Just bought a new to me 96 F250 4X4 XLT. Seems like a real nice truck so far. The shocks are rusted and it rides a bit rough so I figured I'd ask the experts in here for some recommendations for new shocks. I don't tow or haul alot, no off road if I can help it, just want a nice smooth shock.

Thanks

Bob

 

I installed some Skyjacker's 7000 Hydro's on mine and it was a nice improvement over the factory shocks. Bilsteins would be even better, but they are much more expensive.

But I will tell you that even though the new shocks improved the ride, it still rides rough, it's just the way these olds trucks are.

 

Thanks Fastback. I realize it's not gonna ride like a caddy, just want to smooth it out a bit. I've run Bilsteins several times before and really like the ride they give. Haven't tried the Skyjackers though.

Thanks again

Bob

 

+1 on the skyjackers. They were moderately priced and I have them on my dad's old f350 currently and I felt an improvement over stock (new stock I am not sure).

Never go wrong with Bilstiens had them on my old Z71 (I should never admit I owned a Chevy in high school).

 

+1 for Bilstien. Maybe a little firm on the valving if you're going for Cadillac ride? Either way, I'd buy them again.

 

Agreed def a little stiff so not ideal for off-roading. Luckily you said you weren't going to.

I just rolled with the cheap rough country shocks that came with the lift kit on my bronco but that thing will be seeing mainly off-road so a little diff situation. The sloppier the better in that scenario IMO.

 

I've always felt that the lower end shocks all rode about the same, especially in an old truck. I'd either spend the money and get a quality shock or buy the cheapest ones you can find online.

 

I'd agree with this, but have to add in that when I tried the cheap shocks, they were leaking fluid in 4 months. Ride quality fell sharply after that. My truck had an easy summer that year, not like it was pounding trails. The Bilstein shocks have been on for 3 years now, and have been worked over pretty hard. They still ride excellent.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm gonna just stick with some Bilsteins. I've always liked them and after it's all said and done they're only gonna be about a hundred bucks more than the Skyjackers. Gonna order some up this weekend.

 

Eh, I pounded trails twice weekly for about the same amount of time on crap shocks (Monroes IIRC) and didn't get them to leak (installed them one summer a few years ago IIRC I pulled them around Thanksgiving) I did get the nut to back off one of the studs up front which bent the shock when it hit the bracket. I upgraded to Motorcrafts from a newer Superduty I found on eBay for $10ea. Quality control tends to be less on cheaper parts. Sometimes you win sometimes you lose.

 

I put Motorcraft on my trucks from RockAuto. Looks like they are less than $40ea + shipping for your truck. If you want to spend the extra money on Bilsteins that is obviously your call. I've never had them so I don't know if it is worth it on an older leafy spring truck.

 

I don't think you'll regret that. I'm not sure these days but eshocks.com had good pricing & shipping a few years ago for HD4600 shocks. Under $300 for the set.