1/2" socket for the two top bolts and a really long extension (or several extensions) are needed to get to these bolts. Make sure to wear eye protection as sand/grit will constantly fall into your face as you remove and install shocks.

18mm wrench for the bolt-side; 11/16" socket for the nut side.

My original RS9000 punctured and leaked out around the bottom of the shock. This thing was shot by the time I removed it. The ride was horrible, so the new ride of the 9000x's was a welcome change to my rearend.

For you southerners, all that "white stuff' is salt. Minnesota salts the roads in the winter time to keep the roads above freezing temps and free of snow. This is how your vehicle will look after a week of driving on the roads around here in the winter time.

I had to jack the rear up to replace the shocks. There just wasn't enough room to maneuver and get leverage on all of the bolts.

Rancho RS9000 (top) vs. Rancho RS9000x (bottom). The RS9000x looks to be a little shorter in design (at least the shock reservoir. The RS9000x also has a red knob with 9 adjustable positions whereas the 9000 has a black knob and 5 adjustable positions.