Trouble finding the right struts

[d.campbell]

Hi everybody. Just wanted to say I've lurked around here for awhile now and you guys have your stuff together when it comes to these trucks. Unfortunately the search feature just isn't cutting it for me this time.

So...truck info- 2005 2wd ranger, with coil springs up front. I bought it used and already set up with a contractor cap on it. It was a company truck so I hightly doubt any sort of mods were done to it. I know this truck hauled more that its share of weight before I bought it and it's still hauling everyday for me. I've yet to see the rear end sit level.

I recently decided to replace the shocks/stuts because the ride was taking a dive. Picked up all four at the local Autozone and got to work. Rear went as expected. The problem arose when I got to the front.
After I pulled one of the front shocks off I noticed that the threaded stud on top was considerably longer on the stock one than the new one. So much so that the new stud barely sticks through the top of the shock tower. So after I take those two back to the store and drive to every other parts store around I am faced with the fact that nobody has the correct part.

The old ones have a part# on them but my searches turn up nothing. Local dealer used the vin# to check on parts but the number they had didn't match my old shock either.

Am I the only one to run into this issue? Is there something about my truck that is altered? I have to admit, I've thought about buying the replacement ones and welding the old shaft onto the top of it. Not something I really want to do though.

 

[jimmyess333]

Your truck should not have struts at all, only shocks and springs.
That said I'd check the upper rubber bushings that came with the shocks.
Is your old bushing the same size as the new?
Is the old bushing still in place in the hole on the truck while you are trying to use the new one too?
If the new and old bushings are doubled up it will keep the stud from reaching all the way through the hole.
Lastly, I'd lay an old and new shock next to each other and check to see if they are in fact different length studs.

 

[d.campbell]

Your truck should not have struts at all, only shocks and springs.
That said I'd check the upper rubber bushings that came with the shocks.
Is your old bushing the same size as the new?
Is the old bushing still in place in the hole on the truck while you are trying to use the new one too?
If the new and old bushings are doubled up it will keep the stud from reaching all the way through the hole.
Lastly, I'd lay an old and new shock next to each other and check to see if they are in fact different length studs.

True, shocks not struts, habit I suppose.
As far as the bushings go, the new ones that are supplied with the aftermarket shocks are actually a little thinner than the old ones. Even tried mixing and matching to make it work. Definetly not double up, I checked that too. And yes the the stud on the old one is physically longer than any of the aftermarket ones I have looked at. I took an old one with me to compare to the new ones at the all the parts stores after the first time.

 

[Duane867]

You are absolutely sure that the upper bushing that needs to be pressed in and pressed out ( very tough to get in and out with out destroying the old one. ) is not still in the upper mounting bracket ?