Mounting JDM front shocks
 

So I bought some JDM front CalMax shocks for my '06 GMC.
I tried to instll them yesterday but for the life of me couldn't get the top "shaft" to poke through far enough to get the nut started.
I tried to get a C-clamp on both sides of the rubber grommets but even then I couldn't get enough of the shaft through to see any threads.
Holding the stock shock and the new shock side-by-side the JDM shock shaft is probably 1-1/2" shorter than the stock shock. I checked the numbers stamped in the shock body against the website to make sure they didn't send me the wrong ones.
Is their some special tool required I just don't have?
Any one else have this problem?
Also, I didn't read the reviews of the shocks on the Stylin'Concepts website until I was double checking the numbers but their was only three reviews and they all seemd to be pretty bad. Did I just buy some lemon shocks?

Re: Mounting JDM front shocks
 

have the truck jacked up in the front on stands, then put your jack under the front a-arm and compress it. it should go in then

Re: Mounting JDM front shocks
 

Thats pretty much what I did. But you can't compress the suspension enough to bottom the shock out. If I could bottom the shock out I might be able to compress the grommets enough to show some threads.
I am going to talk to them and see what they have to say. If they can't suggest anything I am going to buy another Vise-Grip C-clamp and weld some large plates that will surround the shaft but still allow access to the threads. Think a flat "U".
Seems like a lot of work to install shocks though?

Re: Mounting JDM front shocks
 

you might wanna look, those shocks may be for a 4" drop

Re: Mounting JDM front shocks
 

I double checked - I have a 2" drop with control arms
I talked to their tech and he was supposed to "call me right back" around 10:30 this morning with some measurements. But I have yet to hear back.

Re: Mounting JDM front shocks
 

figures...you can usually get away with running a stock length shock for a 2" lca drop or any 2" drop at that