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  #1  
Old 05-22-2013, 10:55 PM
Mudrucker Mudrucker is offline
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Default 2001 Shock or Struts

Looking to do a little suspension work on my 2001 2wd ranger. When I go over bumps it's really bouncy. Research tells me that's the struts. A few questions: Are the "struts" the same as the "shocks"? I'm thinking of the tubelike thing that goes in the center of the spiral coil in the front suspension. Also, If the "shocks" are I fact what I'm needing to change, is the spring compression tool 100% necessary? I saw a video of somebody simply taking the tire off unscrew and then slide the old one out the bottom of the coil and sliding up a new one after compressing the front shocks with another jack. Maybe that's the wrong way or something lol.
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Old 05-22-2013, 10:58 PM
2001xlt4d 2001xlt4d is offline
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Default Re: 2001 Shock or Struts

is your truck 2wd drive?
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2001 ford ranger XLT/4.0 sohc./160,000
Mods:Cb/recon third brake light/air silencer mod/new door speakers and h/u / shorty console, 245-75-16 goodyear wrangler duratracs on rock crawler rims. hellas and 03 honeycomb grille.

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Originally Posted by surfer03133 View Post
ya, it can get tough to get the tool to fit in the slot,
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Originally Posted by 2004xlmiller View Post
drilling? id prefer not to drill down there.
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  #3  
Old 05-22-2013, 11:03 PM
Mudrucker Mudrucker is offline
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Yes. 2wd.
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Old 05-22-2013, 11:15 PM
2001xlt4d 2001xlt4d is offline
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Default Re: 2001 Shock or Struts

you will need shocks all around, no need to compress your coils. when you get under your truck, you will see how they mount. the tops can be a bugger, if you must, take your tire off. its pretty simple and straight forward, the rears are the same. just take your time and make sure everything is nice and tight, re tighten everything after 500 or so miles. dont do what i did and cheap out on shocks.. spend the money, you will thank me later
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2001 ford ranger XLT/4.0 sohc./160,000
Mods:Cb/recon third brake light/air silencer mod/new door speakers and h/u / shorty console, 245-75-16 goodyear wrangler duratracs on rock crawler rims. hellas and 03 honeycomb grille.

Quote:
Originally Posted by surfer03133 View Post
ya, it can get tough to get the tool to fit in the slot,
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2004xlmiller View Post
drilling? id prefer not to drill down there.
EDGEMAN4.0 FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!
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  #5  
Old 05-23-2013, 06:02 AM
Mudrucker Mudrucker is offline
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Originally Posted by 2001xlt4d View Post
you will need shocks all around, no need to compress your coils. when you get under your truck, you will see how they mount...
Thanks! You said the tops can be a pain. When I'm doing the front shocks can i simply compress the front end with another jack to give more room for the thread on the top of the shocks?
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  #6  
Old 05-23-2013, 06:05 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: 2001 Shock or Struts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mudrucker View Post
Thanks! You said the tops can be a pain. When I'm doing the front shocks can i simply compress the front end with another jack to give more room for the thread on the top of the shocks?
well, you wont have to worry about room i don't think... but the top nut on the front shocks are on a spindle. that spindle will spin through the shock & make it a big pain to take the top nut off the spindle. if that happens, don't be afraid to hacksaw it off lol
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Old 05-23-2013, 06:56 AM
ABYRA ABYRA is offline
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Default Re: 2001 Shock or Struts

Any suggestions for shocks for my "new" 95 ranger? anyone?
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Old 05-23-2013, 06:59 AM
Vogenitz69 Vogenitz69 is offline
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Originally Posted by ABYRA View Post
Any suggestions for shocks for my "new" 95 ranger? anyone?
Bilstein shocks. They are great
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  #9  
Old 05-24-2013, 05:36 AM
ABYRA ABYRA is offline
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Default Re: 2001 Shock or Struts

thanks i was leaning that way, conformation is nice...guess i have my weekend planned for me.
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  #10  
Old 05-24-2013, 10:34 PM
2001xlt4d 2001xlt4d is offline
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Default

If you want nice ride comfort, you can get the Monroe reflexes. Just never ever get the bottom of the barrel shocks.?
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2001 ford ranger XLT/4.0 sohc./160,000
Mods:Cb/recon third brake light/air silencer mod/new door speakers and h/u / shorty console, 245-75-16 goodyear wrangler duratracs on rock crawler rims. hellas and 03 honeycomb grille.

Quote:
Originally Posted by surfer03133 View Post
ya, it can get tough to get the tool to fit in the slot,
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2004xlmiller View Post
drilling? id prefer not to drill down there.
EDGEMAN4.0 FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!
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  #11  
Old 05-26-2013, 11:28 AM
ABYRA ABYRA is offline
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Default Re: 2001 Shock or Struts

appreciate it. Ive heard that from several sources....
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  #12  
Old 05-26-2013, 12:40 PM
dfpgnm dfpgnm is offline
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Default Re: 2001 Shock or Struts

Quote:
Originally Posted by robertmcclure View Post
well, you wont have to worry about room i don't think... but the top nut on the front shocks are on a spindle. that spindle will spin through the shock & make it a big pain to take the top nut off the spindle. if that happens, don't be afraid to hacksaw it off lol
I've used a pipe wrench to hold the top spindle. Easier than the hacksaw, not as easy as a sawzall.
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  #13  
Old 05-27-2013, 11:11 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: 2001 Shock or Struts

Quote:
Originally Posted by dfpgnm View Post
I've used a pipe wrench to hold the top spindle. Easier than the hacksaw, not as easy as a sawzall.
lol whatever it take haha! if had a big pipe wrench i bet i'd a used ot too ... good idea btw
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  #14  
Old 05-27-2013, 11:17 AM
dfpgnm dfpgnm is offline
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Default Re: 2001 Shock or Struts

Quote:
Originally Posted by robertmcclure View Post
lol whatever it take haha! if had a big pipe wrench i bet i'd a used ot too ... good idea btw
Actually, it was a rather small pipe wrench (clearance) but with a BF piece of pipe on the end for leverage!
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  #15  
Old 05-29-2013, 07:15 AM
SteveKing84 SteveKing84 is offline
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Default Re: 2001 Shock or Struts

How are you guys tightening the top bolt when you change the shocks over? I don't have an impact wrench, and the bolt just keeps spinning. Should I use vice grips to hold the top while tightening or is there a cleaner more proper way?
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