So I have some rust holes in my shocks, don't know if they're OEM or not, figured I'd change them. I have a 2003 F350 SCLB 4x4 with 5.4L. I have the factory snowplow prep package.

Will standard shocks fit this truck or do I have to by longer ones because of the Factory blocks / lift?

I was looking at Monroe & Rancho, the Monroes are about $32.00 each and the Rancho are about $50 each. Either way is fine for pricing, I just want to make sure I buy the correct ones. Are there other ones I should be looking at?

The truck is only used for hauling, whatever will fit in the bed and a couple of times a year I pull a 6x12 dbl axle enclosed trailer from Chicago to North MS area, not sure of the weight of the trailer as I've always had either 250's or 350's and knew they were more than enough to haul that small trailer.

Thanks for any input.

 

I have a 2000 SD with the v10
several years ago i installed rancho shocks with steeringdamper. They lasted for a long time. Not sure how long i just replaced them at about 100,000 miles they were word out..
I went with Bilstiens. I pull a landscaping trailer with 2 ztr’s about 2500 pounds, every day...

i herd so much about Bilstiens i had to try them. There more expensive, but i have no complaints about rancho...

do your self a favor and replace the steering damper too.....its all an easy install. Nothing special to look for or look out for.

best of luck...

 

Thanks Lawnpro979, I'll look into the Bilstiens and steering dampener too. I do have some slop in the steering. I replaced the tie rods an links plus the ball joints, I was leaning toward the gear box because of 135000 miles on it, but the dampener is cheaper. See what happens.

 

Here's some Monroes I found at a decent price. How do these look to you guys?

http://www.usautoparts.net/details/F...iABEgKXgvD_BwE

 

IMHO, not a fan of Monroes unless you are just wanting something to throw on a vehicle....................

IMHO...........

1) Koni- Excellent for racing applications- overpriced for street applications

2) Tokico, QA1 & Bilstein- A very good shock for street/strip applications.

3) KYB- A very good shock for street/general performance applications. The Exel-G’s (formerly GR-2) are the equivalent to the Edelbrock IAS automatic adjusting units. Overall, stiffness between the Gas-a-just and the GR2’s are the same, the difference is the GR-2's valving which stiffens things up from a oem setting to that of the Gas-a-just units.

4) Gabriel- A very nice good quality HD OEM replacement type unit.

and a little insight from others........

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l-for-fx4.html


Posted July 18, 2013 by Oldtimer
I did the same kyb strut and shock switcharoo with the original stuff about a year ago on my 04 FX4...the *** end was bouncing all over the place. It rides and handles great, especially for a 4x4, and it's not nearly as expensive as Rancho or Bilstein.

Posted on July 19, 2013 by MC Davis
She's back! I like the KYB's. The ride is best described as firm but comfortable and not jarring. It's not as soft as the stock ride, but yet it's more controlled. Firm when it needs to be, and plush at the same time.

 

IMHO, not a fan of Monroes unless you are just wanting something to throw on a vehicle....................

IMHO...........

1) Koni- Excellent for racing applications- overpriced for street applications

2) Tokico, QA1 & Bilstein- A very good shock for street/strip applications.

3) KYB- A very good shock for street/general performance applications. The Exel-G’s (formerly GR-2) are the equivalent to the Edelbrock IAS automatic adjusting units. Overall, stiffness between the Gas-a-just and the GR2’s are the same, the difference is the GR-2's valving which stiffens things up from a oem setting to that of the Gas-a-just units.

4) Gabriel- A very nice good quality HD OEM replacement type unit.

and a little insight from others........

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l-for-fx4.html


Posted July 18, 2013 by Oldtimer
I did the same kyb strut and shock switcharoo with the original stuff about a year ago on my 04 FX4...the *** end was bouncing all over the place. It rides and handles great, especially for a 4x4, and it's not nearly as expensive as Rancho or Bilstein.

Posted on July 19, 2013 by MC Davis
She's back! I like the KYB's. The ride is best described as firm but comfortable and not jarring. It's not as soft as the stock ride, but yet it's more controlled. Firm when it needs to be, and plush at the same time.

 

I went with Rancho RS9000XL shocks. I like the adjustability and they've done well on and off-road.

 

I put Bilsteins on about 50k miles ago and they have held up well on my 99 F350 4x4 dually.

 

I just ordered the Rancho RS9000XL for the front end. I’ve had them on trucks previously and they held up well. I adjusted the fronts each time I towed.

 

I really didn’t like their steering damper, other than that the shocks were good as any ive ever had..

correct me if wrong but the adjustable ones are for aftermarket lifted tucks ?

 

Bilstein 4600's or 5100's. Nothing better in the price range.

 

Stock height or lifted

 

My truck is stock height.

I don't think I've every had one that I truly thought was great. Then again it's right in front and takes a beating. I don't put a lot of thought into which one I get (Rancho, Pro Comp, etc.) as long as it's a decent brand and not too pricey since it will end up damaged in short order and replaced within a couple of years anyway.

 

We offer for stock height as well as lifted

My 2003 F250 is lifted and runs the 9000's.

 

I use Bilsteins. Pretty firm but they work well.
A steering damper won't fix anything. It just disguises an issue elsewhere.
How are the trackbar bushings.?