Lost in the shocks
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Lost in the shocks
I know jack **** about shocks/suspension. My Ex came with a "3 inch lift", no idea if it was upgraded leaf springs, just the rancho shocks (dual fronts) or over inflated tires. I don't know anything about it. Like, think of Ruth in "Ozarks, I dont know **** about ****
With that being said, I'm looking at replacing the current dual fronts and single rears with a hopefully better-riding setup. I ran bilsteins on my 4runner and loved them, but not sure where to start for a 7500lb truck that will be towing a camper a couple hundred miles per month. What should I be looking for as far as whether an upgrade is actually needed, and if so, which shocks? All the bilsteins I've seen are for 0-2" or 4-6" lifts, so Im guessing a 3" lift can be covered by either application(?) I've read through the forums and searched posts, but most seem to be written toward someone that already knew what they wanted/needed and were just installing them.
With that being said, I'm looking at replacing the current dual fronts and single rears with a hopefully better-riding setup. I ran bilsteins on my 4runner and loved them, but not sure where to start for a 7500lb truck that will be towing a camper a couple hundred miles per month. What should I be looking for as far as whether an upgrade is actually needed, and if so, which shocks? All the bilsteins I've seen are for 0-2" or 4-6" lifts, so Im guessing a 3" lift can be covered by either application(?) I've read through the forums and searched posts, but most seem to be written toward someone that already knew what they wanted/needed and were just installing them.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,064
Likes: 1,574
From: Media PA
I know jack **** about shocks/suspension. My Ex came with a "3 inch lift", no idea if it was upgraded leaf springs, just the rancho shocks (dual fronts) or over inflated tires. I don't know anything about it. Like, think of Ruth in "Ozarks, I dont know **** about ****
With that being said, I'm looking at replacing the current dual fronts and single rears with a hopefully better-riding setup. I ran bilsteins on my 4runner and loved them, but not sure where to start for a 7500lb truck that will be towing a camper a couple hundred miles per month. What should I be looking for as far as whether an upgrade is actually needed, and if so, which shocks? All the bilsteins I've seen are for 0-2" or 4-6" lifts, so Im guessing a 3" lift can be covered by either application(?) I've read through the forums and searched posts, but most seem to be written toward someone that already knew what they wanted/needed and were just installing them.
With that being said, I'm looking at replacing the current dual fronts and single rears with a hopefully better-riding setup. I ran bilsteins on my 4runner and loved them, but not sure where to start for a 7500lb truck that will be towing a camper a couple hundred miles per month. What should I be looking for as far as whether an upgrade is actually needed, and if so, which shocks? All the bilsteins I've seen are for 0-2" or 4-6" lifts, so Im guessing a 3" lift can be covered by either application(?) I've read through the forums and searched posts, but most seem to be written toward someone that already knew what they wanted/needed and were just installing them.
I think a logical first step would be to accurately measure your setup. Get the measurement from the center of each hub up to the lip of the fender at the top of the wheelwells, with those 4 measurements we can figure out how much suspension lift you have over stock without having to mess with the tire size.
A picture or two of each spring to axle setup would also help us to understand what you are working with and something needs to be addressed there also. A pic that shows number of leaves, blocks, shocks, etc would be great, we love pictures!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 153
Likes: 24
From: North west North Dakota.
Measure from hub center to bottom of fender lip front and rear.
with that information we can for sure know how much lift you have.
factory is 23” front 24” rear.
How much are you wanting to spend on shocks?
are your current shocks leaking?
or do you not like the ride with them?
If nothing wrong with current shocks why not just keep them?
oh and we all love pictures...
with that information we can for sure know how much lift you have.
factory is 23” front 24” rear.
How much are you wanting to spend on shocks?
are your current shocks leaking?
or do you not like the ride with them?
If nothing wrong with current shocks why not just keep them?
oh and we all love pictures...
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Just went out and measured, center of hub to bottom of wheel well/fender
Front Driver: 25.5
Front Pass: 26
Rear Driver: 27
Rear Pass: 27.5
Shocks aren't leaking, but the ride is less than ideal and Im not sure how old these shocks are or if they are even the correct length for the current application. Not looking to drop "icon" or "king" money just yet, still have too many mods ahead of this one. Will get some pics posted up shortly of the current setup
Front Driver: 25.5
Front Pass: 26
Rear Driver: 27
Rear Pass: 27.5
Shocks aren't leaking, but the ride is less than ideal and Im not sure how old these shocks are or if they are even the correct length for the current application. Not looking to drop "icon" or "king" money just yet, still have too many mods ahead of this one. Will get some pics posted up shortly of the current setup
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 153
Likes: 24
From: North west North Dakota.
Block lift in the rear.
spring lift in the front. I’m not sure what brand.
have you considered running just one shock on the front?
deffinetly 3” lift from your measurements.
the upper mount could be had for cheep from a salvage yard. Any 4x4 excursion or 99-04 4x4 f250 or f350 would have the upper shock mount used. Or you can get them new.
other wise I would probably look at 4” lift shocks for an excursion. if you like bilstein then I would look at them.
also a good idea to get new bump stops for the front. As I see yours are like mine were.. they are invisible 🤣
@pirate4x4_camo has great suspension information. If he is available and sees this he could definitely help steer you in the right direction.
spring lift in the front. I’m not sure what brand.
have you considered running just one shock on the front?
deffinetly 3” lift from your measurements.
the upper mount could be had for cheep from a salvage yard. Any 4x4 excursion or 99-04 4x4 f250 or f350 would have the upper shock mount used. Or you can get them new.
other wise I would probably look at 4” lift shocks for an excursion. if you like bilstein then I would look at them.
also a good idea to get new bump stops for the front. As I see yours are like mine were.. they are invisible 🤣
@pirate4x4_camo has great suspension information. If he is available and sees this he could definitely help steer you in the right direction.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Block lift in the rear.
spring lift in the front. I’m not sure what brand.
have you considered running just one shock on the front?
deffinetly 3” lift from your measurements.
the upper mount could be had for cheep from a salvage yard. Any 4x4 excursion or 99-04 4x4 f250 or f350 would have the upper shock mount used. Or you can get them new.
spring lift in the front. I’m not sure what brand.
have you considered running just one shock on the front?
deffinetly 3” lift from your measurements.
the upper mount could be had for cheep from a salvage yard. Any 4x4 excursion or 99-04 4x4 f250 or f350 would have the upper shock mount used. Or you can get them new.
Trending Topics
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 153
Likes: 24
From: North west North Dakota.
I know that shock valving comes into play, and I don’t understand that aspect enough to give a great answer.
However I’m just thinking you might be over valved on the shocks for the spring rate, therefore the shocks are not working as well as they could be.
that’s why shocks more on the race end are custom tunable. But again I have a lot more to learn so I might be giving bad information.
hopefully someone with more information will chime in.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,064
Likes: 1,574
From: Media PA
Right, dual shocks obviously need to be valved at half the rate of a proper single shock. Unfortunately, most dual shock setups that you see aren't correctly valved and due to that ride like crap. It may be a challenge to find good replacement dual shocks of the correct size, and may be cheaper to go back to singles that will deliver a better ride.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Right, dual shocks obviously need to be valved at half the rate of a proper single shock. Unfortunately, most dual shock setups that you see aren't correctly valved and due to that ride like crap. It may be a challenge to find good replacement dual shocks of the correct size, and may be cheaper to go back to singles that will deliver a better ride.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Does it matter if I remove the passenger side 2 or the drivers side 2?
Just kidding. I had thought about doing that but didnt know if there was a risk of messing up the remaining shock if they are in fact valved for dual shock applications.
Just kidding. I had thought about doing that but didnt know if there was a risk of messing up the remaining shock if they are in fact valved for dual shock applications.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 880
Likes: 13
From: Northcentral Wisconsin
LOL, I would take the 2 off the passenger side. It won't hurt them, but they will feel bouncy like worn out shocks if they are actually valved for a dual shock application. If it's riding really rough they probably aren't. It's worth a try. It's free, other than your time.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mat J
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
1
Mar 25, 2012 06:49 PM
Ford4x4CountryBoy
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
1
Feb 14, 2005 10:03 PM