I bought my '99 F250 4x4 with ~50,000 miles on the odometer.
Shortly thereafter I replaced the worn out factory shocks with Bilstein 4600, they made a huge difference in how the truck rode and steered.
Today, 100,000 miles later I replaces all 4 Bilstein shocks with the same 4600 and also replaced the extremely old worn out steering stabilizer.
Here is the reason for this post.

I opened the box with the Bilstein 5100 steering stabilizer in it and it was already fully extended. I've never seen a stabilizer that was designed this way and had not failed to fully open position. I was CONCERNED because I had read that a few people had issues with this pressurized type of SS caused their truck to veer/pull to one side.
I just removed the OLD 100,000 mile shocks and tested them against the new ones for performance and found them to be ~70% as quick to recover as the new ones! I figured that if the SS 5100 was designed anywhere near as well as the 4600 shocks then I could stop worrying.
The test drive confirmed that Bilstein does indeed know what they are doing. (DUH) I had zero problems with wandering or pulling anymore.
Just wanted to share good news with those of us who worry too much about the details. (the devil IS in the details)
Here is a photo of my STOCK motorcraft SS that stayed on the truck 150,000 miles. Not that it worked that long it was just on the truck.........
Ron

 

Nicely done Ron.

I added a Bilstein stabilizer to my truck as well. My truck wasn't equipped with a stabilizer, so it made a vast improvement.

Thread linked below has part numbers used for installation.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1283297-single-bilstein-stabilizer-w-pics.html

 

Got the 5100 steering stabilizer on my 08 and have no wondering. The old was totally worn out. New one helped for plowing a lot.

Put the same one on my 2011 2500HD Silverado and it immediately pulled to the right. Took it off the next day. It's all about design of the trucks I guess.

 

I also added the 5100 Bilstein to my truck and no more death wobble!

 

Same for me. I replaced my stock steering stabilizer and my death wobble went away. I also replaced my stock shocks at the same time. I noticed an improvement in ride quality also. Truck drives like new again.

 

I just picked up a 2003 F-250 with 150K on the clock and I replaced both the steering stabilizer, the bushings on the sway bar and the sway bar links themselves. WHAT a difference in the way the truck drives!

Depending on the amount and kind of work a used truck has done, those are also weak points in the suspension system. Bushings especially. YMMV.

 

Great post Ron and thanks for sharing!

I plan on the same upgrades of shocks and SS. As you, I always worry about the details....always worried about the devil is in the details!!

we'd make great surgeons.....always worried about leaving a tool in someone...not on our watch!!