands for the shock or leaf replacement does it?

To answer your question, no the truck does not need to be on jack stands to change the shocks, but yes it does to change the springs. To be honest, if you need to ask for advice on changing shocks, swapping out the leaf springs is beyond your ability at this time.
On one of your other posts you asked about changing the trans oil, that you could do but it's messy. Buy a filter & gasket kit. Pull the pan off of the bottom of the trans, there is no drain plug, be careful a few gallons of oil will dump out. There will be instruction in the kit to replace the filter. reinstall the pan and add oil.

[oneway]

wouldn't say it's out of my ability. I dropped and parted 2 motorcycle engines with nothing more than a manual and a some free time. I spend 90% of my time on motorcycles - this is my first 4 wheeled vehicle that I've had to work on. Like I said, if I had a service manual - I wouldn't ask such questions. But thanks for the trans fluid info and letting me know if the truck has to be on jack stands. Since I don't have a manual, I'd like to know what I can do before I attempt it because it's pretty cold riding on the bikes around this time of year. I'll still search for info on the leaf springs.



I'm no stranger to tools or anything.

[Ranger Dave]

Like I said, if I had a service manual

if you need a service manual to change rear shocks crawl under it,have a look before ya ask

[zookeyknee]

When Ifirst got my Bll 87 5 spd one of the first things I did was new shocks I bought Monro mid priced shocks ie the next ones up from the cheapest. I armed myself with a good electric impact wrench and socket set . It made short work on the front lower bolts the nut is in the framework and youll need a wrench to hold it. Now the back shocks upper bolts are wedged along the gas tank skid plate and impossible to put power to it and a little scary for the old reliable of heating til cherry red that will get out the stubbernest bolt off. I used a 20 inch breaker bar 1/2 in drive and they broke free with ease after destroying mine and a friends 3/8 sockets. so when changeing shocks dont attempt it without the right tools as I learned the hard way. Then after a year my rear end went out and after paying a small fortune to put in a used one That needed almost everything external replaced. My mechanic said My front shocks were bad I went to advance auto w the warrenty and recieved a substantial upgrade because even though they said the bad shocks were what it called for they couldnt take a year on my Bll which I drive like an old man most of the time. so get good shocks since I had to eat the labor to re-re place them.Ford Man 4-ever

[oneway]

Good to know - I have plenty breaker bars - thanks!

lol - I did a lot of crawling under the truck today - found some wicked crazy shit - not in a good way. Saying I need a service manual is so I wouldn't have to ask and so I know what I'm lookin at when I do crawl under.