I got a 04 F-150 XLT 4.6 L 4door super crew 4X4 "new body style " with factory shocks/struts. Looking to change that. I'm looking to level out the front since they dive. I was thinking of KYB and a leveling kit or Rancho Loaded Quick Lift rs9000XL (front) & Rancho rs9000Xl shock absorbers (Rear)(triple tubes ) but knowledge is low in this area .. I tow a 21' boat and do mostly highway and city driving. Factory wheels If all that factors in at all... Just looking for it ride good and look good. Not worried about losing gas mileage. What are my options ? What do you guys think I should do ? You get what you pay for so I'm lookin to do it right .. Help me plz
Kevin

 

i have some feedback on the rancho rs 9000. i had them on my toyota years ago. i installed a front to rear switch and later changed them from side to side, probably not the thing to do unless you are really good on focusing. anyway they were great. i finally broke one coming around a high speed banked curve on mount hood. again when it broke in the side to side mode it was really challenging to keep it o.t.g.

 

I have them on my 250 and am happy with them.
They advertise that you can choose between 9 different settings to adjust the ride quality. The reality (for me) is that getting down on the ground to reach under the truck to turn a little red **** with a little number that I can't really see to an index mark that I'm not sure of isn't happening. When I installed them, I set them all to '5' and that's where they've been since then. I've been happy with the ride, so maybe I got lucky and hit the correct setting the first time.
I had considered Bilstein's, but the Rancho's have much larger diameter tubes and rods. To me, this means more oil in the body, which means less heat and cavitation. The stronger rods seem like a good thing, too. Additionally, the Rancho's have nice silicone boots to protect the rods from road salt and other hazards; the Bilstein's leave the rods exposed.
Finally, the Rancho's cost less. Rancho puts their shocks on sale twice a year and it is easy to find an online discount code for Rockauto to combine with the purchase.


Edit: It wasn't until after I posted a response that I realized the OP was a year ago!

 

I have them on my 2005 fx4. I replaced the original ones for these to raise the front 2" for my plow. Turns out the original springs were broken at the bottom. I ended up with a 4" lift after I installed them. Make sure you get the alignment done after there in or you'll wear the tires and have goofy steering. So far so good. I would buy again