Shock Recommendations?
New User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 18
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From: Orlando, FL
Bilsteins have a good reputation for bang for the buck. I believe they are made in USA too. I run them on my truck and my cars. Shocks though will have no affect on your truck squatting. What you are looking for there are air bags.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 6
There likely will be a pretty nice improvemet you don't say give any info on your truck or what shocks are on there now but if running stock shocks they're pretty much junk to start with and this has been the case since super duties came out. I recently put bilstein 5100's on mine and would recommend them and have already sold a couple sets since I did mine it rides much better just don't expect it to turn it in to an air ride Cadillac. The 2 most popular options here are the bilstein 5100's and the rancho 9000's.
New User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 18
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From: Orlando, FL
Mine has the Bilstein 5100 leveling kit that comes also with springs but unfortunately was installed prior to my getting it so I can't compare. The reason I had those parts installed though was because of the positive reviews I came across here. Bilstein has a great reputation for quality and durability in the realm of non adjustable shocks/struts. Alot of GM vehicles come with them as oem as well as some premium Ford vehicles like the SVT cobras
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 133
From: Maryland
I recently installed the Rancho RS9000 adjustable shocks on my 250. They did improve the ride a bit unloaded. I run 3 in the rear and 5 up front when not towing. I had the oem junk on before so the ride is better.
Like everything else there will be many opinions, but the two most referenced are Bilstien and Rancho. There are some high end shocks too, but I don't see the need for them personally.
Like everything else there will be many opinions, but the two most referenced are Bilstien and Rancho. There are some high end shocks too, but I don't see the need for them personally.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 133
From: Maryland
I mean I am running setting 3 on the rear shocks and setting 5 on the front shocks.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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Thanks
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 930
Likes: 6
The good ol' days!!!!
Those Toyota guys ran a lot of shocks for us.
Ha!
Those Toyota guys ran a lot of shocks for us.
Ha!
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I have been running Monroe Reflex shocks for the past 5 years or so. They just soak up the bumps, they don't stiffen up the ride. The valving is variable. I just traded in my old pair of Reflex shocks last year to get new ones through Rock Auto.(manufacturers warranty) I think it cost me like $3 all said and done for the 4 new Reflex shocks as they gave me a very good price on return shipping of the old shocks. If you want a more expensive shock than the Reflex I'd get some type of mono tube with reactive valving or similar.
Bilstein doesn't stand behind their products, I wouldn't buy a hat from them because of that.
Bilstein doesn't stand behind their products, I wouldn't buy a hat from them because of that.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 158
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Bilstein doesn't stand behind their products, I wouldn't buy a hat from them because of that.
Thought that should be said again.
I have the Rancho 9,000s on mine. I thought the adjustment would be a joke, but there were numerous people stating it really makes a difference. So I went out on a limb and purchased them. You really can feel a difference between the lower and higher settings and adjust them to what you want. I love them.
I spray the adjuster down with pb-blaster and turn them each way a little bit at every oil change because I could see the road salt freezing them and making them non-adjustable.
Thought that should be said again.
I have the Rancho 9,000s on mine. I thought the adjustment would be a joke, but there were numerous people stating it really makes a difference. So I went out on a limb and purchased them. You really can feel a difference between the lower and higher settings and adjust them to what you want. I love them.
I spray the adjuster down with pb-blaster and turn them each way a little bit at every oil change because I could see the road salt freezing them and making them non-adjustable.