HI! let me start off by saying my current shocks are shot, and thats putting it nicely. i have been looking at replacement shocks but there are sooo many choices, and i dont want to buy shocks that i end up hating. so without further ado.
the truck is a 1990 ford f150 xlt. 302, 4wd, reg cab and longbed
im looking for something that i can put weight in the back without sagging till my truck looks like a lowrider. but something that wont be too rough of a ride unloaded, i dont pull often, and when i do its at most trailer with another car/ truck on it, most of the time its just weight in the bed.
the ones im looking at are all monroe shocks, but im open to any decent shocks
i like the idea of the oespectrum shocks, but id hate for them to sag when i have a load in the back, the max air shocks might be nice, but id hate for them to be a rough ride all the time, also looking at the load-adjust shocks, hoping those are a compromise between the 2. any and all help is greatly appreciated!

 

the only shocks i have bought for the past 20 years or so are bilsteins, they get put on everything.

 

Had good luck with Monroe gas magnums

 

I have had Monroe Gas Magnum shocks on 3 different trucks over the years, and I like them for what they are. They are probably the best of the not so expensive shocks available. Having said that, I do have plans to upgrade to Bilstein at some point. I am not a fan of Rancho or similar shocks.

 

I have KYB Gas-a-just shocks on my F250. Once they have settled in it rides very well for a truck its size.

 

I also put Monroe Gas Magnums on a few weeks ago I really like them, they work good with heavy suspension.

 

monroe gas magnums seem to be a popular choice, since the bilsteins for my truck are a few weeks out and a little more then id like to pay im gonna try out the load adjusting shocks in the rear, and oespectrum shocks in the front, ill let yall know how it turns out!

 

i just put some motorcrafts back in my truck. no complaints here.

 

Motorcraft shocks here too. Pretty cheap through Rockauto.

Shocks control the spring oscillating and have nothing to do with the rear of the truck sagging when the bed is loaded unless you have air shocks. That is determined by the spring capacity or if the springs are worn out/broken. I had to replace the broken leaf springs when I bought my truck. Now a full load of firewood in my 150, the rear hardly settles at all.

 

All of the shocks mentioned above are good choices. Bilsteins are a favorite of mine.

 

Shocks won't increase load capacity at all! Or keep you from overloading. but depending on the shock it might help to keep down truck sway/roll when loaded. and keep the rear end a little higher. not that keeping the rear end higher does anything but look pretty