Rancho shock question

[mtnman2k1]

I've got a set of the RS9000 rancho shocks and I'm kinda puzzled about the way they were shipped. I pulled one of the shocks out of the box and the piston rod is submerged in the shock housing. Shouldn't the shock be fully expanded with piston rod exposed? I've never installed shocks before, but I figured that it was a simple process (jack up front, take off tire, unload torsion bar, and swap out shock;rear-put body on jacks, taking load off axle, and swap out shocks), but the fact that the shocks arent in full expansion has me puzzled.

[Bart2500HD]

Any shocks I ever bought were completely "submerged" as you call it and there was a piece of wire tied through each end to keep it from extending.

[mtnman2k1]

submerged, fully compressed, what ever you wanna call it. There are no wires holding these together.

[mtnman2k1]

OK, got a response from Rancho. Apparently, the shocks have to be pulled apart. Just wanted to post in case anybody else ever has the same question.

[Valsport]

Yea I was going to tell you..you have to pull them apart. BTW you don't need to unload torsion bars or even jack up the truck or take off tires to change shocks. Just un-bolt, remove, replace! The trucks weight is fully supported by the leafs/torsion bars.