Just Installed Bilstein 5100 series Shocks front and rear on my 07 4door FX4 and what a world of difference. Love them and I have only made one trip with them on the truck lol. What a difference over the stock rancho shocks.

The Motorcraft shock the Ford dealer was trying to sell me had a 3 inch too short of a throw on them for the FX4. I went back and talked to the parts guy when I returned them and he triple checked the computer and it kept spitting out the wrong part#. Just a warning if you plan to take a trip to the dealer for them don't bother.
Install wasn't too bad, did it with all 4 on the ground. Took me about 2 hours. Hot as hell out so took my sweet time.

The Bilsteins have a stiffer compression rate and quicker rebound rate. Keeps better contact on the road and doesn't pin the suspension over multiple ruff transitions. Tried a quick stop last night on the old rancho shocks on an uneven paved road last night and got a slight lock up with ABS activating at a pedestrian cross walk at slow speeds. Going to try to hit that same stretch of road and quick stop again and see the change. Just from driving today feels like tires have good solid contact with the road under braking on very bad pavement. Not even a hint of loss of traction under braking and the rear travels alot better over the high speed transitions on Hwy with out the lite hop feeling as it searches(empty Bed/No trailer). All of the Ranchos compressed and rebounded but they are junk. I'll post more after I drive some more.

Thanks to everyone that helped with advice and information. I'm really glad I bought these.

 

Do you have a lift or is it stock.

 

Stock Height.

 

Really nice shock, good valving. I was going to run those but went with Icons vs series shock. Would like to try some reservoirs though maybe King.

 

Pics...Pics...Pics...

 

I am happy with mine, much better then the Rancho shocks that came with the truck.

 

I put bilsteins on shortly after I bought the truck. I could compress the the stock ranchos by hand and they were practically new! What a difference in ride quality. To this day, I think the stock shocks are part the problem with the infamous death wobble as they do not have enough dampening ability with the size/weight of the tires on these beasts.

I've had my bilsteins for just over $100k miles. I wonder when I should replace them?

 

Here are some pics of shocks and the truck.
I Love these shocks. The stock ones did the same thing you described Powerstroke_wannabe. I compress them and they go down like butter and take a long time to come back up. They are binding inside because I can put side pressure on the shaft and they come up a tad faster. Backs were ok but compress like butter. they are ok coming back up but way slower then the bilsteins.

 

Nice! They look really good as well, all shiney.

 

That is one clean Super Duty!

 

I wish mine looked that shinny still. Maybe a little work with some steel wool will fix it that.
That is one nice looking truck, the red is really nice.

 

Yea that was right after a good wash and eagle one wax as you dry. That stuff is great. At first I did not think I would like the red. I typically don't like red on cars or trucks but after seeing it in person it really is a great color of red for one of these trucks. I thought about getting rid of the red bumpers and grill and going with chrome but I think I may just add a chrome grill inserts and be done with it. It spent it's life under a car port until I bought it. I live in Florida so I'm hoping that regular cleaning and waxing will keep her looking hot for years to come.

 

lol and i can't WAIT to get rid of the chrome bumper and grill that came on my '04.

your truck looks great. would look incredible with black wheels, harley headlights, and the chrome steps removed.

 

Jaycenk - Did you get advice on swapping out the shocks on the forum here? If so, can you give me a link to those threads? I have been considering putting Bilstein 5100s on my 2000 F-250. This is going to be the first project I plan to tackle on my own, and I don't want it to be a disaster. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

To be honest I just did a Google search when I was looking for the stock part numbers and saw post after post about what junk the stock Rancho shocks were and everyone kept mentioning Bilsein 5100's or bilstein reservoir shocks. They also mentioned the rancho 9000's and rancho's resi shocks. Those seem to be 2 of the most popular shocks for these trucks. When I joined here I was still gonna buy the stock shocks but after buying them and getting them home and seeing that they would barely fit I said F-it I'm gonna go with popular demand and get bilstiens. Some of the guys on this forum also said the same things I had been reading. Bilstein 5100's or Rancho 9000. Best choice I have ever made in shocks through 5 vehicles and shocks and strut swaps on all 4 corners on those. Did Monroe reflex, KYB-GR2, NAPA brand, KYB mono tubes. On this truck the bilsteins made the most notable difference in over all ride quality and comfort. I have always wanted to do bilstein shocks or struts but always was too cheap to spend a bit extra on them. Never again. Good luck sir.