So, went to pick up the new 5ver today. I wasn't sure if I'd need airbags for the 3k pin weight and figured the ride home from MD to MA would tell me. The truck didn't squat as much as I thought (was just about level when I hooked up) and I was thinking I was good. Well, about 200 miles into the trip, every large dip or bump in the highway caused a decent bounce in the rear end. I know the Rancho's on the FX4 are crap, so could this be the problem? It did get worse with time so I was thinking the shocks faded. I guess they will need replacement soon enough so I may as well just do it now and see if it cures the bounce before buying bags. Thoughts?

 

Airbags will help. What kind of hitch do you have? What kind of king pin do you have? More-ride, etc.? Rancho's on the truck need to go but air bags will make the biggest difference - my $.02

 

Solid King Pin for now on a Reese 18K Elite hitch. I had bags on my 09 250 but only because it squatted so much. This truck is level with load. Plus it got worse with time so I figured it was the shocks. Maybe I'll start there and get bags if necessary.

 

That's what I where I would start

 

Have ford replace them under warranty first, then replace them. That way you have a new set of "emergency" shocks and ford realizes they sold crap shocks in the first place.

 

You know, I was thinking the same, but my truck is only 3 days old with 800 miles. I don't imagine new warranty shocks would be any different than the new 800 mile shocks on the truck. So, who's the cheapest for Bilsteins right now?

 

Bilstein 5100 Shock install with VIDEO!!! will probably answer your questions. Certainly, you can go cheaper than the Bilstein's but do you want to do that as you already have seriously cheap shocks on your truck right now. I just refuse to provide Rancho with any additional money after removing my FX4 shocks at 8k miles and seeing that they were junk. Bilstein 5100's on mine and I am satisfied.