Well it's almost that time...
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
Well it's almost that time...
I am now 999.99 miles away from 100k
I always planned on doing quite a bit of maintenance to the truck but one thing has me puzzled. My front shocks.
When I put in the lift spacers is the first time I noticed the spring and shock are one piece. How do I get the two apart?
Also does anybody have any preferences when it comes to shocks? I do a bit of offroading between hunting and playing around (playing around gets a bit rough I won't lie) but 75% of my driving is highway so I don't want anything that could possibly turn my front end into mush.
Thanks
I always planned on doing quite a bit of maintenance to the truck but one thing has me puzzled. My front shocks.
When I put in the lift spacers is the first time I noticed the spring and shock are one piece. How do I get the two apart?
Also does anybody have any preferences when it comes to shocks? I do a bit of offroading between hunting and playing around (playing around gets a bit rough I won't lie) but 75% of my driving is highway so I don't want anything that could possibly turn my front end into mush.
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,743
Likes: 2
From: Henrico, VA
The strut tool is useful but it is also possible to compress the spring with a racket strap and then remove the shock. But if it came out it will fire off like a gun so me careful or just get a whole new assembly. The Ranchos and Bilstiens I have heard people being happy with around here. I believe ProComp has one too now that should be decent. beyond that you would need some research.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 100
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From: Minot, ND.
I put the Bilsteins on my Titan and will probably do the same for the F150. You can get the strut spring compressors from Oreilly's, they cost about $50, but if you return them in 48 hours, they will refund your money, it is a tool loaner program. Make sure you have a table mounted vise to secure the struts in (wrap the base in a towel or rag to prevent marks) before you start tightening down the compressors, it will make the job tons easier. Once they are tightend down the spring will become loose and you just slip out the strut and put a new one in. Should take about an hour per side. I put on the adjustable Bilstein 5100's on, they will give any where from 0-2" of additional heght, but the top setting is pretty stiff, I have them on the middle setting and picked up about 1.5". I took my stock ones out at about 13k miles and even with the practically new OEM struts, it was a world of difference, very little side rolll when cornering, almost no nose dive when slamming on the brakes, my wife says my truck doesn't drive like a truck anymore.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
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400 bucks is a touch too much for a pair of shocks. I would be all over it if they made 3 inches of lift. Not too excited in having to have a special tool to put cheapos back on.
Anybody have or seen anybody with the remote control adjustments? Tags pretty neat.
Anybody have or seen anybody with the remote control adjustments? Tags pretty neat.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 100
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From: Minot, ND.
Not sure who is charging $400 for a set, but your right that is steep. AJUSA.com has them right now for $270 and free shipping for the set, Autoanything.com has them for about the same price and free shipping. Your choice on the instal use the special tool with a refundable deposit or you could pay a shop to do it and you would be looking at about $75-$100 per strut. I would choose to get a quality strut and do it myself for about the same cost as a cheaper set and the shop doing the work for you.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
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Not sure who is charging $400 for a set, but your right that is steep. AJUSA.com has them right now for $270 and free shipping for the set, Autoanything.com has them for about the same price and free shipping. Your choice on the instal use the special tool with a refundable deposit or you could pay a shop to do it and you would be looking at about $75-$100 per strut. I would choose to get a quality strut and do it myself for about the same cost as a cheaper set and the shop doing the work for you.
I did check 4 wheel parts and found this Rancho Part RS999780 - Rancho Quick Lift Leveling Strut
And that's just one. Plus having to have my coils put on them.
Now I'm sure I'm just mistaken.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 100
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From: Minot, ND.
If your not looking to get any additional lift the Bilstien HD's (4600) are also a nice shock they run about $120 each for the front strut, again at AJUSA, I have done business with them and always got my parts quickly, they seem to beat everyones prices and usually have some sort of promo going on. I was looking at the price for the 5100's but had a 05 xlt (my sons truck) listed, for a 07 fx4 they are $297 for the set.
http://www.ajusa.com/Bilstein-Monotu...12b3q6be1.html
http://www.ajusa.com/Bilstein-Monotu...12b3q6be1.html
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