My 2010 Platinum now has 60,000 miles on it and although I have a Ford ESP extended warranty I am thinking about switching to another brand of shock absorber. I should point out that Ford has replaced both rear shocks under warranty and I have a front shock that is failing now. I have read every post I can find online on the subject and most say "Wow I love my new shocks". Has anyone used any of the following brands who would be willing to describe the results? Bilstein, Fox, Rancho and King are all brands I would consider.

I basically do not want to modify the trucks suspension beyond the shocks. I use this truck as a daily driver, I transport the occasional Vespa (I am a Vespa dealer) and I tow a 4300 gvwr Airstream trailer.

I would like to think that there is a durable shock absorber out there that will not stiffen up the truck's suspension but that will still control wheel hop on rough roads. I would love to try a set of the Fox 2.5 Factory replacements but this is a lot of money to plunk down for a shock that I have never driven. I know that the shocks can be re-set as to damping characteristics but I wonder what other people have tried and what they like....
Thanks,
BB

 

You can't go wrong with the yellow bilsteins.

 

Yep, yellow Bilsteins. Shockwarehouse.com has been a good supplier for me in the past.

 

OK I'll bite. How does the ride compare with the factory shock on the 09-12 F-150 with the Bilsteins?

 

cant say how they work on the f150's, but ive been very happy with the Ranch RS5000's i put on my explorer.

to me, the rancho's ride very close to the OEM shocks, and FAR better than the top line monroe's (reflex) i put on last time.

i live on gravel, and some of our roads are pretty crappy, so a good shock makes a big difference on ride and stability, and the rancho's seem to control wheel movement over washboards very well without riding harsh.

i'm sure the bilstines are top notch, however, my preference is a low pressure shock for ride. The high pressure designs probably do a better job of keeping the tire glued to the road, but that control can come at the cost of some ride quality.

 

I don't have Bilsteins on my 2011. But I have them on my Bronco and I've had them on other F150s. The ride is slightly firmer going over bumps but they feel more stable in the corners with less body roll.

 

I put the Bilstein HDs (from 4WheelParts.com) on mine, and like NASSTY said, the ride firmed up a bit, with much more stability and control. Night and day difference from the OEMs. Wish there was a way to order them on a new truck right from the factory...

 

I have made the move to the Bilsteins on my '09 Supercrew max tow vehicle. Original shocks had 27K mi on them and when removed, had about 1" of no-resistance travel, then the shock started to work. Even in the functioning part of travel, they were much softer than the Bilsteins (46 series).
VERY pleased with the result. Since the vehicle at mile 1 was underdamped (IMHO), this change has reduced the sloppiness of the suspension, reduced body roll in cornering, etc. I did not consider going in for factory shocks even under warranty. Do the Bilsteins now and be done for life of vehicle (or close to it).

 

You do not mind the additional stiffness then. I live in New England and the roads here are frost damaged and pretty rough, especially in the spring. Does the stiffer ride become bothersome at all?

 

There IS a slight increase in initial stiffness. That is, small road imperfections that would not be noticeable with the stock shocks are felt with the Bilsteins. It is not objectionable and the upside of how much more controlled the vehicle feels overwhelms this "downside" 100 to 1. Figure if you don't want to feel anything on the road, stay home on the couch.
On a related note, I changed the rears myself, then had a shop do the fronts. The vehicle has a strut arrangement upfront and you need spring compressors.
I would make the change again, only when the vehicle was brand new. I live in Mich, land of much frost and NO money so roads are a mess.

 

Thanks for your input. I repair cars for a living so I can replace the shocks myself. I am hesitant because I have a lifetime of stories about really bad aftermarket parts! I pretty much refuse to install KYB shock absorbers anymore as they are just way too stiff. I have certainly used a lot of Bilstein shocks and there is no question that they are a quality piece. I am still considering a set of Fox Factory 2.5's as I can re-valve and adjust the shocks as I feel I need to. It is a lot of money though...... decisions, decisions.....
Thanks!

 

I'm not trying to push you in my direction, by any means. but I would bet our roads are on par with what you have out in your neck of the woods.

everything that has been said about the increase in stiffness and the increase feel in control is 100% accurate with everything i have experienced when comparing a high pressure shock with a low pressure shock.

it is also the reason i am sold on the low pressure designs. As long as i can find a shock for my trucks that are a low pressure design, that is what i will buy.

if you do not like they KYB's, i doubt very much that you will like the bilsteins (IMO). I have used Monroe, KYB, and Rancho on various vehicles, and for ride the Rancho's are the best, hands-down.

the thing about the HP shocks is that they can keep the tire in contact with the road, but when the road is a total POS (like ours), you need a shock that will let the wheel bound over the bump, then rebound quickly and in a controlled manner to maintain control. In my experience, the Rancho's do just that, and do it very well. The ride is very OEM-like, so if that is what you want, then you will want a Low pressure shock.

If you are willing to give up a little ride, and feel every crack in the road (which around here is every 6 inches or so), then go with the Bilstiens. But if you are tired of every bump making your dash rattle, then get the Rancho's. JMHO. You may give up a level of performance that the Bilstiens can provide, but not so much that you will ever feel "out of controll" over any bump you will encounter on the road.

So far i've put 5k miles on my Rancho's, pulled numerous trailers over the worst roads you can imagine, and i will never go back to another HP shock so long as i can get one that isn't.

good luck on your purchase!