Hi All,


I have a 2006 F250 Lariat CC FX4. I bought the truck with 68,000 miles about 3 months ago. This is my first 4WD and I'm wondering if I need shocks.


I know how to check on a car but this suspension is too stiff to push down a corner so how do you test? Or do you just go by the age? At freeway speeds when I hit a bump I get a bit of a shudder that makes me wonder if the axle is hopping.


If I were to replace them are the Rancho shocks OK for a replacement? I will spend very little time off road and mostly use this truck for boat towing and hope to buy a travel trailer down the road.


Thanks
Shawn

 

I have no idea the "correct" way to know when shocks are blown short of removing them, baring actual failure. I changed my front ones at 45k, then all four at 90k. I went with Bilstein HDs for the full replacement at 90k, it made a HUGE difference in the back end crabwalking around. My front end weighs around 5000#, the back end is 3000# unloaded, so I just start feeling that the front end bounces too much and swap them out.

Bilstein Heavy Duty Shocks - Shockwarehouse - Shockwarehouse.com

Rancho 9000 series adjustable shocks are really popular, but don't go with the Ford "Rancho" shocks.

 

I installed a set of 4 Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks on my '02 F-250 SD @ 106,ooo miles 3 months ago. I've run with them set to the fully stiff adjustment here in the Nevada desert to get the feel for the ride before running in the softest setting. The ride is STIFF and you can feel it but I am not complaining. (Maybe my rear end is numb from old age) I'm about ready to give the soft setting a try for a while. Will be towing my TT before long and I expect to at least stiffen the rears up again before towing my 25' TT.


To make a short story l-o-n-g, I like 'em.


Emmitt

 

I have used the bilstiens on my last two trucks and they deal with the weight very well, but they ride stiff and I have two blown discs in my back, so I just put on the rancho 9000's Saturday and I will give them a try for a while. I do have a set of used bilstiens for sale if you are interested, mine is a 2wd though.