Am I missing Something? OME and Shocks install details

[ZeroSix]

So:
I took the truck to the shop. Ready to swap my stock coils to OME 913, and shocks to the Ranchos.
I get under. Lift the truck one corner, rear wheels off the ground. Full rear flex. get under, cannot remove stock spring.

So here are the burning questions:
- Does the stock spring simply slide out? do you need a compressor? do you need to remove the shocks first.
- To install OME 913 with the daystar spacers: do you need to compress?
- How do you test if shocks need replacing?
- Can you run the 913 with shock shocks?
- Where is the lift points for the truck ?

Thank you in advance!

[89Vette]

Without reading through it again (after reading it in 2013ish), I am thinking this tread answers most all your questions.

http://www.vehicross.info/showthread.php/15476-The-913-Experiment?highlight=OME913

[ZeroSix]

I saw this post. there was an install link that i could not get to work.

[Thelgord]

- Does the stock spring simply slide out? do you need a compressor? do you need to remove the shocks first.
From the manual:
1.Raise the vehicle and support the frame with suitable safety stands.
2.Support the rear axle case with a jack.
3.Remove the parking brake cable bracket from the trailing link.
4.Disconnect the stabilizer bar at the stabilizer link.
5.Remove the shock absorber from the axle case.
6.Remove spring insulator.
7.Remove the lower insulator and coil spring while lowering the rear axle case.

You may need to remove the shock in order for the axle to drop far enough, or you can compress the spring.



- To install OME 913 with the daystar spacers: do you need to compress?

Yes.



- How do you test if shocks need replacing?

1) Visually inspect each shock looking for leaks, dents, or other signs of damage. If noticed, replace regaurless of shock effectiveness. Damaged shocks can cause major accidents.

2) Perform a bounce test. Place you weight on one corner and get it bounce up and down. Then stop and note if the corner keeps bouncing. It should stop immediately. For a reference you can try this on a newer vehicle and see about how long the vehicle takes to stabilize.

3) If they are the factory shocks, they probably need replacing after more than 100k miles and nearly 20 years.



- Can you run the 913 with shock shocks?

From everything I have read online, yes you can, though I have never personally tried it.



- Where is the lift points for the truck ?

From the manual:
Lifting Point; Front
- When using a floor jack, lift on the center of the skid plate.
Lifting Point; Rear
- Position the floor jack at the center of the rear axle case when lifting the vehicle.

There are also four "support points", two places on each side of the frame. These are for jack stands, or for use with a shop lift.