My 2003 is still riding on OEM shocks. Safe to say they're completely shot at this point.

I was looking at Bilstein. But based on comments here in quite a few threads, Bilstein warranty return policy seems to be a nightmare and filled with hoops to jump through. Monroe's from O'Reilly sound to be a very good shock for the money. So I'll likely be purchasing a set of Monroe.

Now my question:
My truck is not lifted, but I do plan to eventually address front end sag. Either with whole new spring packs or maybe just an add-a-leaf. I figure this will result in the front end coming up 1-1.5 inches. With this in mind, should I opt for a shock for stock ride height? Or, do I need to order as though I have a lift?

 

If the front end is sagging and you will only be bringing it back to stock height +/-, then the stock length shocks should do it. You might want to check out Rancho RS9000 adjustable shocks if you haul with it, great ride empty, much better control loaded. That being said, I wouldn't worry about having to return Bilsteins, rarely see an issue with them. They have held up great on every vehicle I have had them on, they are perhaps a bit stiff for my liking when unloaded, but they are very well built.

 

Bilsteins are a quality unit. Buy them. All shocks do wear out and need to be replaced way more often than people do I replace mine every 60k miles for best performance.

 

I put Bilsteins on the front of my 03 F250 CCSB and I like them. It's still fairly stiff in front, but I suppose some of that is the fact that one, it's a leaf spring 4x4 pickup and two, it has a 4" spring lift in front.
What I most noticed was that big hit I felt over a train crossing is gone. I'm just guessing, but it's like the old shocks closed the valve on the really rough spots and it seems to me the Bilsteins are valued quite differently.
Anyway those are my impressions,
good luck
Frank

 

Look at it this way, the heavy service front springs will add around 1" or so of lift to the front end and they still use the stock length shocks. There is plenty of extra stroke length on stock length shocks.

Bilstein doesn't stand by what they sell. Just remember that before you spend the cash on them. I have been running Monroe Reflex shocks on my truck and just installed the second set. Had the first set on around 35k miles and 5 years. They don't stiffen up the ride they just soak up bumps, help with roll, etc. They have a lifetime warranty on their Reflex shocks so the second set of reflex shocks cost me shipping, I was reimbursed for the shock cost.

 

dkf, very good info. Thanks much.