Does anyone know if I order new shocks from the dealer, (which I have to buy from due to it being a work truck), will they be the Ranchos that came on it from the factory? Also, do they come with the boots too?

 

When I bought new shocks for my 02 last year , I ordered them for a truck with the fx4 package and yes they were ranchos with the red boot. They were actually cheaper at the dealer than the parts store.

 

The FX4 Rancho shocks are nothing more the Motorcraft shocks dressed up like Rancho. Try a set of Bilsteins on that truck for a much better ride, I'd bet they cost about the same as OEM pricing.

 

Why do you need to buy your shocks from the dealer?? Is there some kind of policy at work that says you have to do this? For tax purposes and business write offs there is no need to use oem parts. You can install aftermarket and they are still tax deductible expenses as long as they are not a performance mod (even those are deductible in some cases).

Get a set of Bilstein's and don't look back. Probably cheaper than buying them from the dealer and they are ten times the shock.

 

As stated above, don't waste money on the 'Rancho branded' Ford FX-4 shocks. They have a plastic boot, Rancho shocks have a rubber boot.

Bilstein 5100HD shocks are far better and your spine will thank you!

 

i started a shock thread, everyone says bilsteins!! which ones are good i want to replace mine but i dont want to raise the truck up, i park in a carport and the truck just fits as is down to the inch, can someone steer me in the direction of which shock kit to get? Also truck has 70k is it due for shocks?

 

As soon as my new FX4 arrives, I'll have a set of (brand-new take-off) shocks for sale. I'm planning to get Bilsteins if they offer them for my truck.

 

Just get the Bilstein HD's - they are the same as stock for length. That's what I have on my truck.

Here are the Bilstein part numbers for your 2003 (assuming it's 4WD).

Front - F4-BE5-2818-H0

Rear - F4-BE5-C296-H0

 

I too would get Bilsteins.
~Gage~

 

You know Eshocks has the best price for these so far but
in my research alot of other companies are listing the

Rear - F4BE52819H0

So I went to Bilstein's homepage and they both come up as
Rear - F4BE52819H0 FORD F250 4WD SUPER DUTY R

Rear - F4-BE5-C296-H0 FORD F250/350 4WD REAR

Not sure what the difference is and there contact info doesn't have an 800#...

edit: so the F4BE52819H0 looks like the application for and F350 (scrolled further down the info pages at bilstein.com) but the heading says F250...

 

Don't by the POS "Rancho" shocks from the dealer!!

My "off road" shocks were shot at 40,000 miles.
2 completely shot, 1- 50%, 1- 70%.

I bought a set of Edelbrock IAS shocks and couldn't be happier. The ride is much improved, and the control is awesome.

Can't go wrong with the Bilsteins either.

 

I have to buy them from the dealer. It's a company truck and they won't pay for it unless I buy it from where they say.

 

gonna buy your tires and mufflers from a dealer as well?
how bout washer fluid? gasoline?

 

why dont u have the dealer parts dept. bring u in a set of aftermarket shocks and resell em to you..???

 

The F4-BE5-C296-HO is the updated shock part number (I think it is actually the updated version of the old shock as well). It was the part number for the rears on the 2005 and up truck but it is the same size as the old one so they now use that part number for the pre 2005 trucks. Just use the new part number I gave you again in this post and you will have the correct most up to date shock for the rears on your truck.

Just so you know, for non lifted trucks, they are the same part for both the F250 and F350 in the HD shock - no difference in application.