Installed: Bilstein Rear Shocks

[54warrior]

My Bilstein Shocks and Total Chaos Shackles arrived today. Thanks GREG !!!! I installed the shocks earlier this evening. Went alright, had some problems with the PS lower bolt, it was being temperamental. Took me much longer than it should have. Most of my larger tools are back at my parents house 250 miles away. I had to go and buy a 19mm wrench and a 19mm deep well socket.

I had the driver side on in about 15 mins. The passenger side took a bit longer because of the lower bolt and needing the deep well socket for the upper bolt. Drove to the parts store with one Bilstein and one ProComp shock. I could easily tell a big difference between the two. I'm gonna go for a short ride here in a bit to get the true effect. If it's what I expect, I can only imagine that it will have me craving for replacement front c/o's.

Shackles need painted and probably won't install them untill Memorial Day whenever I have access to ALL of my tools and a better area to work in, instead of the parking lot at my apartment complex. My neighbors probably think I'm insane because of the amount of time I spend out there doing stuff to this thing.

Anyway here's some pictures, you sunny SoCal guys take notice of what the salted roads does to everything here in PA.

[jaho1979]

They look nice! Good luck with the shakles when you do them, do you have the bed side lockbox?

[JAZZMAN40]

Nice setup, do the shackles lower the rear?

[54warrior]

Originally Posted by jaho1979

They look nice! Good luck with the shakles when you do them, do you have the bed side lockbox?

Nope, no lockbox, Greg told me that should make things a heckuva lot easier!!!

[jaho1979]

Originally Posted by JAZZMAN40

Nice setup, do the shackles lower the rear?

Yes, they lower it about 3/4 of an inch, and are much stronger than the stockers.

[JAZZMAN40]

Originally Posted by jaho1979

Yes, they lower it about 3/4 of an inch, and are much stronger than the stockers.

If you don't mind, how much?
I think these would be a nice change!

[jaho1979]

Originally Posted by JAZZMAN40

If you don't mind, how much?
I think these would be a nice change!

I don't have them, but here they are on PRG's website, scroll towards the bottom.

http://www.prgproducts.com/titan_rear.php

[54warrior]

I think it was $320 or $330 for the shocks and shackles shipped. $150 for the shackles.

[SDTitan1]

Originally Posted by 54warrior

you sunny SoCal guys take notice of what the salted roads does to everything here in PA.

look at the bright side 54, you don't have the incredible housing costs and gas prices aren't quite as high ....

congrats on the additional suspension components, did you get the shackles to lower rear a bit or just cuz they're stronger....or both?

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by 54warrior

Nope, no lockbox, Greg told me that should make things a heckuva lot easier!!!

It saves about 30 minutes - 15 minutes to pull the box and 15 minutes to put it back.

The shackles are not that difficult to install, although there are some dubious instructions posted on other Titan forums about driving the shackle bolts out with a drift (which is likely to mess up the threads). Don't fall for that. If you jack up and support the frame of the truck on jack stands, you can control the tension on the spring shackles with a floor jack under the pumpkin, such that you can just unloosen and slip the shackle bolts out. PRG posted some correct instructions somewhere.

With all the salt action, you might want to start spraying the shackle bolts with penetrating oil (WD-40 etc.) a few days in advance.

If you ignore the stuff about messing with the U-bolts and pinion angle shims, the link below gives a pretty good description. Also, I did not find any need to bend any pinch weld.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...ring/index.php

[54warrior]

Originally Posted by SDTitan1

did you get the shackles to lower rear a bit or just cuz they're stronger....or both?

Mainly because they are stronger, but lowering the rear 3/4" won't be too big of a deal either.

Originally Posted by bestatchess

It saves about 30 minutes - 15 minutes to pull the box and 15 minutes to put it back.

The shackles are not that difficult to install, although there are some dubious instructions posted on other Titan forums about driving the shackle bolts out with a drift (which is likely to mess up the threads). Don't fall for that. If you jack up and support the frame of the truck on jack stands, you can control the tension on the spring shackles with a floor jack under the pumpkin, such that you can just unloosen and slip the shackle bolts out. PRG posted some correct instructions somewhere.

With all the salt action, you might want to start spraying the shackle bolts with penetrating oil (WD-40 etc.) a few days in advance.

If you ignore the stuff about messing with the U-bolts and pinion angle shims, the link below gives a pretty good description. Also, I did not find any need to bend any pinch weld.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...ring/index.php

Thanks for the info. That is why I'm waiting till I'm back home. I don't have the proper stuff at my apartment to jack the truck high enough to let the rear end sag. I think of it simlarly to removing the swingarm/shock/linkage on the rear end of my quad. It's basically the same idea as far as getting the bolts out.


You mention using the WD-40. I recently bought a can of CRC Freeze-Off. WOW, this stuff is great. It works better than any other penetrating lubricant that I have EVER used. Highly recommend it.


Again, thanks for the comments/tips.

[54warrior]

Used some Dupli-Coler Truck Bed Spray Can Coating to paint my Total Chaos Shackles tonight. Not sure what the long term durability of this stuff, but I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out so far.

Here is a pic...

[bestatchess]

Pretty snazzy.

[TexTheTitan]

Looks good....even better like this: