I’m sure you’ve read about the radius arm mods, and if not, check this out first.<\/p>\n
Pathfinder Econoline Radius Arm Mounting Bracking Install<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Next up is the Coil Spring modifications.\u00a0 I bought RV coils about 8 years ago on the drive to Tuktoyuktuk because we got stranded in Winnipeg due the van saggy like an old man’s balls sack.\u00a0 Didn’t want to drive on the gravel dempster hwy with a saggy van in the front.\u00a0 BTW, we had a clever solution.\u00a0 We used hockey pucks from the local Winnipeg sports store and made temporary spacers.\u00a0 They worked better than stock.<\/p>\n<p>The RV coils came from RockAuto.\u00a0 Not sure the part number, but they had a higher weight rating, I think another 1000 lbs?….\u00a0 Maybe I can dig up that order in my records.<\/p>\n<p>Anyway, I need to get this van drivable in 48 hrs, so I’m on the clock.\u00a0 Need to get stuff done with the tie rods.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1716\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_110508.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_110508.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_110508-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_110508-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_110508-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Measured both sides so I have a baseline.\u00a0 My new tie rods aren’t the same, so I need measurements.\u00a0 The above photo is the passenger side.<\/p>\n<p>The photo below is the driver’s side.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1717\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_120009-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_120009-rotated.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_120009-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_120009-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_120009-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I am trying something new.\u00a0 Instead of using the pathfinder donor steering parts, I’m using the stock econoline parts, with the new tie-rods to match the axle knuckle hole diameters.<\/p>\n<p>Hope it works.\u00a0 Saves me the trouble of custom fabricationing the steering parts since most are unobtainium.<\/p>\n<p>Test fitting for now.\u00a0 Getting a little worried things won’t fit, but won’t know until we know.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1718\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_123514.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_123514.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_123514-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_123514-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_123514-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Tightened down our tie rod nuts and gave it a little turn of the steering wheel.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Checking for steering conflicts on the Quadravan Conversion.\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JBqH0Spbjds?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Everything is smoothly working out, but it’s still really close to the driver’s side track bar.\u00a0 Fingers crossed it doesn’t rub when the wheels are on the ground.<\/p>\n<p>If you are looking for part nunbers about the tie rods, visit the tear-down page on this website with all the part numbers.<\/p>\n<p>Next up is the shock system.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1719\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150609.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150609.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150609-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150609-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150609-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I stole the idea from Boomer’s van.\u00a0 He also bought adjustable RS9000XL shocks.\u00a0 I’ve always used Bilsteins, but I figured I’d give these a chance, especially if they allow me to make changes to the ride based on my roadtripping needs.<\/p>\n<p>Something I’ve always wanted to do is make more room for my fat fingers to reach to the top of the shock mounts, and today I lost it.\u00a0 Just need to get more space, so the grinder, reciprocating saw, and dremel got some OT making this notch on top of the coil receiver.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150614-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"1235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150614-rotated.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150614-138x300.jpg 138w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150614-473x1024.jpg 473w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This is a life saver notch.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1721\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150621.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150621.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150621-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150621-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150621-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I don’t have a before photo, but imagine you’re tired, sick of wrenching on your van, and this beancounter from FORD in 1987 decided to save money and not think about the repair costs and time for a shock mount with no way to reach inside and put a socket on.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1722\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150627-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"1235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150627-rotated.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150627-138x300.jpg 138w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150627-473x1024.jpg 473w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now way anyone is getting their fingers in there unless the Slender Man or Salad Fingers is your mechanic.<\/p>\n<p>Anyways, I got a notch now and it’s mildly better.<\/p>\n<p>Shocks aren’t complicated to install, so the only thing I’ll say is to turn the top counterclockwise to “unlock” the shock from its shipping length (which is shorter).\u00a0 It’ll expand.\u00a0 Maybe the people at the shock company should give better instructions. I used their QR code to “download” the instructions, but they didn’t have anything listed for my part number.<\/p>\n<p>I think their server is broken.<\/p>\n<p>I’m getting off topic, now here’s a handsome shock.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1723\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_225659-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"1235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_225659-rotated.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_225659-138x300.jpg 138w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_225659-473x1024.jpg 473w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Stole the bolts from my 2WD Econoline shock mounts.\u00a0 Nice.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1724\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235048-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"1235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235048-rotated.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235048-138x300.jpg 138w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235048-473x1024.jpg 473w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1725\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235709.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235709.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235709-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235709-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235709-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Nice coincidence that the shock bellow matches the colors I already painted my tie rods and calipers.<\/p>\n<p>While I was at it, I greased up all the joints.\u00a0 The ball joints needed a dose of medicine, along with the tie rods, and other parts.<\/p>\n<p>I used the measurements to get the tie rods as close as possible to alignment, but I know it’s all useless until I get the van to Johnson Alignment in Torrance.\u00a0 Best independent shop in SoCal.<\/p>\n<p>Getting closer to done.\u00a0 Hope to get the axle filled with gear oil, brake calipers bled, and veg tank installed by tomorrow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I’m sure you’ve read about the radius arm mods, and if not, check this out first. Pathfinder Econoline Radius Arm… <a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/suspension\/pathfinder-shocks-suspension-and-steering-updates\/\" title=\"Read Pathfinder Shocks, Suspension, and Steering Updates\">Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[238,177],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1715"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1715"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1715\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1726,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1715\/revisions\/1726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Next up is the Coil Spring modifications.\u00a0 I bought RV coils about 8 years ago on the drive to Tuktoyuktuk because we got stranded in Winnipeg due the van saggy like an old man’s balls sack.\u00a0 Didn’t want to drive on the gravel dempster hwy with a saggy van in the front.\u00a0 BTW, we had a clever solution.\u00a0 We used hockey pucks from the local Winnipeg sports store and made temporary spacers.\u00a0 They worked better than stock.<\/p>\n<p>The RV coils came from RockAuto.\u00a0 Not sure the part number, but they had a higher weight rating, I think another 1000 lbs?….\u00a0 Maybe I can dig up that order in my records.<\/p>\n<p>Anyway, I need to get this van drivable in 48 hrs, so I’m on the clock.\u00a0 Need to get stuff done with the tie rods.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1716\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_110508.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_110508.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_110508-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_110508-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_110508-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Measured both sides so I have a baseline.\u00a0 My new tie rods aren’t the same, so I need measurements.\u00a0 The above photo is the passenger side.<\/p>\n<p>The photo below is the driver’s side.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1717\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_120009-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_120009-rotated.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_120009-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_120009-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_120009-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I am trying something new.\u00a0 Instead of using the pathfinder donor steering parts, I’m using the stock econoline parts, with the new tie-rods to match the axle knuckle hole diameters.<\/p>\n<p>Hope it works.\u00a0 Saves me the trouble of custom fabricationing the steering parts since most are unobtainium.<\/p>\n<p>Test fitting for now.\u00a0 Getting a little worried things won’t fit, but won’t know until we know.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1718\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_123514.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_123514.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_123514-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_123514-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_123514-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Tightened down our tie rod nuts and gave it a little turn of the steering wheel.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Checking for steering conflicts on the Quadravan Conversion.\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JBqH0Spbjds?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Everything is smoothly working out, but it’s still really close to the driver’s side track bar.\u00a0 Fingers crossed it doesn’t rub when the wheels are on the ground.<\/p>\n<p>If you are looking for part nunbers about the tie rods, visit the tear-down page on this website with all the part numbers.<\/p>\n<p>Next up is the shock system.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1719\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150609.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150609.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150609-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150609-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150609-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I stole the idea from Boomer’s van.\u00a0 He also bought adjustable RS9000XL shocks.\u00a0 I’ve always used Bilsteins, but I figured I’d give these a chance, especially if they allow me to make changes to the ride based on my roadtripping needs.<\/p>\n<p>Something I’ve always wanted to do is make more room for my fat fingers to reach to the top of the shock mounts, and today I lost it.\u00a0 Just need to get more space, so the grinder, reciprocating saw, and dremel got some OT making this notch on top of the coil receiver.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150614-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"1235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150614-rotated.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150614-138x300.jpg 138w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150614-473x1024.jpg 473w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This is a life saver notch.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1721\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150621.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150621.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150621-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150621-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150621-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I don’t have a before photo, but imagine you’re tired, sick of wrenching on your van, and this beancounter from FORD in 1987 decided to save money and not think about the repair costs and time for a shock mount with no way to reach inside and put a socket on.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1722\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150627-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"1235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150627-rotated.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150627-138x300.jpg 138w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_150627-473x1024.jpg 473w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now way anyone is getting their fingers in there unless the Slender Man or Salad Fingers is your mechanic.<\/p>\n<p>Anyways, I got a notch now and it’s mildly better.<\/p>\n<p>Shocks aren’t complicated to install, so the only thing I’ll say is to turn the top counterclockwise to “unlock” the shock from its shipping length (which is shorter).\u00a0 It’ll expand.\u00a0 Maybe the people at the shock company should give better instructions. I used their QR code to “download” the instructions, but they didn’t have anything listed for my part number.<\/p>\n<p>I think their server is broken.<\/p>\n<p>I’m getting off topic, now here’s a handsome shock.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1723\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_225659-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"1235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_225659-rotated.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_225659-138x300.jpg 138w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_225659-473x1024.jpg 473w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Stole the bolts from my 2WD Econoline shock mounts.\u00a0 Nice.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1724\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235048-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"1235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235048-rotated.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235048-138x300.jpg 138w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235048-473x1024.jpg 473w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1725\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235709.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1235\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235709.jpg 1235w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235709-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235709-1024x473.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20260309_235709-768x354.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1235px) 100vw, 1235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Nice coincidence that the shock bellow matches the colors I already painted my tie rods and calipers.<\/p>\n<p>While I was at it, I greased up all the joints.\u00a0 The ball joints needed a dose of medicine, along with the tie rods, and other parts.<\/p>\n<p>I used the measurements to get the tie rods as close as possible to alignment, but I know it’s all useless until I get the van to Johnson Alignment in Torrance.\u00a0 Best independent shop in SoCal.<\/p>\n<p>Getting closer to done.\u00a0 Hope to get the axle filled with gear oil, brake calipers bled, and veg tank installed by tomorrow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I’m sure you’ve read about the radius arm mods, and if not, check this out first. Pathfinder Econoline Radius Arm… <a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/suspension\/pathfinder-shocks-suspension-and-steering-updates\/\" title=\"Read Pathfinder Shocks, Suspension, and Steering Updates\">Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[238,177],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1715"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1715"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1715\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1726,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1715\/revisions\/1726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nickpisca.com\/diesel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}