Originally Posted by Jivewalker

Simply following the procedures shown in the FSM is not always the best or easiest way to accomplish the task which Is what makes this forum great. The video you just linked is case and point. BTW, that's the way I changed my shocks. I researched a ton before touching the KDSS and made my decision to go the route I did after reading some others issues with the method you say is easy, and am glad I did so. I offered advice based on my experience of doing it, and I stand by that advice. To me, the way I did it was easier than pissing around with the KDSS, it simply isn't needed if you support the cylinders and then raise/lower them to line up the sway bars. Easy stuff. But to each his own, OP can make his own decisions and do his own research, which is what he was doing.

Originally Posted by Mutant138

I haven't done any suspension work on this truck yet so I can only speak so much. I'll just take take your word for it.

I do think it would be unsafe to try and jack up on the LCA (to compress the springs) and the kdss piston bracket at the same while the truck is up on stands or a lift. But without the truck sitting wheels off in front of me it's hard to visualize.

Originally Posted by Jivewalker

I had 3 wheels on the ground, hub of wheel off supported with a 2x6 at lug nuts, KDSS cylinder supported with a bottle jack, and used the floor jack to lower the LCA away from the hub. It would only lower so far, so had to insert an old floor jack handle in and pry and hold it down enough to insert new shock and bolt up. Then raise LCA with floor jack and spring compresses. Worked like a charm, but really had to wrestle with holding the LCA down while inserting the new shock. If you unbolt the LCA where the alignment cams are, it would be much easier, but I had to wait a week or 2 before I could get the alignment, so I chose not to. Others have used the same method with success, hope this helps somebody else out!