i'm looking into getting new shocks for my 76' 4x4 F250. anybody have advice on which are the best for the money?

 

This is a loaded question that will have many, many responses, and none of them will be exactly what you are looking for.
Application is key here, and you may not have too many available options.
Any race series shock is light years ahead of stock off the shelf non re-buildable, and each of the manufacturers had their share of good and not as good units, but even the worst race series shock is still better than the best twin tube low dollar unit.
You get what you pay for. You will be suprised how well an expensive shock works over a cheap one. Huge difference.

 

well, the truck's suspension is stock and i plan to keep it that way. i run the truck on the beach and for dump runs and around town short trips. i agree that you certainly get what you pay for, so what do you recommend, 75?

 

I am not sure that my recommendations would be the best for a stock application. Stock 30 year old suspensions are pretty stiff, so dampening can get a little tricky here. You cant make a stiff spring less stiff just by installing a real fancy shock, but I have liked Bilstein shocks. This is a fair priced mono tube shock that is reasonbly performance oriented. Some of the guys like the KYB series and others just throw on some old Monroes. I believe that this is a tough question since not all of the people will have ever had the opportunity to drive the same truck with a veriety of shocks.
This is where the "loaded question" comes into play.

What are you running now, and how have you liked them?

 

the front shocks look to be pretty decrepit, but the rears are yellow, so i'm thinking monroe?
the truck jarrs pretty heavily running across ruts and washboard on the sand and any pothole will make you lose a filling.
i'm really looking to smooth things out here, definately not stiffen the ride.
i was looking at replacing the springs and adding a couple inches lift and travel that way (plus new spring bushings), but it seems that would stiffen the ride more. that's why i'm focusing now on the shocks.
is there a particular bilstein model you recommend?

 

I agree with 75F350. The Bilsteins are quality shocks that work well on stock suspension vehicles - when you use their application guide of course. The yellow bodied Bilsteins are reasonably priced (IMHO). And the all of their higher end shocks are also well build and respected. They tend to not "blow out" like many other shocks often do after some hard use. A friend has them on his dirt track car and they have lasted 2 seasons where some Pro brand shocks only lasted a handful of races. If you've ever dirt track raced or stood on a dirt track you know that running on a dirt track it is not smooth and is similar to running on a washboard road. And FYI to those that follow Sprint car and dirt track racing - RIP Manzanita Speedway, it's closing after April 11, 2009 after 60 years of dirt track racing in Phoenix.

 

Make that 3 for bilsteins. They are good shocks for stock type applications, however many people flinch at the $50 ea. or so price tag.

As 75F350 said - you get what you pay for. Bilsteins will outlast the shocks that are $20-30 ea, so the $50 ea. price isn't horrible...

If you think $50 a shock is bad - you'll never understand my shocks at over $500 each - and I have 2 on all 4 corners...

 

thanks fellas--i'll look into bilsteins!