I like to replace the shocks for ones that will give a nice gentle ride. The only hard work it does is pulling a 6,000 pounds camper. I thought about blisten, but I read that it can be harsh during certain points because it is charged. I am not sure what they mean by that. I don't even know if it is possible to make it ride like a Caddy due to heavy duty springs.


The truck is 2004 F250 with V10. It is RWD and it has 70K miles. The truck is pretty much stock.


Thank you for any suggestions or feedbacks.

 

Have read numerous forums both here and other sites that say Bilstein 5100 are the way to go, I just installed dual front and rears on mine today.

 

A soft ride in a 250 is not possible in my experience. Ride control, yes. Soft ride, no. You can deflate the tires while unloaded. The Bilsteins you are looking at are great shocks, but no shock will give you a soft ride.

 

Check out the RS9000's. They are a nice shock that you can adjust the shock to various conditions.
Some people don't like the "firmness" of a monotube shock.
I like the adjustability of the 9's.
If you can wait a few weeks, Spring rebate will start.
Good luck in your hunt.

 

[QUOTE=inspector747;15097563]Have read numerous forums both here and other sites that say Bilstein 5100 are the way to go, I just installed dual front and rears on mine today.[/QUO


Drove to work this morning and have to say the ride with the 5100's (4 Front 2 rear) is amazing, incredibly smooth and I have a 6" lift and running 35" tires

 

Monroe reflex will give you the best ride. I started with Bilstein, nice firm shock. Then went to Rancho 9000xl and they were great for adjusting ride comfort but the ***** got rusty and could no longer be adjusted. Then I just did not want to spend that much on shocks anymore and tried the monroe reflex and I feel they are the best shock for the buck.

 

where's the best place to buy these. A lot of folks buy on Amazon ......but try to do a warranty return to Amazon on something that has a life time warranty.

 

Great concept, great shock. After 1 year the dial/**** will no longer turn, and if it does it becomes stripped.

 

I prefer a shop or other on line store like a 4WP, JEGS, or even shops that support this forum. It may "cost" you a few bucks more but knowing they are their is worth it IMO.

My advice, turn the dials once a season.
***** are replaceable.
We offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Limited Lifetime Warranty / 90-Day Risk-Free Ride Offer
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY (limited to qualifying Rancho® products only)*
Tenneco warrants qualifying Rancho® products against defects in materials or workmanship (except finish) when used under normal operating conditions for as long as the products are installed on, and the original purchaser owns, the original vehicle on which they were installed.

 

10 min of time on the ground 8 screws and some grease and that problem is Gone.

 

I'll wait for the rebate this spring. I still have the factory shocks on my truck.

 

I had the Rancho 9000s. They were a great product and really controlled the truck well on rough roads. But even on the softest setting, there were still very firm. I noticed more imperfections in the road than I did with my worn out factory shocks.

On my current F250, I went with Monroe Sensatracs. They are much better suited for my needs. The longer wheelbase truck smoothed the ride some, but these shocks were the icing on the cake. I'd recommend them to everyone. And they are not very expensive either. Using Advance Auto, a rebate from Monroe, and Ebates.com I got all for like $70. Easily the best money I have spent yet.

 

I am considering the 9000 ranchos to replace my factory FX4 ranchos....

if the dial freezes and strips (as mentioned above)... will rancho replace them?? if they are worn in 50000 miles will rancho replace them?

I would probably get them at Advance.... will look for the spring rebate.... if parts have lifetime.. Advance usually just takes them back and get replacements... and the receipt will be in their system

 

I recently put Bilstein 5100's on my F350. While I like them, they are firmer than the factory shocks (mine had 33,000 miles on them, but they were rusting bad).
I do agree- an F250 or 350 is only going to ride so smooth- they are work trucks, and are sprung accordingly. You can get the best ride possible, but not a cushy one.

 

I have tried the Rancho 9s and 5100's on my 02' F250 that I sold a while back,
They are both great on function but like what hodge5 said
"they are work trucks, and are sprung accordingly" so you wont really get a Cadi ride in my opinion...
But on my F350 DRW that I recently purchased
(I'm saving up again for the 5100's together with the steering stabilizer's)
love the function and FIRM RIDE it gives...

Hope that can help...
Cheers (",)