Hello,
I have a 2008 xlt and know nothing about fixing cars or trucks. Can someone tell me what I need to buy for the front and rear? Thanks in advance

 

shocks in the rear and struts in the front

 

You have a few options for struts in the front. It can be a huge pain to replace the struts because you need to compress the coilspring though. Pro comp, rancho, and bilstein are the top budget friendly struts that most people on here use. You could also go with a whole coil over which is a new strut and spring together. As for the shocks in the back, just make sure you get the right part for your truck. Replacing the shock is easy and doesn't require much effort.

 

[QUOTE=slackattack;3826623]You have a few options for struts in the front. It can be a huge pain to replace the struts because you need to compress the coilspring though. Pro comp, rancho, and bilstein are the top budget friendly struts that most people on here use. You could also go with a whole coil over which is a new strut and spring together. As for the shocks in the back, just make sure you get the right part for your truck. Replacing the shock is easy and doesn't require much effort.[/QUOTE
Slack Attack missed one thing.......The bolt for the bottom of the strut in the front is 350ft/lbs and will take some real force if you do not have access to air impact. I purchased Monroe Sense-a-track quick strut (spring and strut already assembled) made the job a lot easier and safer. That strut is under a lot of force be sure everything is in the correct place if you decide to remove the spring. I also used monroes sense-a-track coil over shock for the rear been very happy with them and they have been on for 18 months or so now.

 

I am all for DIY when possible but I took a look at the front struts and said no way. The rear shocks are super easy though, about 10 minutes each side.

 

Replacing the whole front strut assembly is a very easy task. Tearing it and down and replacing the shock in the assembly is a little more involved.

 

Having pulled springs from struts before with the rental spring compressors.

I will never do it again. It is scary as **** the whole time. Spend the few extra bucks for the preloaded struts. Not mention the time to remove the old spring then install it on the new one.

 

You can take your new strut and old strut/spring assembly to a shop and have them change them out for you. Most shops have a nice free-standing spring compressor that makes swapping them quick and easy. Call around and check the price. Then compare it to a new strut/spring assembly, as mentioned above.