Hey everyone, new to the site. I have a quick question. I have a 2006 5.4 fx-4. I find the rear bounce around more than it should(in my thoughts) the truck has 135,000 on it. Is it time for new shocks? If so any suggestions.
Thanks in advance!

 

Monroe reflex

 

yeah it is time, monroe is fine I am sure but I put on Rancho 9000 series, a lot beefier than stock and I have been very happy with them.
here's some pics of my install.

<a href="http://s998.beta.photobucket.com/user/kevinjames37/media/DSCN2968.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af106/kevinjames37/DSCN2968.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSCN2968.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s998.beta.photobucket.com/user/kevinjames37/media/DSCN2967.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af106/kevinjames37/DSCN2967.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSCN2967.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s998.beta.photobucket.com/user/kevinjames37/media/DSCN2961.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af106/kevinjames37/DSCN2961.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSCN2961.jpg"/></a>

 

BigUnit, at what mileage did you put them on and do you haul anything? I have an '04 Scab 4x4 that I tow a travel trailer and should throw some new shocks on.

 

I put them on with 90,000 miles on. I don't regularly tow or haul anything heavy. I do occasionally, not often at all, pull my dad's 7X14 enclosed trailer. These shocks are adjustable, have a little dial you turn from 1 to 10, 10 is supposed to be for towing and 1 is a soft setting, I run mine at 4. I think they would work well for you if you weren't getting excessive rearend sag before, these would be great. You know as well as me though that if you were getting too much squat before this won't help you, only an airbag system or like a monroe load leveler would help that.

 

bigunit I really like the looks of those rancho 9000 shocks. I have been what to get, originally I was thinking Blistein 5100? Do you think the rancho would be better, I am ordering a leveling kit in this week, maybe I will order the shocks at the same time! Do you remember what you paid? Thanks

 

I can't say one would be better than the other. Bilstein is a really good brand. But rancho is a good brand also, I know I have been happy with these. I put the rancho quicklift leveling struts on the front, the part number is in my sig, they gave me two inches of lift, it is a preloaded strut so no compressing or anything. But those are a lot pricier than the leveling spacers. I got my front struts from autoshepherd.com, they are like 180 a piece or so. I got my rear shocks from rockauto.com. I gave 88 bucks each but I just looked and they are now $105 each. The part number is rs999286 if you wanted to shop around.

 

I have the Rancho quicklifts up front and the RS5000's in the rear. I'm not sure they are the best but I am certainly pleased with them. They are a significant improvement over the wore out factory shocks they replaced. From what I have read I believe the 5000 is equivalent to the 9000 on the 5 setting but non adjustable. I am fine with the 5000's on the rear but am happy the fronts are adjustable. I had them set at 5 and was not happy with the handling until I turned them up to 9. I always hear good things about kyb and bilstein but do not have much personal experience. For an OEM replacement I have had good luck with Gabriel products.

 

I mentioned earlier about getting a leveling kit. My truck 2006 FX-4, I was told to get a 2.5? After doing some reading I have read that the fx-4 only needs a 1.5 or 2? Has anyone with a fx-4 put a 2" or 2.5" leveling kit on, and were you level. I know it would only be minor but I would like to get as close as possible. I believe I will go with the rancho 9000 rear shocks now just to sort out what leveling kit for the front? Just when I thought I was set??lol

 

On my 04 xlt I originally had 2.5 inch spacers and it was very close to perfectly level. Although personally I thought it was slightly nose up. When I broke a coil spring I got a rancho kit which was 2" and now it is slightly nose down. I am pretty sure the FX4 package has the same ride height as any other 4x4 F150 of the same year but any truck's ride height could be affected by previous abuse or if you decide to install a large brush guard or bull bumper. You could measure the gap between the top of the tire and bottom of the fender front and rear and that should give you a decent idea.

 

I put KYBs all around on my 04 FX4 at 50,000 miles because the rear end was hopping all over the place on rough pavement. It cured the problem and I have a smoother ride.

 

Call pcs custom automotive(888-874-3824)..after the rancho rebate I picked up the front quicklift struts(2.5in lift) and the rear shocks for $405 shipped. Got them friday and if the weather is good I'll put them on tomorrow

 

Any thoughts on pro comp es9000? The place
I buy my stuff from were suggesting them?

 

go with the bilsteins or the ranchos.

 

Thanks alot everyone. Found a local place to buy the Rancho rs9000 for $118 each. Not too bad considering if I buy them onlone in the USA by the time I pay for shipping it would be more.