Installed...Here's what I did, hope it helps someone. First, make sure you assemble everything correctly. I misplaced the lower retainer and it did not compress the lower bushing correctly. You can see my mistake between my first and second set of pictures. Next, I had to spin the bump stop so the original shock mount is now on the inside of the spring. This made clearance for the new shock. Tighten the lower shock stud so the lower bushing compresses slightly, the shock should be able to stand vertically in a natural inclination. Next assemble the upper mount to the shock. You can now compress the shock and mark your mounting position. I am about 1/8" to the rear of the first rivet on the frame rail side. Only 3 of the 4 bolt holes will be usable as the frame is not wide enough in relation to the angle that the mount must be positioned. I also reamed all of the bolt holes out to 3/8". From the manufacturer the holes were an odd size, 11/32", and I did not like how sloppy a 5/16" bolt was, especially under the stress that the suspension will produce. You must supply your own mounting hardware, mine is all grade 8, 3/8x1". I may go back and place a 4th bolt in. Once the upper mount is in place, the shocks were torqued to 9-11 ft/lbs., compressed the bushings nicely. And that is a gas shock conversion on the front end of a 461/2 ton pickup. I will add the rear in the future.
Thanks to all the Bolters who added their advice and knowledge.
Ed
Last edited by bigedpa; 03/21/202210:27 AM.
"it's only old if you can't find a use for it; otherwise it's cool and i'll use it."
