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I need new shocks on my 350. i already have an idea on what I want, (king,fox,bilstein) something high end, but my dilemma is I don't know the specifications I need. Like the compressed and extended length and the length in general plus I plan on lifting the truck eventually 2 or 3 inches and was wondering if there was a shock that could fit a stock suspension and a lift kit. Any help appreciated
Bilstein 5100's are a great and popular setup. You can get them in 0-2" lift or longer if you want to lift more. You will need to know what kind of lift you are going to do before ordering.
Ive got the Bils 5100's now and not really my favorite. Pretty bouncy and stiff being much more than my older Ranch 9000's. Actually just place a order today for new 9000's. Bils have about 60k on them now. My truck is all stock
Rear shock is likely to work either way, but on the front (because they are vertical not angled) you will need longer for the lift. To be sure, you can measure and do the trigonometry. This is math for my truck:
Front
Stock – ride height = 19” (eye to upper bracket), Max compressed length = 15.5”
2” lift – ride height =21”, Max compressed length = 15.5” with no change to bump stop
Rear (f250, 2" block)
Stock - ride height = 24”, max compressed length bottomed out on bump stops = 20.2”
2” lift – ride height = 25.9”, max compressed length bottomed out on bump stops = 21.2” (shock is angled)
Front 5100 = 24-185776 (14.88 compressed, 24.37 extended)
Rear 5100 = 24-062466 (20" compressed, 32 extended). <- note this will work for 0 to 6"+ lift
Note the "0-2" lift 5100, PN 24-186018 is only 21.42" extended. This is barely enough for stock, and would not let axle droop at all with 2.5 in lift.
I will also add that the front shock is what limits travel, and there are no brackets holding the springs in place.... So too long is not good either.
I removed the 5100s and went with Icon 2.0s
Front = 66512
Rear = 36508