Well, with 5k miles on the truck, the factory "Rancho" rear shocks are already shot, leaking like crazy. I haven't checked the front yet. I'm looking for replacements that will support a decent tow weight, my 5er is around 12.5k loaded with around 2200lb pin weight. I have load lifter 5000's installed. I was looking at the fox 2.0's, but think I'm gonna have to much bounce from the softer shock. Any recommendations?

 

I had Bilstein 5160's in the rear of my Tundra. They were great shocks.

Not sure if they make them for the 2017 F250/350 yet (just got mine 3 days ago)

 

I did have the bilstein 5100's on my 2011 F250, they were definitely a stiffer ride than stock, but I think a stiffer shock is what I'm gonna need for the weight of the camper. Bilstein doesn't have any for the 2017 as of yet. Does anyone know of the sleeve size I would need for the smaller bolt diameter on the 2017's? I could possibly insert that into the 2016's bilstein lower bushing.

 

there is another thread going abiut rancho shocks as well, his over heated and melted the covers once they leaked.

 

Wow, two thread in 24 hours about this. Where's 44Dan44 now?

I'd personally wait for the Bilstein 5100's to have a 2017 application. They are an awesome shock all around and top notch for towing and hauling.

 

id like to wait for the proper application to come out for the 2017's, but it does me no good right now. The only option I would have is to get the stockers replaced at the dealership, which takes out of my personal/work time. I'd rather use my vacation/sick time on something worth while than dealing with the dealership repairs. The dealership that is close to me is over worked and understaffed. I took off work early last week to get an oil change and they wouldn't look at the recalls on our trucks for the transmission cooler lines possibly leaking. That's a whole different story though. Luckily my cooler lines are not leaking as of yet.

 

Yep, it's an inconvenience for sure! I don't blame you one bit for not wanting to wait in the dealer only to have them install a temporary solution. I'm actually surprised the aftermarket isn't a little quicker to have applications for our truck available. They've been on the streets since what, August of 2016? What's the holdup?

 

I missed the 44dan postings apparently, is he our forum shock expertise guy?

Anyways, I'm a future customer waiting in the wings. I pull like Karl, but I'm not wanting a real firm ride when empty. Catch22 a bit maybe, but don't our springs do 90% of our load and firmness anyways?... I've always known shocks as dampening and rebound.

Subscribing to any shock info thread.

 

Dan felt the need to call me out in the FX4 thread saying that I was the only one to ever post on the FX4 Rancho branded shock failures and if anyone else did, it was only because I posted my picture of my failed shocks in the past. Hundreds of times according to him...LOL.

 

I had the same exact issue with my 2011. It was an FX4 as well and the "Rancho" shocks were done almost immediately. They are definitely not valved right for these trucks, If Dan never had an issue with these shocks, he is one of the lucky ones. I don't know whether or not he hauled anything, but I put my truck through the ropes and work it constantly. Tow moderately heavy, lots of unimproved roads, heck I live in a dirt road that pretty washed out. I agree that the aftermarket is way behind for a better solution for these trucks. I would love to get the fox 2.0's, but I think they will not be firm enough for the weight I am towing.

 

Me too Rob. Here's mine from my 2012 with 900 or so miles on them. 3 of 4 blown.




Not sure on the Fox 2.0's as I've never tried them. The Bilstein's are indeed firm but are great when loaded.

 

mine were the same. When I installed the airbags in the new truck, I took the left rear shock off instead of removing the rear tires to slide them in from underneath. That was at 2000 miles and the shock did not extend at all once disconnected from the axle, but was not leaking at the time. That tells me right there that there was a failure since the gas did not push them back out. They are crap.

 

I think the gas side fails more often than the hydraulic side. That's why most guys don't notice it unless they pull one. When the hydraulic side fails, you get a much more visual cue of the failure like these from the other thread started last night.

 

Man, that is one heck of a failure!!!! What caused the boot melting, friction of the shock causing an overheating issue? Mine aren't leaking that badly, but the is definitely sign of fluid leakage. I'm going out right now to check the fronts. Lol

 

They got very hot with no fluid left to cool them.