Overall the process was straightforward for changing the shocks (not springs too). Aside from getting to the top shock mount on the front drivers side, which is buried behind the master cylinder, it was fairly accessible. After removing the shocks I quickly noted that the old shocks had no rebound left in them. I compressed them and they literally stuck. No wonder the rude was stiff. Same with the rears, and it was fairly straghtforward though we had to twist the axle an inch or so to get the spring dislodged and slide the shock out. The rears were some American Steel brand something or the other. Again, compress and no rebound left in the shocks.
With the KYBs it's night and day. There is now suspension travel and a nice balanced ride. My goals weren't to lower the car or stiffen it in any way so I'm happy with the KYBs.
The brakes proved to be somewhat easy and also frustrating. I managed to get all the necessary bolts loose with some PB Blaster and swapped out rotors, pad springs, and pads. But with new pads on both sides and the piston fully opened, there literally wasn't enough room to get the caliper on. The total thickness of 2 new pads and a new rotor from the AR kit was greater than the caliper casting opening. So, I had to settle for new rotors, new outer pads, and reuse the inner pads.
I left the brake lines and rear brake kit for another day.
Overall the front brakes feel much smoother and the suspension feels great over what was on there.
