New shock question.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2015
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New shock question.
I've done some reading on new shocks here and the consensus seems to be Bilstein 5100's. My question is this: my truck had a 4" lift as near as I can tell. The shocks currently on it and e stamped Motorcraft which leads me to think they may be OEM. Is there a particular part number for a truck with 4" lift or do I need to worry about that?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
I've tried Bilsteins and Pro Comps, with not much difference between the two. I might look at Rancho adjustable shocks for the rear if and when one of these wear out - there are members here that have them and have good feedback.
The shocks are only part of the ride - my front springs had this funky thing going on where the two leaves had a space between them. The springs were so wimped out, that it strained an early set of shocks - wearing them out in 18 just months. The Bilsteins helped the ride in the nose, but new springs helped more - and they aid in protecting the front shocks from premature failure.
The shocks are only part of the ride - my front springs had this funky thing going on where the two leaves had a space between them. The springs were so wimped out, that it strained an early set of shocks - wearing them out in 18 just months. The Bilsteins helped the ride in the nose, but new springs helped more - and they aid in protecting the front shocks from premature failure.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 914
Likes: 4
I recently installed Rancho 9000 shocks, front and rear. I'm happy with them. I have the front set on "7". I had the rear also on "7", which was good when the truck was loaded, but way too harsh when empty. They are currently on "5", which is good empty, but a bit too soft when loaded (3k-4k lbs in the bed).
I had had visions of constantly adjusting them every time I loaded/emptied the the truck, but that's just too much of a hassle.
I had had visions of constantly adjusting them every time I loaded/emptied the the truck, but that's just too much of a hassle.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2011
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 259
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From: Powell, wy
Last year I installed bilstein 5100's on my crew cab. I have the 4"-6" lift ones. I've replaced shocks on many vehicles over the years and never felt much of a difference. The Bilsteins were the first ones that made a very noticable difference. My wife didn't like riding in my truck on long trips before the shocks due to her arthritis. Now she doesn't complain. When I installed them I took her for a ride and she noticed how much of a difference they made. I've put about 10,000 miles on them and they have lost a very small amount of the dampening they had when new, but still work great. Napa roads are some of the worst roads in the Bay Area, so they probably have been worked more than they should in those miles.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
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From: San Diego, CA
I have been running Rancho RS9000XL shocks for a few years now and love them. Got them when Rancho was running the buy 3 get 1 free deal. They're great on- and off-road. I like the adjustability so I can change things between unloaded (around '5' setting), loaded (bump up the rear to about the '8' setting), and off-roading (all of them down to the '1' setting).
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