do these really work like they say. do you need the special socket or do you guys know something that works instead?

 

get the special socket. if you mess it up nothing will work but a pipe wrench and you don't want that. what year is your truck? it may already have 181dv's and the biggest i would go for a street truck is 191dv's.

 

They work! Lots of power gained when I did mine, although I only had 131's, if you are doing them make sure to not wreck the little green o ring!