Gen1 font shock removal

[castine917]

The used ones I saw had a schrader added to one of the rears.
Don't really know if I would be able to take advantage of that, especially since only one of the two has it added.
Really leaning more towards just getting new set, I guess...
but as cheap as I am we'll see as it gets closer.
Trying to wrench on a couple old John Deere tractors to keep the driveway plowed.

The advantage of a schrader is just so you can check the pressure like you do on a tire. By keeping the pressure in a zone keeps ride from being too stiff or too soft. They should be set and forget but if you ever wonder if they've lost pressure you can check without taking everything apart. That can prevent buying an unneeded replacement too soon later down the road. I figured at $2000 a set I didn't want to buy earlier than needed again since I wasn't 100% sure my last set were truly bad.

 

[robinthepilot]

Coilovers don’t work that way. The spring is captured by the shock body and top mount. If you were to remove the top nut on the shock stud while still in the vehicle the spring would shove the lower control arm down so tight that you would not be able to remove anything. Not to mention that the stored energy in that spring could kill you if not handled properly.

Removing the coilover assembly is not that difficult. Swapping springs is another story altogether. Without experience and proper tools it’s an accident waiting to happen.

Oh… anytime you change the suspension height, your alignment will be affected. In the case of going low to mid perch, the most noticeable would likely be that your steering wheel is off center a little due to a change in toe.

 

[robinthepilot]

Actually you can take the centre nut off and lower the control arm down and there is no spring pressure left with the control arm all the way down. Just pull it all out and no need for a spring compressor.

 

[Ruger]

Actually you can take the centre nut off and lower the control arm down and there is no spring pressure left with the control arm all the way down. Just pull it all out and no need for a spring compressor.

And then what? How do you put it back together without a spring compressor?

 

[EricM]

Going back depends on the length spring you are putting back and what perch you choose. Might need a compressor in some cases. Just swapping out shocks with stock springs should not require one.

Removal:

 

[rschap1]

That does seems to contradict what some others have said, and after thinking it through doubt I will be trying to do it in that manner.
BUT, I could see being able able to unload the springs by doing that; unbolting the top and then unloading the suspension by raising the truck up while lower control arm drops.
THEN
putting the bottom end of shock back on control arm, lower the jack-lowering the truck-raising control arm, re-loading weight on the spring compressing it, aligning the top of shock where it belongs, and then replacing the nut to put it all back in place...
in theory I guess.
Snap ring and lower end would have to be in place while dropping the jack.
Obviously I am just trying to picture this going on in my head.
NO IDEA if any of this is possible, but wondering.

AND
since I am back on the topic...
I see this ad for 2019-2020 gen 2 take off shocks.
I have done a little searching and posted on a couple other threads, BUT just to make sure I know...
These are "live valve-active" needing electronic input shocks, correct??
And would need some sort of adapter for the top of the fronts?
Assuming a good upgrade for a Gen 1, but don't think I want to get into adding a controller if needed or anything like that.
BUT if an easy bolt on upgrade for factory shocks, I hate to pass it up.
Appreciate it if anyone can take a look and know what they are looking at, what it would take to go from Gen1 stock to these.
ANOTHER BIG thanks !!