I'm in the lawn business and just got into arborist.
I will be putting some heavy loads on my truck.
It's a ford f150 4.7ltr I think?.....
4.2 I don't know tho.
2doors guess is the cheapest version.
Well I got two blown shocks on the driver side.
Planning to lift up the back 2 inches and install some new shocks.
Just want to get the best per buck. Not the most expensive.
Question:

Is there any brand I should consider for shock absorbers?
For heavy loads?

Now before some one ask why I'm lifting the back side only is due to
My trailer and Hight and mowers.

Anyway thanks in advance.

 

I guess I've never had any problems with Monroe brand shocks, used those for the 88 and it's a plow truck with steel blade.

 

I ran RMX monotubes on my stock 01 F150 crew cab, I logged with that truck for 5 years, and towed a tandem axle 7x16 cargo trailer loaded with dirtbikes, shocks were decently priced, and it seemed to hold up my trailer, no problem. they took a beating on the logging roads, I was impressed with them.

 

I have found KYB shocks to be very heavy duty for the cost.

 

Monroe Gas Magnum are good. The KYB gas adjust work well too.

 

RockAuto has a number of shocks for these old trucks on closeout/clearance at the moment. You can get the shocks for my truck for about $12 at the moment (between the sale price and a discount code).

 

You probably have the 4.9 straight 6.. there were no V6s in this vintage truck and everything else is a V8.

As for beefing up the rear end, the springs carry the vast majority of the load not the shocks and the base level trucks were often equipped with light spring packs so the best solution would be to either swap in heavier spring packs or just add a leaf to the existing set, that will raise the rear end when unloaded, prevent it from sagging as much under load, and offer better control when loaded.

 

My apologies
It's a 1997 2wd.
There is a set being sold with springs.
Claim they are adjustable.....?
Stockers don't have springs in the back.

 

This section of the forum covers the 96 F150, and the 97 F250/F350 which were still the OBS (old body style).

For your 97 truck, you'll want this section 1997 - 2003 F150 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums. You'll probably get a better response there for specifics on your truck.

Now, on the topic at hand, I've had good luck with my Bilstein shocks, but they probably aren't the best value for your dollar.