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suspension upgrade help

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Old Nov 20, 2015 | 11:11 PM
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Question suspension upgrade help

I am the second owner of a 2011 F150 screw XTR 4x4. I moved to Montana and now have access and use logging and gravel roads regularly for hunting and fishing. I used to live here and drive a 96 Ranger 4x2 4cyl short box on the same roads--with no issues.

My current truck floats around when I drive the roads. At one point the washboards were so bad I had to stop and creep to stay incontrol of my truck. 4 wheel drive didn't give me any help. I was passed by several sedans during this trip...not something I was proud of, but given my wife and three young children were with me, I needed to be safe.

As far as I know everything on the truck is factory. Though my tires are 18" Hankook highways that I put on for the move and towing a trailer out here.

Do you think it is my suspension?

My family all has super-duty Fords or Chevys and they handle like a dream. The ride is rough but I never feel out of control when driving them. Granted they are heavier...
 

Last edited by troutslayerMT; Nov 21, 2015 at 04:13 PM. Reason: added important details about experience.
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Old Nov 21, 2015 | 11:56 AM
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
How many miles are on the truck? Any sign of leakage from the shocks? What tire pressure are you running?
 
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Old Nov 21, 2015 | 04:11 PM
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48k for miles, 40psi for pressure and there is no sign of leakage on shocks. Springs look fine, too.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2015 | 09:50 AM
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Exclamation

I looks like at least the rear-shocks need to be replaced. I have a friend who can help me get a good deal through a chain auto parts store. I definitely want to upgrade to off-road shocks rather than combined because I will be driving on forest service and heavily traveled (wash boarded) secondary and county roads in NW MT at least once a month.

I'll sacrifice hwy comfort for off-road stability.

The front shocks are strutted, and I'd like to keep them under $200 each (the $500 each options I found online are way out of my price range).

I won't be hauling heavy stuff too often, maybe an elk () once a year and occasionally a full bed of larch or fir when bucking firewood with buddies.

Thanks for any help in selecting the proper gear to match my rig!
 
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