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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 03:37 PM
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Front Shocks

my expy front shocks are weak. recommendations on better quality replacements. anyone? thanks
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 03:56 PM
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Bilsteins are the only way to go IMO. Shockwarehouse.com has decent prices on them. I would suggest replacing shocks in sets of four. In the end, the Expy is still going to ride like a cloud, the springs are soft. The control you gain with the Bilsteins is phenomenal though.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 06:20 PM
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yeah, i know bilstein is top quality. bilstein offers to item numbers.one with rear air leveling and without. how would in know which one is for my truck?
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 06:35 PM
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No doubt Bilsteins are very good but on my recent shock change on my 98 exp. I installed a set of Monroe Sensatracs and have no complaints on them. Just out of curiousity, does anyone know what Ford used for the stock shock on the 97 to 02 exp. series, thanks
 
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Old Dec 2, 2010 | 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by makthenif
yeah, i know bilstein is top quality. bilstein offers to item numbers.one with rear air leveling and without. how would in know which one is for my truck?
Depends on whether or not your truck has rear air springs.

The Bilstien monotube design is FAR superior to anything Monroe makes, and the price is only about $10 a shock difference. I had the KYB monotubes on prior to the Bilstiens and they did not offer nearly as much suspension control. The Bilsteins will probably outlast the truck at this point too. You can pick up Monroes for less but when you consider the advantages of the Bilstiens it is a no brainer. No offense to Monroe owners of course.
 
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Old Dec 3, 2010 | 02:05 PM
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how would i know if my truck has the rear air leveling? i think the vin number might tell but i am not sure.
 
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Old Dec 3, 2010 | 03:13 PM
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Ummmmm, why not just look under the truck?
 
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Old Dec 4, 2010 | 01:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Big Greenie
Ummmmm, why not just look under the truck?
Or...see if there exists an air ride disable switch as shown in the owners manual.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2010 | 02:34 PM
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ok greenie, good point...so if it has the black rubber bags above the shocks it is rear air leveling right?
 
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Old Dec 4, 2010 | 03:22 PM
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They are referring to the air springs fitted to many of these trucks. You would be looking for coil springs, or air spring bladders which would denote the air leveling suspension. The air suspension in back is not connected to the shocks in any way.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2010 | 06:46 PM
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yeah...it does have black rubber bladders on the axle looks like not on the shock. are these the air levelers?
 
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Old Dec 4, 2010 | 09:51 PM
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You are getting hung up on "air levelers". What the truck has is air suspension. By design, it features automatic leveling. The system has a sensor that controls the air compressor to increase or decrease the amount of air pressure in the air springs to keep the truck level.

You need the shocks for the air suspension.
 
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