Front shocks on today! I know, not a big deal, but progress is progress y'all!
In typical fashion when more than one of something is being changed, at least one has got to be a pain in the arse and in this case it was the second shock (passenger side). The ones on there were KYBs so they had been replaced at some point. The mounting hardware on the driver side came off easy enough and I just needed hand strength (as ample as it is!) to hold the shock to get the top nut off. Slide in the new shock and bolt everything up; done!
Passenger side decided to fight me and for whatever reason the hardware was froze up and some PB Blaster and harsh language and it was out on the top side. The bottom shock bolt was gorilla tight and I felt like I was bench pressing my front end to get it off, and of course the socket I had was trapped on the inside on the mount until I could get it spun all the way off.
I could not get the lower portion of the shock centered in the bushing to drive the mounting bolt to and made an amateur mistake. Since the gas tank is out it won't run and I needed to turn the wheel to get an angle on the bolt and while doing that the PS reservoir puked brand new fluid out. I should have known better but lesson learned. I was smart enough, however (SHOCKING!) to leave the wheels turned until I can get the gas tank back in and the motor running which should be within the week.
Kind of silly observation but the sticker was too long for the shorter front shock so I had to cut it and put it on in two separate pieces...(free advertising for Skyjacker!)
Front coils, rear leafs with helper spring and bushings still come before I can call the suspension a wrap...whew!