Stock suspension replacement question

[CGSFive]

04 XE CC 4X4
replacing the worn out stockers.... did the front struts with no issues whatsoever. cant get the back end high enough off the ground to get the wheel off the ground. the list that i've got only has 15.5 inches of lift, i was wondering if it was possible to change the shocks while the truck was sitting on the ground, the new monroe sensa-track shocks have a "saftey" strap on them to keep them a bit compressed for ease of installation, i held it up to the installed stock shock and it was only about 1.5" longer with the safety strp on it, or do i need to bite the bullet and carry it up to a shop so they can put it on? Thanks for the info.

[RedAlert]

You can install them with the wheels on the ground if you can fit in there. Put the upper shock eye on the stud, then cut the strap and allow the shock to decompress and slip it on the bottom. If you miss, you can compress the shock by hand, it's just a little stiff, not bad at all though

[CGSFive]

Excellent, that is exactly what i was thinking about, just wanted to be sure that the truck would stand on its own with the leaf springs if i pulled the shock off. You think getting the stock shock off will be much of a pain since it will be under load?

[dubie2003]

It shouldn't be too hard. Just make sure you have a BFH and that you take the lower bolt off first. This will prevent the shock from going through the bed of your truck. Work it out slowly and you will be fine.

[CGSFive]

Originally Posted by dubie2003

It shouldn't be too hard. Just make sure you have a BFH and that you take the lower bolt off first. This will prevent the shock from going through the bed of your truck. Work it out slowly and you will be fine.

BFH?
BIG F**k'n Hammer?

Man that was easy as hell. Thanks ya'll for the help and tips, replacing the struts was not bad at all, replacing the shocks was even easier., I can't believe i had half a mind to pay someone to do that. Thanks for the pointers.