On vacation this week. I got the bright idea I would replace the shocks on my 02 FX4 Screw. Very first shock, I've been working on it since last night. Driver side rear, lower mounts came out easy, upper bolt seized. 11/16" deep socket fits better than any thing else, although 18mm fits the front shocks perfect. I've resorted to un plugging the 12v system and pulling wire back and cutting the top off though a hole in the frame. No room, everything seized...What a bastard!

Any one else have so much trouble with poor upper shock mount design?

 

they're a royal PITA but possible.

 

Sawzall. Or if they're rusty, pull the bottom out and back in as far as you can until it snaps. Use a wratchet wrench to get the top but on.

 

Just pull the bed off and they're easy to replace.

 

Maybe it's not such a bad idea. Pic with bed removed.

If you can loosen the 6 torx T50 bolts in the bed, I would go for it. 3 bolts on the gas cap, un-snap wiring harness for tail lights, and lift off!

 

Do not attempt to remove your bed to replace your shocks.

If you have trouble right now removing a shock, getting the bed bolts out will be more hassle.

 

Got the drivers side rear done, I though the other side would be easier as I could actually see it clearly. Nope, top of the thread is immediately under one of the cross pieces of the bed. I don't think I'm going to try to budge it, sawzall is the tool of choice here as well.

 

Exactly what I was thinking. If you have rusty shock bolts, the bed will be just as bad or worse.

I had no issue getting mine off luckily, but no salt used around here.

 

I bought my truck a couple years ago, dealer brought it down from NY. Looked reasonably good then, but the underbody has deteriorated quickly. Just rolled over 70,000 but I'll have to do rockers and cab corners soon. Bed cross members rotting through, everything forward of the bed looks pretty good underneath. Bed will need to come off and clean up the entire rear end and bed eventually. Won't attempt that today

 

i didn't have NEAR as much trouble in my passenger side as my driver side.