Ratcheting box wrench worked in behind the fender liner and onto the top nut of the front shock. Then you can just slip an open end wrench on the hex that's part of the shaft of the shock and work it back and forth to remove, same to install. It helps to raise the front, take the wheel off, and allow the suspension to drop all the way. Then the extended gas shock matches up with the lower mount that's part of the front radius arm. You should have the frame blocked up or on a jack stand. So, at that point you can also remove the clip that holds the upper end of the coil spring and lower the axle to where the spring is out of the way of the shock. Then you have lots of throw on your open end wrench.
I've done only Fronts on E-Series. The older (1991 and earlier) was easier than the current ones ('92 and later) but all are do-able. But as I said, I have not done the rears. From what I've read, those shocks do NOT have the hex on the low side of the mounting area, so they are not quite as easy as you'd think.
