I'm going to be replacing my front shocks, so I went to you tube for some insight. The video that I was watching states that you have to remove the upper ball joint and the steering rack arm to make enough clearance for the coil/shock assembly to come out. Has this been everyone's experience when doing front shocks? Or is there enough room to remove without undoing everything?
Thanks Truck is 4x4 05 lariat.

 

I just replaced all my shocks in my 06 4x4. You don't need to remove anything, just disconnect the upper control arm and whatever else may be in the way. You don't need to remove them though.

 

All I did was disconnect the Tie rod end and upper control arm and was able to pull them out. Just make sure you use a torque wrench and tighten everything back to required specs. FYI, the bottom bolt on the struts requires something like 300 ft/lbs so you are going to need a pretty big torque wrench for that bolt.

 

OK thanks. When I said remove, I guess I really meant disconnect. Sounds like what you guys are saying is the same thing the video showed. Once again thanks. After disconnecting and reconnecting the tie Rod end and control am will I need an alignment?

 

I replaced mine with rancho quicklifts, so it really jacked up the alignment. I have always heard you should get one when doing suspension work. Some people say no, but I personally would get one after you are done. My truck felt fine after the work, but after looking at the alignment sheet it was out pretty bad. I think the $60ish alignment is worth my not ruining $1300 tires and any suspension components that could be a little off. Most of this is all personal opinion, but I feel the general consensus around here would be a yes on the alignment

 

If your new shocks change the ride height or any angle of the suspension components, then you will need an alignment.

 

Unless you get the tie rod ends 100% exactly where there were, you need an alignment. It's safer to just get one anyway.

 

I was lucky after doing mine, I guessed as close as I could.... Took it in and was 100% in alignment, so no charge.

Keep the jam nuts as close as you can to were they are when tight on old ends, Screw new tie rod in and tighten, it will be close enough to drive to shop.