Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 129
From: Columbia, MD
Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
Posted the question over on the Suspension forum a few days ago, looks like they're all into lifts/offroad/little trucks. So, I'll ask here...
I probably need to replace shocks soon on my 97 F-350, crew cab, long bed, 4x4 PSD; and am looking for recommendations.
Most miles will be on highways and paved back roads with high-volume lightweight loads (people & plastic kayaks/canoes). Will get on some dirt and gravel, but no demanding off-road. Towing is limited to about 3000 lbs on good roads; occasional heavy bed loads are just a few miles coming back from the local home & garden stores.
So, I'm looking for highway ride and back-road (mostly paved) manners with light load. Other uses are infrequent and don't push the truck's performance, so I suspect I won't benefit from adustable shocks. If that's the case, then the extra $$$ and stuff to go wrong would just be negatives.
Thanks for any help.
I probably need to replace shocks soon on my 97 F-350, crew cab, long bed, 4x4 PSD; and am looking for recommendations.
Most miles will be on highways and paved back roads with high-volume lightweight loads (people & plastic kayaks/canoes). Will get on some dirt and gravel, but no demanding off-road. Towing is limited to about 3000 lbs on good roads; occasional heavy bed loads are just a few miles coming back from the local home & garden stores.
So, I'm looking for highway ride and back-road (mostly paved) manners with light load. Other uses are infrequent and don't push the truck's performance, so I suspect I won't benefit from adustable shocks. If that's the case, then the extra $$$ and stuff to go wrong would just be negatives.
Thanks for any help.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
I put Bilstiens on mine and on my Dads trucks and love them. Dads truck is a 97 F-350 CC long bed and it made it ride like a dream. Mine spends a lot of time in the horse pasture and I like the shocks as well off road as I do on the highway.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake, WA
Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
I've heard good things about the Rancho shocks. The 5000's aren't adjustable, so if you're after simplicity, they might be just the ticket. The 9000's are adjustable, and they're excellent from what I hear.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Alberta Canada
Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
I too need shocks on my 97 f350, crew, 4x4, psd. I didnt think shocks would make much difference on a heavy duty suspension. do you guys think new shocks would make a stiff stock suspension ride smoother? I would spend the money on rancho 9000's if it would take out the sharpness of the ride and smooth it out. Any feedback is apreciated.
Ed
Ed
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 129
From: Columbia, MD
Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
How long did the shocks last- Jerrbo66, short answer is that I have no clue.
I got the truck in December, 177 K with a new Jasper rebuilt transmission. Overall looks well-maintained but not pampered. The shocks on it have about the same road grime as the rest of the undercarriage, but no leaks or bent rods. The shocks also don't look like they're anything special. I'm getting a lot of small, almost buzzy bouncing on certain stretches of pavement. Suspension is too stiff to do a typical jump-on-bumper how-may-bounces test, but I do get several sway cycles when I get on the cab steps and yank sideways on the roof rack (rack is for canoes, yesterday I got in the bed and on the steps to trim some branches on the tree I park under).
So, I suspect that the shocks are well worn; I know they're far from new. My thought is they need to be replaced sometime, I might as well get all the good ride plus I'll have a good idea when they're due for replacement again.
I got the truck in December, 177 K with a new Jasper rebuilt transmission. Overall looks well-maintained but not pampered. The shocks on it have about the same road grime as the rest of the undercarriage, but no leaks or bent rods. The shocks also don't look like they're anything special. I'm getting a lot of small, almost buzzy bouncing on certain stretches of pavement. Suspension is too stiff to do a typical jump-on-bumper how-may-bounces test, but I do get several sway cycles when I get on the cab steps and yank sideways on the roof rack (rack is for canoes, yesterday I got in the bed and on the steps to trim some branches on the tree I park under).
So, I suspect that the shocks are well worn; I know they're far from new. My thought is they need to be replaced sometime, I might as well get all the good ride plus I'll have a good idea when they're due for replacement again.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake, WA
Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
Ed the Outdoorsman asked:
Shocks will improve the ride, but not as much as a reverse shackle kit. When the 350's were designed, the shackle on the front leaf springs was placed at the front of the spring, where it can't give any and improve the ride. The reverse shackle kit relocates the shackle to the rear of the spring, and improves the ride immeasurably. The kit itself costs about $500, but makes all the difference in the world regarding ride.
do you guys think new shocks would make a stiff stock suspension ride smoother? I would spend the money on rancho 9000's if it would take out the sharpness of the ride and smooth it out.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 129
From: Columbia, MD
Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
I'm looking for "most sensible replacement" for old shocks that may be worn out. Control and some comfort improvement are desired, but it's a truck and not a limo.
Looks like about $120 to $350 for 4 shocks, depending on what I get, and I can do the install on my buddy's lift and drive away. If I added right from Quadzilla's reply to the reverse shackle thread, an installed kit is about $1 K, and I still probably need shocks. I can think of better things to spend $$$ on (AR-10T, or start on the filter-gages-exhaust trail).
I don't think I want to mess with a self-install except if it's a bolt-on (no welding or drilling) and the springs stay on the axle. Even then, I don't think my buddy has tall jackstands to support the axle while the shackle bolts are out.
So.... Looks like RS-5000s.
UNLESS- is the adjustable feature on the RSX-9000s a plus to "set and forget" your favorite ride, whereas a fixed setting might be somewhat off optimum, or does the adjustment mainly compensate for different loads?
Looks like about $120 to $350 for 4 shocks, depending on what I get, and I can do the install on my buddy's lift and drive away. If I added right from Quadzilla's reply to the reverse shackle thread, an installed kit is about $1 K, and I still probably need shocks. I can think of better things to spend $$$ on (AR-10T, or start on the filter-gages-exhaust trail).
I don't think I want to mess with a self-install except if it's a bolt-on (no welding or drilling) and the springs stay on the axle. Even then, I don't think my buddy has tall jackstands to support the axle while the shackle bolts are out.
So.... Looks like RS-5000s.
UNLESS- is the adjustable feature on the RSX-9000s a plus to "set and forget" your favorite ride, whereas a fixed setting might be somewhat off optimum, or does the adjustment mainly compensate for different loads?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Alberta Canada
Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
Quadzilla, if you are still checking out this thread please give me some more info on the reverse shackle kit you mentioned. I am a canadian boy who is a 15 plus yr bodyman. Can this kit be installed at home? Any web site as to where I can get more info would be appreciated. I am interested in this kit, thanks for your input.
p.s.
Being a new PSD owner and a newcomer to this forum I see that you allways try and help out with most questions.For all of us..... THANKS
Ed
p.s.
Being a new PSD owner and a newcomer to this forum I see that you allways try and help out with most questions.For all of us..... THANKS
Ed
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake, WA
Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
Ed- Here is a link to the folks that make the kit. It's a little intense for the average guy to do at home, since it involves jacking the truck up by the frame, and requires some drilling through the frame. If that stuff doesn't put you off, you could do it yourself, though.
Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.
Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
From: Salem USA
Shock Recommendations for 97 F350 CC 4X4?
I went with the Edlebrock IAS shocks, they did soften the ride some and from what I understand they are up in the same league as the Bilsteins or Rancho 9000x's.
I am also getting ready to do the reverse shackle kit, found a site that sells the Conferr kit for $440 and the ORU kit is $399, trying to determine if there is any difference between them...
May want to do a search, there was a good thread not to long ago talking about all three of these brands and the good/bad. Some where valved for the specific vehicle others used generic valving to fit a range of vehicles .... good info in it though. May have been started by gseeders...don't remember.
I am also getting ready to do the reverse shackle kit, found a site that sells the Conferr kit for $440 and the ORU kit is $399, trying to determine if there is any difference between them...
May want to do a search, there was a good thread not to long ago talking about all three of these brands and the good/bad. Some where valved for the specific vehicle others used generic valving to fit a range of vehicles .... good info in it though. May have been started by gseeders...don't remember.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
shnoop
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
29
Jan 24, 2017 03:19 PM
