Looking to replace / upgrade shocks
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2015
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Looking to replace / upgrade shocks
What have we found to be the best shocks to use for a bone stock F-350, 4x4
w/ 20" wheels. On my own I'd tend to lean towards Bilstines but am open to input and suggestions from other directions. My truck has 43,000 miles. I did have a few brief instances of death wobble. Dealer couldn't find anything
( I think they didn't look too hard either) while under warranty. Daily driver and I tow a 30' TT, we spend a lot of time on the road.
Thanks All,
Roger from NJ
w/ 20" wheels. On my own I'd tend to lean towards Bilstines but am open to input and suggestions from other directions. My truck has 43,000 miles. I did have a few brief instances of death wobble. Dealer couldn't find anything
( I think they didn't look too hard either) while under warranty. Daily driver and I tow a 30' TT, we spend a lot of time on the road.
Thanks All,
Roger from NJ
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Western MA
Roger, I ran Bilstein's on my 2012. While they were a great shock for towing and when loaded heavy, they were a bit firm the rest of the time. This time around I'm going with Fox 2.0's on my 2017. Many have told me they offer the same control as the Bilstein's but a more compliant ride. I can't comment either way. They are on my work bench waiting for the new rear lower bushings and sleeves to make them fit a 2017. Should be any day now...
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Thanks Rodney. Most of my driving is with our TT in tow. We just got home from a 3month trip south. I don't mind a stiff ride, after all it is a truck. I've never been happy with the factory ones so it's about time to upgrade
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
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From: Western MA
I hear you on the firm ride but if I can have both compliance and control, I'll take it. I agree though that I won't sacrifice control while towing for a smooth ride. The 5100's were amazing with 20k behind my last truck.
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
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From: Western MA
Absolutely. The OE Ford shocks leave a lot to be desired. My 2012 had 3 of 4 blown at 900 miles! It was an FX4 so it had the fake Rancho shocks that have a much worse rep than the regular Ford shocks though. The Bilsteins are also a great value. The Fox's I ordered were about double the Bilstein's price...
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34
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From: Reno, Nevada
Another vote for the Bilstein 5100's...I replaced the factory shocks and steering stabilizer at 20,000 miles and there is a world of difference ...
Larry
Larry
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
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Bolstering 4600 series, not 5100 unless you plan to be off road a lot or will lift the truck. Plenty of support towing 26k combined weight, and ok ride empty. For the best ride empty, you need to lower tire pressure, but at best I am 50/50, so not worth the bother...
Can'the believe you waited 40+k miles. On my last two rigs oem were gone within 1k=junk shocks.
Can'the believe you waited 40+k miles. On my last two rigs oem were gone within 1k=junk shocks.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Las Cruces, NM
The Bilstein 5100s are for a lift of 0 to 2 inches. The Bilsteins 4600s (blue and yellow) are for stock height. I'm thinking that 0 lift and stock is pretty much the same. The product info from Bilstein indicates that there is no difference between the innards, yet the 5100s cost quite a bit more than the 4600s. I ran the yellow and blue on my last truck (Chev 3500 dually) and was pleased with them.
Is there a difference that anyone has seen that would warrant the higher cost, except for the color?
Is there a difference that anyone has seen that would warrant the higher cost, except for the color?
Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Western MA
No, there is no difference other than the color between the 4600 and 5100 series. Here is a great write up on Shock Warehouse's website on the two... Bilstein 5100 vs Heavy Duty 4600 - Shockwarehouse.com
"Although they are different brands and may appear to be very different from each other the Bilstein 5100 and Heavy Duty actually share many of the same components and ride characteristics.
The main difference between the Bilstein Heavy Duty vs Bilstein 5100s is that the Heavy Duty or 4600 series is designed for stock height trucks and the 5100 Series is built for lifted trucks. The other major difference between the Heavy Duty and 5100 is that the Bilstein 5100 Series shocks have a zinc coating with a brushed metal shock body and a black boot while the Heavy Duty uses a painted yellow body with a blue dust boot.
The Similarities: The 5100 series and the Heavy Duty shocks use the same technology internally. Both use the same internal valving and at stock height will ride the same (shocks for lifted trucks may use different valving settings in order to accommodate the extra weight of larger tires). Both shocks are pressurized with 360 psi of nitrogen to prevent shock fade and foaming of the shock oil. The outer construction of both shocks is identical as well with an extruded metal body rather for maximum strength and top of the line seals. The 5100 series and Heavy Duty 4600 series are both covered under Bilstein's limited lifetime warranty that protects against any manufacturer defects for the life of the shock.
For stock height trucks, the Bilstein Heavy Duty yellow and blue shocks are the most popular choice, because they typically cost a few dollars less than the 5100 shocks and provide excellent performance for towing, light offroading or normal driving. Many customers do prefer the 5100 Series even on stock trucks because the shortest 5100s are typically built for 0 to 2 inches of suspension lift, meaning they can run the 5100 on their stock height truck but leave the option open for a lift later on down the road.
For leveled trucks, where the owner has either purchased an aftermarket leveling kit or turned their truck's torsion keys up, Bilstein has shocks designed specifically for a 1-3 inch leveling kit. On some trucks with coilover type front shocks, a Bilstein 5100 Leveling Shock is available that is capable of lifting the front of the vehicle up. We recommend using the 5100 rear shocks along with your front 5100s on leveled trucks because the rear 5100 shocks are usally an inch longer than stock to accommodate a small lift. In our experience, once someone gets a taste of lifting their truck, they always go back for more. If you already have the 5100 shocks on the rear, you always have that option without needing to buy new shocks when you decide to add the lift.
For lifted trucks, the Bilstein 5100 series is the only choice. With a few exceptions, all Heavy Duty shocks are designed only for use on stock height trucks. Bilstein 5100 shocks are designed for every size of lift for popular trucks, so whether your truck is a modified daily driver or an all-out offroad monster, there is a Bilstein 5100 shock to fit it."
"Although they are different brands and may appear to be very different from each other the Bilstein 5100 and Heavy Duty actually share many of the same components and ride characteristics.
The main difference between the Bilstein Heavy Duty vs Bilstein 5100s is that the Heavy Duty or 4600 series is designed for stock height trucks and the 5100 Series is built for lifted trucks. The other major difference between the Heavy Duty and 5100 is that the Bilstein 5100 Series shocks have a zinc coating with a brushed metal shock body and a black boot while the Heavy Duty uses a painted yellow body with a blue dust boot.
The Similarities: The 5100 series and the Heavy Duty shocks use the same technology internally. Both use the same internal valving and at stock height will ride the same (shocks for lifted trucks may use different valving settings in order to accommodate the extra weight of larger tires). Both shocks are pressurized with 360 psi of nitrogen to prevent shock fade and foaming of the shock oil. The outer construction of both shocks is identical as well with an extruded metal body rather for maximum strength and top of the line seals. The 5100 series and Heavy Duty 4600 series are both covered under Bilstein's limited lifetime warranty that protects against any manufacturer defects for the life of the shock.
For stock height trucks, the Bilstein Heavy Duty yellow and blue shocks are the most popular choice, because they typically cost a few dollars less than the 5100 shocks and provide excellent performance for towing, light offroading or normal driving. Many customers do prefer the 5100 Series even on stock trucks because the shortest 5100s are typically built for 0 to 2 inches of suspension lift, meaning they can run the 5100 on their stock height truck but leave the option open for a lift later on down the road.
For leveled trucks, where the owner has either purchased an aftermarket leveling kit or turned their truck's torsion keys up, Bilstein has shocks designed specifically for a 1-3 inch leveling kit. On some trucks with coilover type front shocks, a Bilstein 5100 Leveling Shock is available that is capable of lifting the front of the vehicle up. We recommend using the 5100 rear shocks along with your front 5100s on leveled trucks because the rear 5100 shocks are usally an inch longer than stock to accommodate a small lift. In our experience, once someone gets a taste of lifting their truck, they always go back for more. If you already have the 5100 shocks on the rear, you always have that option without needing to buy new shocks when you decide to add the lift.
For lifted trucks, the Bilstein 5100 series is the only choice. With a few exceptions, all Heavy Duty shocks are designed only for use on stock height trucks. Bilstein 5100 shocks are designed for every size of lift for popular trucks, so whether your truck is a modified daily driver or an all-out offroad monster, there is a Bilstein 5100 shock to fit it."
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 832
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The porting pressure is slightly different - helpful when really off road. Appearance and ability to lift "a bit" without changing shocks - maybe priceless to some, but not to me.
there are 5100 series versions that allow a lot of lift, but they will not work at oem height.
the steering stabilizer is only available in the 5100 series finish. Frankly, the stainless appearance is not stainless for long near the ocean.
there are 5100 series versions that allow a lot of lift, but they will not work at oem height.
the steering stabilizer is only available in the 5100 series finish. Frankly, the stainless appearance is not stainless for long near the ocean.
The Bilstein 5100s are for a lift of 0 to 2 inches. The Bilsteins 4600s (blue and yellow) are for stock height. I'm thinking that 0 lift and stock is pretty much the same. The product info from Bilstein indicates that there is no difference between the innards, yet the 5100s cost quite a bit more than the 4600s. I ran the yellow and blue on my last truck (Chev 3500 dually) and was pleased with them.
Is there a difference that anyone has seen that would warrant the higher cost, except for the color?
Is there a difference that anyone has seen that would warrant the higher cost, except for the color?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 128
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I had the Icon 2.0 with their leveling kit and the ride was good but after 4 years two of the shocks started to leak. I ended buying the bilstein 5160 as a temporary shock while I got the 2.0 rebuilt. The ride was much better than the 2.0 and I ended up keeping them on and now have about 20k on them. They really improved the ride and the buck from hitting the speed bumps is gone. A vote for the 5160 here.
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Thanks all for the input. I went ahead and ordered the 5100's for all 4 corners and the Bilstein steering stabilizer as well. While under there might as well do it all. I've had several brief episodes of death wobble. I can make it happen anytime but ford tech's didn't believe me. I do a lot of driving but mostly with my 8k trailer in tow. I'm pretty gentle on it as far as driving style goes but hopefully this upgrade will tell me I should have done it awhile ago.
Thanks again, Happy Easter to you all.
Roger from NJ
Thanks again, Happy Easter to you all.
Roger from NJ