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Yea now that we are talking about it the guy who wanted $469 surely should have told me the weight I have and explained that I needed a stronger set since he did "so many" of them. Anyway for less than he wanted I'm getting all new everything and I'm sure stronger too.
EDIT- Actually for <$22 more than the $469 ($491) I am getting all new leaf springs, shackles, shocks and bushings. I ended up choosing the Monroe 34780.
Last edited by onemore94dak; Apr 26, 2018 at 05:04 PM.
I finally got to it today. I've done one side in 4 hours one break. Rain has started again. Might have to wait a couple more days to get the other side. I did the shock first thinking it would be the hardest part. It came with a strap that held it compressed so I attached the top end first got everything lined up and cut the strap. It decompressed slow. I think the wide spot is past the hole and you can get it in and use a screw driver or chisel to pry it back to line up the holes. Things the FSM does not mention, have a mirror and a light handy for the tight dark spots especially if you are working off jack stands. This helps line up the hole from the back side where you have to push the bolts back through. It was much harder than the shocks. The hanger may have been over compressed. On the top shackle I has to use an old bolt to push it the last 1" or so with a hammer. they all had to have a hammer to drive them into place except the bottom new shackle onto the new leaf. I'm glad I did this I would have hated having to replace the bushings.
I'm lucky in the fact that I pulled the bed off and put the frame on jackstands before I started removing all the rear suspension parts. Made it alot easier to work with. Post some pics of your progress
I'm lucky in the fact that I pulled the bed off and put the frame on jackstands before I started removing all the rear suspension parts. Made it a lot easier to work with. Post some pics of your progress
Its parked in the right spot for pulling the bed but my comealong that I lift it off and hang it from broke a couple years ago and I never replaced it. I didn't think of pics until the rain was looming so I concentrated on getting it closed up. If it stays clear doing the other side I'll take some and try to get some of the finished work on the other side.
The driver side was mostly easier. I had to unscrew the U bolt nuts all the way until they were loose with a breaker bar. I have some pics. the new bolt for the front from RA is a regular bolt with a lock nut. I ordered 4. Turns out I only needed 2 as the shackles come with 2 bolts. The bolts that came with the shackles are OE style. If anyone knows how to hold the top of the bolt for the top side of the shocks please say so here. You can get the outer one with a normal 1/2 wrench but not the inner.yesterday I wedged it and the nut came off and tightened. This side I only got the outer one off and the inner one loose.There is definitely not a carriage bolt situation but there should be. I have no idea why or how but it tightened up again after I tightened the outer nut and bolt.
I drove it about 10 miles or so and its much different especially cornering.
EDIT- I forgot to mention the OE shackle and leaf bolts have a 21mm head and a 3/4"nut. THE RA bolts and nuts are 3/4 both ends. The top shackle bolt head is inside the frame and I had no thin wall deep sockets so I used a big flat screw driver and wedged it against the flat to hold it while I tightened the nut.
The side I did yesterday
Driver side
Last edited by onemore94dak; May 10, 2018 at 09:06 AM.
It felt less bumpy going over some bumps in my street. It felt tighter and cornered better like it was on rails at highway speeds it did not drift or lean. I've only driven 10 miles or so.
So I've hauled two loads with it. It still drops pretty good but it handles much better. I like how it feels empty as well so its a good deal for me. Funny point I consistently get 5 wheel barrows when I use the little truck and get half yards. On the two yards I got with the dak I got 9 and 8 wheel barrows. so I'm going back to using the little truck cause that adds up at $26 a yard. I'm already $10 bucks down with two loads!
