Shocks ~ what do you recommend?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Load range C is definitely NOT good for our trucks! I'd say you have a chat to do with your tire shop. Using the door sticker is really only useful if you use the exact same size tires that came from the factory, lots of tire shops go by the sticker strictly because of liability issues. Since you have a 50,000 mile warranty, it sounds like you should be able to get replacements easily....but get D or E rated this time, DON'T let them talk you into settling for C rated tires.....those aren't even good for a empty Superduty 
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Another thing that just came to mind ... if I am in an accident and the truck is supposed to have a certain grade of equipment on it, I could be at the mercy of an attorney. If there was any kind of investigation (police or insurance), they may find me at fault for not having the vehicle properly equipped to drive safely (per the OE requirements). 
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Wow, I had presumed E rated and got caught on that thinking maybe Ds were put on and thus less pressure - some D's are rated close to Es in weight capacity - but still less pressure...BUT a C rated tire never entered my mind....Yep, I'd go have a talk with the tire shop...try be nice, but firm!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
You got crappy tires probably because that's what they had on the shelf and many tire stores, especially the bigger chain types, don't exactly hire the cream of the crop to work for them.
That doesn't mean skip the new shocks though. Hopefully they're not original, but if they're worn, then replacing them is a good idea. If they are the factory shocks, you'll kick yourself for not doing this sooner.
I've run both the Bilstein and the Gabriel shocks and have been equally pleased with both.
That doesn't mean skip the new shocks though. Hopefully they're not original, but if they're worn, then replacing them is a good idea. If they are the factory shocks, you'll kick yourself for not doing this sooner.
I've run both the Bilstein and the Gabriel shocks and have been equally pleased with both.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: NJ
You got crappy tires probably because that's what they had on the shelf and many tire stores, especially the bigger chain types, don't exactly hire the cream of the crop to work for them.
That doesn't mean skip the new shocks though. Hopefully they're not original, but if they're worn, then replacing them is a good idea. If they are the factory shocks, you'll kick yourself for not doing this sooner.
I've run both the Bilstein and the Gabriel shocks and have been equally pleased with both.
That doesn't mean skip the new shocks though. Hopefully they're not original, but if they're worn, then replacing them is a good idea. If they are the factory shocks, you'll kick yourself for not doing this sooner.
I've run both the Bilstein and the Gabriel shocks and have been equally pleased with both.
As for the shocks, I'm going to order 4 Bilsteins. I bought this truck used 3 years ago, but I'm going to check with the previous owner to see if they were ever replaced. I have a hunch it may have the factory shocks still on it, as it wasn't driven much at all.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma
I am happy with my Bilstein shocks. I ordered from ebay and the price was really good at that time. I don't remember how much, but it was the best price I could find. Now about those tires. I drive a truck provided by the company. When we replaced the tires we purchased Falken brand. They are load range E since it is a 3/4 ton and I specifically asked for load range E. With that being said, they appear to be wearing quickly. They also have a lot more give to them than the previous tires and the Firestone tires i put on my truck. They feel soft if you will, when driving. They are not wearing as well as I thought they would for an E rating. Maybe they are just a cheap tire, i dunno, but not impressed at all.
Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
Likes: 1
From: Gulf Coast of Florida
I'd recommend Bilsteins as well, though I've never (to my knowledge) run KYBs since I bought the truck used. I got 5125's (for a 1-3" lift) since my front is leveled... and I really don't like the look of the yellow bodies of the stock replacements! :P
I ran Load Range D's on my truck (Uniroyal Liberator 285/75R16s - 3400lb rating) and had no problems with them. They last 65,000 miles for me as well, but the legal issue is one to think about for sure.
I ran Load Range D's on my truck (Uniroyal Liberator 285/75R16s - 3400lb rating) and had no problems with them. They last 65,000 miles for me as well, but the legal issue is one to think about for sure.
Gone Fishin for Mark
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 2
From: West of Houston
The letter rating has nothing to do with the rate of wear. It only has to do with the weight carrying capacity. The wear factor comes into play with the hardness of the tread rubber compound. The softer the rubber, the more grip...but the faster the wear. This is the reason that race cars go thru several sets of tires in a race.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Im still up in the air on the Bilsteins.
They seem to be ok most of the time, but I drive alot of gravel, rough crappy roads, and I found that my stock rancho cheapy shocks rode much much nicer, they just didnt last very long.
If your truck see's more pavement then what mine does, maybe the Bilsteins work better?
They seem to be ok most of the time, but I drive alot of gravel, rough crappy roads, and I found that my stock rancho cheapy shocks rode much much nicer, they just didnt last very long.
If your truck see's more pavement then what mine does, maybe the Bilsteins work better?
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 14
From: South Carolina
Tires experience premature wear when they are on a vehicle which is constantly loaded and heavy ( which is equivalent to being on a heavy vehicle-your truck). What is the treadwear rating of your tires (should be on the sidewall)?
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,812
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
The Bilsteins I ordered arrived yesterday, installed them and they are sooo nice. Much better control and less impact, good shocks at a great price. 
But what I removed was Motorcraft and possibly original given the condition of the bolts, so anything would be an improvement after 167k on stockers.
But what I removed was Motorcraft and possibly original given the condition of the bolts, so anything would be an improvement after 167k on stockers.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
Mike:
This is an older thread, and some of the FTe brothers have posted some recent problems with Bilstein in terms of "durability" and "customer service". I'm running two complete sets of Bilsteins now on two 7.3 vehicles, and my plans are to go back with KYB's when it's time to replace what I have. The KYB's seem to have a more consistent reputation from what I'm seeing on the boards. In fact, when I bought my B's through Shockwarehouse, the Shockwarehouse guys were telling me that they knew more about the B's and their application fits than the Bilstein tech service guys did.
This is an older thread, and some of the FTe brothers have posted some recent problems with Bilstein in terms of "durability" and "customer service". I'm running two complete sets of Bilsteins now on two 7.3 vehicles, and my plans are to go back with KYB's when it's time to replace what I have. The KYB's seem to have a more consistent reputation from what I'm seeing on the boards. In fact, when I bought my B's through Shockwarehouse, the Shockwarehouse guys were telling me that they knew more about the B's and their application fits than the Bilstein tech service guys did.
