I just got some new Bilstein shocks. I plan on installing them myself but the thing is I've never done anything like this before. I'm definitely going to pick up a cheap floor jack, jack stands, and tire blocks before I install (Safety First!). My question surrounds the hardware that came with my Bilstein's. The front shocks each came with two bushings, two small metal brackets, and a nut. The rear shocks came with no hardware. I got under my truck to look at what already there and it appears that I will have to reuse some of the hardware that is already on the truck. I've got 60K miles on mine X and was just wondering if it was alright to re-use whatever hardware I need that didn't come with the Bilstein's. If not, what's a good place to get the extra bushings, brackets, and nuts? Also, I've got an official Nissan Xterra service manual with the torque ratings on the various nuts - but I've read that some people have had trouble getting the torque up to the recommended value (around 90 foot-pounts I believe) - is it okay to torque it just a little short if I can't get it there? Anybody have any other advice on getting these things installed with the least amount of trouble? As always, thanks in advance.

Yeah, I reused all the hardware for the rear shocks. Rear shocks are super-easy. You don't need to jack up the truck or remove the tires. Just get under and replace. The frons are easier with the vehicle off the ground in the front because with the tires off you have better access. It should not take too long either, it's a pretty easy job. Just a few nuts and bolts.

they're easy, just put mine on today actually. only minor obstacle i encountered was somewhat detaching the rear sway bar to get a good angle on the bottom bolt for the shock. one other thing is you might want to put some grease on the inside of the rubber bushings to make it easier to slide onto the studs, thats it, all four shocks took about an hour total

I am about to put my Bilstiesn on as well, I read somewhere that they need to be torqued properly... has anyone done this or know what the torque pressure is supposed to be?

Not a lot.....you do not want to deform the eye bushings....tight, but not squished is a good rule of thumb....add some lock-tite.

Search the forum, there are tons of threads on this and the torque needed is in there somewhere. I'd just post it here but I can't recall exactly what it was.

To the original poster, the rear shocks are simple. I chose to get a local tire shop to install the fronts, mainly because I needed them done that day, I only had my driveway available, and it started raining. For what you'll spend on the jack and stuff, you can probably get the fronts installed. Just a thought if you don't need the lifting gear for the long term.

Just finished putting my Bils on all four corners.

Front top stud = 12-16 ft/lb
Front bottom = 87-108 ft/lb
Rear top and bottom = 30-37 ft/lb