1500 Classic - Shock Absorber Replacement 🚚

Got it, we’ll cover both front and rear shocks on your 1500 Classic 4WD. If you only want one end (front or rear), you can just follow that section.

Safety First ⚠️

• 🧯 Work on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Chock the wheels (blocks behind tires) so the truck can’t roll.
• 🛠️ Use jack stands under the frame; never rely only on a jack.
• 😷 Wear gloves and eye protection.

Tools & Parts You’ll Need 🧰

• 🔧 Floor jack (2–3 ton) – to lift the truck.
• 🧱 Jack stands (at least 2, 3-ton) – to safely support the truck.
• 🔩 Socket set (metric):
  • Common sizes: 18mm, 21mm, 24mm for shock bolts.
  • Ratchet and short extension.
• 🔧 Combination wrenches (18mm, 21mm) – to hold nuts while turning bolts.
• 🌀 Breaker bar – long-handled bar to loosen tight bolts.
• 💨 Penetrating oil (like WD-40) – helps free rusty bolts.
• 🔨 Rubber mallet or small hammer – to tap bolts out if stuck.
• 🧵 Torque wrench – tool that tightens bolts to a specific torque.
• 📏 Pry bar – helpful to move suspension slightly if needed.
• 📚 New shocks:
  • Front: complete front shocks/struts for 4WD 1500 Classic.
  • Rear: rear shocks matched to your truck’s 4WD and tow/ride package.

Tip: Replace shocks in pairs (both fronts together, both rears together) so the truck handles evenly.

Important Torque Specs 🔩

• 🧷 Front lower shock bolt: ~125 ft-lb
• 🧷 Front upper mount nuts (stud type): ~30 ft-lb
• 🧷 Rear upper shock bolt/nut: ~75 ft-lb
• 🧷 Rear lower shock bolt/nut: ~100 ft-lb

These are typical values for your truck; if your shock manufacturer lists different specs, follow theirs.

Before You Start – Infotainment & Settings 📱

• 🚫 Your 2020 1500 Classic SLT does not need any special infotainment or electronic suspension settings for shock replacement.
• 🔌 Just make sure the truck is in PARK and the ignition is off.

Rear Shock Replacement (Easier – Start Here) 🔙

1. Prepare and Lift the Rear

• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🔧 Loosen (do not remove) the rear wheel lug nuts about 1 turn with the truck on the ground.
• 🛗 Position the floor jack under the rear axle tube near the shock you’re working on and lift until the tire is just off the ground.
• 🧱 Place jack stands under the frame rails on both sides, then slowly lower the truck onto the stands.
• 🚫 Keep the jack lightly touching the axle as a backup support.
• 🔩 Remove the rear wheel for better access.

2. Remove the Old Rear Shock

• 💨 Spray penetrating oil on the upper and lower shock bolts and let it soak a few minutes.
• 🔩 Lower bolt:
  • Use a 21mm socket on the bolt head and a 21mm wrench on the nut.
  • Break it loose and remove the nut and bolt. You may need to wiggle or slightly raise/lower the axle with the jack to relieve pressure.
• 🔩 Upper bolt:
  • Use an 18mm or 21mm socket (varies by hardware) to remove the upper bolt/nut at the frame.
• 👐 Pull the shock out. You might need to push it in slightly to clear the mounts.

3. Install the New Rear Shock

• 📏 Compare the new shock to the old one to confirm length and mount style match.
• 🔩 Install upper end first:
  • Slide the upper eye of the shock into the frame bracket.
  • Insert the bolt and thread the nut on finger-tight only.
• 🔩 Install lower end:
  • Compress the shock by hand if needed and line up the lower eye with the axle bracket.
  • Insert the lower bolt and thread the nut on finger-tight.
• 🛗 Use the jack to slightly raise or lower the axle until the shock sits naturally without binding.

4. Tighten Rear Shock Bolts to Spec

• 🛗 Ideally, tighten with the suspension at ride height:
  • Raise the axle with the jack until the truck just lifts off the jack stands (simulating normal ride height).
• 🔧 Use the torque wrench:
  • Upper bolt: torque to about 75 ft-lb.
  • Lower bolt: torque to about 100 ft-lb.

5. Reinstall Wheel and Repeat Other Side

• 🛞 Reinstall the wheel and snug the lug nuts by hand.
• 🛗 Lower the truck fully to the ground.
• 🔧 Torque lug nuts in a star pattern to about 130 ft-lb.
• 🔁 Repeat steps 1–4 on the other rear shock.

Front Shock (Strut) Replacement 🔧

The front of your 4WD 1500 Classic uses a coil-over strut (spring and shock together). We’ll replace the whole assembly. Do not disassemble the spring unless you have a proper spring compressor and experience.

1. Prepare and Lift the Front

• 🧱 Chock the rear wheels.
• 🔧 Loosen front lug nuts about 1 turn with the truck on the ground.
• 🛗 Jack under the front crossmember and lift the front of the truck.
• 🧱 Place jack stands under the frame rails on both sides and lower the truck onto them.
• 🔩 Remove the front wheels.

2. Access the Front Strut

• 🔍 Locate the strut:
  • Top: bolted to the strut tower in the engine bay (3 small nuts).
  • Bottom: bolted to the lower control arm.

3. Remove the Front Strut

• 💨 Spray penetrating oil on the lower strut bolt and the upper nuts.
• 🔩 Lower strut bolt:
  • Support the lower control arm with the jack (lightly).
  • Use a 24mm socket and wrench (size may vary) to remove the lower bolt and nut.
• 🔩 Upper strut nuts:
  • Open the hood.
  • Use a 15mm or 18mm socket (varies) to remove the three small nuts holding the top of the strut. Do not remove any large center nut on the strut top.
• 👐 Wiggle and pull the strut out from the wheel well. You may need to push the lower control arm down slightly.

4. Install the New Front Strut

• 📏 Compare new and old struts to confirm same orientation and mount style.
• 🛗 Slide the new strut up into the wheel well and align the top studs with the holes in the strut tower.
• 🔩 Thread the three upper nuts on by hand (do not fully tighten yet).
• 🔩 Align the bottom of the strut with the lower control arm and insert the lower bolt from the same direction it came out.
• 🔧 Install the lower nut and snug it, but don’t fully torque yet.

5. Tighten Front Strut Fasteners

• 🔧 Under the hood:
  • Torque the three upper nuts evenly to about 30 ft-lb.
• 🛗 With the jack under the lower control arm, raise it slightly to simulate ride height.
• 🔧 Torque the lower strut bolt to about 125 ft-lb.

6. Reinstall Wheels and Repeat Other Side

• 🛞 Reinstall the front wheel and snug the lug nuts.
• 🛗 Lower the truck to the ground.
• 🔧 Torque lug nuts to about 130 ft-lb in a star pattern.
• 🔁 Repeat the process on the other front strut.

After You’re Done 🚗

• 🧪 Take a short, gentle test drive. Listen for clunks or rattles (which usually mean a loose bolt or nut).
• 📏 It’s a good idea to get a wheel alignment after front strut replacement so your tires wear evenly and the truck tracks straight.

Want Parts & Tools? 🛒

I’ll show you shocks/struts and the tools that fit your 1500 Classic below in the HowToo parts section. You can add what you need to your cart directly from there.

If you tell me which end you’re starting with (front or rear) and what tools you already have, I can simplify the steps even more for you.

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! 🚀