Upper peninsula of Michigan

I just ended up having to cut the boot of the driver side rear and get some big buggers on there and have someone else squeeze the hell out if it

 

Those bronze look sick on the desert sand. I really like the fender flares bro

 

Thanks bro, its the Bushwacher OE.

 

They nice

 

Well vise grips failed, but sawzall didn't. Cut right at the base of the top nut. Truck rides way better can't wait to feel different towing. I was able to push both old shocks in easily, had to compress new ones with a jack into place!

 

What shocks did you go with?

 

The Yellow/Blue TRD Off Road shocks. I figured they were a little better than the black stock ones. This is the part number: 48530-09N40

Last year changed the front struts (one was leaking) with a factory strut replacement (don't know brand off hand and was going out of town camping and needed truck fixed quickly). I still have the factory springs in my garage incase a future use comes up.
My truck has low miles around 28k, but the previous owner let it sit a lot so that is why I think all these parts are wearing out prematurely.
I did read though that the black "grade" shocks don't last very long.
I have thought about putting a mild level kit / lift on but leary as right now I have a 7k+ trailer that I tow often in the summer.
I do really like your setup though....

 

Thank you! Those blue yellows are the bilstein 4600s. They are the off road version. I believe red and blue are tuned for the sport edition

 

Yep I figured that out when I was researching shocks. The price was right for them. I was looking at other shocks and wasn't seeing good reviews on many of the stock height shocks so took a chance and will try them. I also didn't want to mess with purchasing bushing / top nut separately (these came with them). - although I did have to take a "dished washer" from the existing shocks.
Now my truck is confused though as it has the red sway bar and yellow shocks!