How to Build a Truck With Coilover Shocks

Coil-over shock absorbers use a normal shock body with an attached coil spring to increase the towing or loading capacity of a truck. The shocks are usually placed in the rear, where the loads can be heaviest. Extreme off-roading can be tough on shocks, prompting the owner to use coil-over shocks on all four wheels. The average backyard mechanic can build a truck up with coil-over shocks in about two hours.

Things You'll Need

• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Socket set
• Screwdrivers
• Snips

Instructions

1. Lift the truck with the floor jack by placing the jack head onto a frame rail and pumping the lever until the wheel is in the air. Place a jack stand on the frame rail for support.

2. Remove the wheel by turning the lug nuts counterclockwise and pulling the wheel from the hub.

3. Remove the lower shock mount bolt by turning it counterclockwise. The shock will not slide from the bolt at this time.

4. Turn the upper-shock mount bolt counterclockwise until the bolt can slide out from the shock eyelet. The shock can now slide off of the lower mount and be removed from the truck.

5. Replace the shock with the coil-over model, checking clearances with the exhaust and suspension. The added spring on the shock body makes it wider; this can interfere with the tailpipe, muffler and rear leaf springs. Front coil-over shocks are typically shorter and thinner, but can still bump into wheel well coverings or the well itself. Position the shock into the top mount first, securing the bolt by sliding it through the eyelet and turning the bolt clockwise, holding the nut with a wrench. Cut the keeper strap on the shock and slide the bottom eyelet over the lower mount bolt, then turn the mount nut clockwise.

6. Replace the wheel by turning the lug nuts clockwise, in an alternating pattern.

7. Lower the truck from the jack stand by using the floor jack. Turning the floor jack's pressure screw counterclockwise will drop the truck.

8. Repeat the entire procedure on the remaining shocks.

Tips & Warnings

• Some coil-over shock are adjustable by twisting the shock body; be sure all are set to the same compression rate.

• Use caution when working underneath a vehicle.

References

• Coilover Front Shock Conversion
• Replacing Rear Shocks
• KYB AGX shock install

Resources

• What Shocks and Struts Do