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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 04:19 PM
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2020 shocks

Hey guys,
I have ready about every post on shocks and can not decide if i should go with the fox 2.0's or the 5100's
My truck is mostly a daily driver, a little towing and some two tracking or in fields goose and deer hunting. Not a heavy offroader or tow machine by far. i am worried about the stories i have read with the 2.0's blowing out, if that from hard core use or daily driving.
I would like some input on what you guys would suggest out of the two. I have a 2020 250 with the 7.3. all stock when i do shocks i am going to put on 295's as well.
thank you in advance
 
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 05:30 PM
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I bought the Bilsteins for my '21, unfortunately they are still in the box, as my truck is still being built. I have them on my F150 and love them, so I didn't see the need to look elsewhere.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 05:52 PM
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I put Fox 2.0s on my 2017 CCSB 6.7a year ago and I love them. They are much smoother riding than the Bilstein 5100s that I had on my 2009 CCSB 6.4. The Fox shocks allow the suspension to compress more over bumps but they immediately dampen out any oscillations. The 5100s were just stiff all the time.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Sailor#10
I put Fox 2.0s on my 2017 CCSB 6.7a year ago and I love them. They are much smoother riding than the Bilstein 5100s that I had on my 2009 CCSB 6.4. The Fox shocks allow the suspension to compress more over bumps but they immediately dampen out any oscillations. The 5100s were just stiff all the time.
Yes, that's my experience with Bilstein shocks. Very stiff; lots of pre-load; they are gas pressurized.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 07:04 PM
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I like the Bilstein 5160's...I would suggest the bilsteins at a minimum but would also like the Fox shocks..You take a chance of any shock leaking...OE, Bilsteins and Fox. You can rebuild a fox but not the other...but what do you do waiting for a shock to be rebuilt..1-3 weeks? Take off send it in and wait.

getting rid of OE shocks is a good step in the right direction
 
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 07:20 PM
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....and don't forget the part about that rebuild not being free.



Not sure if this is relevant to a heavy truck like a Super Duty but might have some useful info.
https://www.shocksurplus.com/pages/bilstein-5100-vs-fox-2-0-performance-shocks

The FOX and Bilstein dampen differently, this dives deeper into the characteristics of the different types of dampening. Not specific to either.
https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving/
 
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 07:30 PM
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My 2011, 2015 and 2017 trucks, I put the Rancho 9000 on. Partly because they were adjustible and partly because they had a lifetime warranty. ( which I've never used.)

My 2020 I installed the ReadyLift Leveling kit which came with the Bilstein shocks. So far I think they ride great
My F350 is a daily driver to construction job sites. and a weekend horse trailer hauler ( so far for 3 months) it has not gone down any dirt roads. But that will change come spring time when I drag the horse trailer down some long washboard BLM roads in central and southern Utah

 
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Old Feb 19, 2021 | 08:33 AM
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Thanks for the info guys. I understand you take a chance that any shock could blow or leak. Like stated above what do you do in the mean time if you have to have one rebuilt....
From the sounds of it either way is WAY better than stock. So now i ask myself is the extra money for the fox worth it?
 
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Old Feb 19, 2021 | 11:24 AM
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Go with Bilsteins, you wont be disapointed and your pocket book will like it
 
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Old Feb 19, 2021 | 11:39 AM
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Rancho 9000XL on my truck. Don't like the ride? Change the setting. So far, they are working out nicely.

I used Bilsteins on my prior 1/2 ton truck and they were a very good shock for that truck. I have no idea how they would ride on my F-350.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2021 | 05:37 PM
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I have 5100’s on my 20 F250 with Sulastic shackles. Rides much better than stock unloaded, but a tad tougher towing. I had Fox 2.0 on my 15 F250 and started to leak within 30k miles. Definitely a firmer ride with Fox.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2021 | 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by JARED_LA
I have 5100’s on my 20 F250 with Sulastic shackles. Rides much better than stock unloaded, but a tad tougher towing. I had Fox 2.0 on my 15 F250 and started to leak within 30k miles. Definitely a firmer ride with Fox.
Did you see any less squat with the Bilsteins when towing compared to stock shocks? I am looking at getting 5100s, and was curious if it would have any difference when the trailer his hooked up.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2021 | 10:40 PM
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A shock doesn't provide enough resistance to limit squat, if it did you would have a horrible ride. They are for ride dampening not weight carrying, thats what the springs are for.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2021 | 11:08 PM
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I went to 295 Cooper ST Maxx tires, so if I went with Bilsteins, which model do I get. I'm having trouble finding the correct part #. I plan on leaving everything stock.
 
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Old Feb 20, 2021 | 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by T. Banning
I went to 295 Cooper ST Maxx tires, so if I went with Bilsteins, which model do I get. I'm having trouble finding the correct part #. I plan on leaving everything stock.
Changing tire height doesn't require a different shock length. A suspension lift may require a new shock height.
 
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