Ok fellas I have a 79 F100 2WD short bed. I'm looking to get some quality shocks. I don't do any hauling towing or anything other than street driving with the occasional rough roads. This girl rides hard. On a slightly rough road going about 10-15 MPH (just an estimate can't remember) she starts driving sideways on me lol anyways I'm looking at the Monroe Sensa-tracs. Would it be worth spending the money on these front AND rear?

 

Excuse my spelling error lol

 

For the fronts, I recommend Bilstein shocks, PN B46-1105. For the rear, I recommend the Monroes you were looking at. NAPA re-brands Monroes for their own label.

Shock absorbers are just that... there to absorb the shock and control oscillation. The front springs carry more weight and therefore do more "work". The back in is heavily depended on the leaf spring rating with less emphasis on the absorption.. especially when loaded.

Want to really improve handling? Install a front swaybar on these nose-heavy rigs to reduce the side to side moment angle and weight transfer. Visit Addco, Hellwig, or a salvage yard for an OEM set up from a 2WD 75-79.

 

No offense HIO, myself and several others as documented here on FTE have had some bad luck with Bilstein's blowing seals & overheating. I used to really like them, but not so much anymore.

FOX Shocks are the only way to go, in my opinion. They partnered with BDS Suspension and now have shocks available for pretty much any application of trucks.

Some people and oil field companies around my neck of the woods have also had pretty good success with Rancho 9000 series.

In my experience shocks absolutely fit into the old adage... "you get what you pay for".

 

No offense taken. But I have used Bilsteins since 1982 on multiple vehicles and haven't had an issue. Btw, the OP's rig is a 2WD... it'd likely be overkill to run Fox shocks unless it's a prerunner. For a street rig, Bilstein stands as my recommendation.

My opinion would be different with a 4WD... King, Fox, BDS-spec, and yes, Rancho 5000s or 9000s

 

I agree, I used to run them on all my trucks, but he was talking about rough roads and getting sideways from what I assume is a washboard road. High quality "off road" style shocks are his best chance at seeing a drastic improvement for what he described.

 

Yes WASHBOARD road!!! For the life of me I couldn't think of the name for it! I'm gonna do some research on pricing for all the shocks you guys mentioned. I was looking at the Sensa Tracs because of the discount I'll receive working at O'Reilly. But I don't wanna go cheap on my girl just for a discount

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...k-failure.html

 

Ah. I see. Then yeah, the Bilsteins will be a bit stiff. Concur with the 'Gambler.... But I'd opt for Rancho 5000 or 9000s... good quality at a good price point.

 

I have the Bilsteins on my towing rig and Rancho's on my other one. Both been good so far.