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I need some opinion and some insight on this project I am considering. I currently have a 92 F-150 that I am going to lift. Since I was under the truck, I was going to convert the front end from single to quad shocks. 1) has anyone out there done this? 2) how does the second
shock mount to the control arm? 3) any opinion on the ride between single and quad shocks? 4) Does anyone have parts that I can purchase off of them for this project?
It's your project, but I don't think there is any need for the quad shock set-up with the shocks currently available on the market. Your money can certainly be spent better elsewhere to make the truck ride better.
Im not quite clear on what you want to do? Convert from 1 shock to 4 on each side, or 2 on each side?
Either way, before I did that, I’d give King shocks a call, or fox. Run reservoirs. Are you off road? Heat build up an issue? Anyway... I’d suggest to call king and tell them what your issues are and see what they suggest for solutions.
There are a few companies that make dual shock buckets for our trucks.
Biggest drawback is that I don't think there are any shocks specifically designed to be run as duals. People still run them, its your truck, do what you like. I've considered it on mine too.
Sorry for the confusion, what I wanted to do was switch from a single shock on each side to two shocks on each side. After researching a little more on a Rough Country lift kit I am going to install they actually specifically say that due to the barrel size of their N3 shocks, you can't have two shocks on each side. I had read somewhere that dual front shocks stiffen up the front and I had noticed the front can get springy especially when I'm off road but even when I'm on the highway and go over like a bridge joint I notice the front bouncing. And yes, I replaced my front shocks about a year ago because the old ones were completely shot and the front was much worse than it is now. I'm thinking I am better off leaving well enough alone and just staying with the current set up of one shock on each side.
Ford offered "quad' shocks as a part of the period 4x4 packages, one shock in front of the coil spring and another behind the coil spring... you could pick up the hardware from a junk yard for fairly cheap. You would have to change the spring buckets. My 94 has this package, and it is more stable than the 88 I ran for many years, but both work well enough. Probably a worthwhile upgrade, if you are taking it all apart anyway, but I wouldn't go to that much trouble just for the extra shocks on their own.
I have the factory 4 shock setup, and love it. Very stable, and no bounce. I hate worn shocks and after bounce, and the 4 shock system on these trucks eliminate it as long as the shocks are good.
I bought this truck in the early 90's, and the shocks were toast. I replaced them with some HD shocks, and all these years later, they feel as good as they did when I replaced them. Been so long ago I don't remember the brand, but they are white. I bet shocks made today won't last that long.
I also have factory front and rear sway bars, so that helps a lot with handling too.
I am running single Bilstein 7100 reservoir shocks up front, 12" stroke, dual eyelet mounts, 360/80 valving. I used F250 upper shock mounts. Works great. With Moog CC826 coils and Superlift extended radius arms, it cycles 13-14" travel but runs down the road very well. My advice would be go for quality shocks, not quantity. Do you cook a standard 2" shock body? Try 2" with reservoir. Cook those? 2.5" body, or 3" body. What are you going to use the truck for?
I am running single Bilstein 7100 reservoir shocks up front, 12" stroke, dual eyelet mounts, 360/80 valving. I used F250 upper shock mounts. Works great. With Moog CC826 coils and Superlift extended radius arms, it cycles 13-14" travel but runs down the road very well. My advice would be go for quality shocks, not quantity. Do you cook a standard 2" shock body? Try 2" with reservoir. Cook those? 2.5" body, or 3" body. What are you going to use the truck for?
The truck is mainly a road warrior but I do take it off road. And when I do go off road, things can get rough but not anything hard core like rock crawling. I’m adding the 4” lift mainly because what’s the point in doing a suspension lift for only 2”? I definitely don’t need a 6” lift and I feel the 4” lift would give me the clearance and look I want. The current shocks I have are just cheap off the shelf autozone shocks nothing high performance like the shocks included with the rough country lift kit.
There are a few companies that make dual shock buckets for our trucks.
Biggest drawback is that I don't think there are any shocks specifically designed to be run as duals. People still run them, its your truck, do what you like. I've considered it on mine too.
Dorman and Ford have the quad shock/ spring brackets but good luck getting some. I have been trying since Dec 31st to get a set from Ford. I did find the left side from Dorman but it doesn’t look as nice as the Ford part.
I use either Motorcraft or KYB shocks and the ones for the front specify front or rear position. I assume since they say for quad shocks that they are valved differently than ones for the single shock per side.
To the OP,
You need to remove the 5 - 6 rivets to remove the bracket from the frame. The new bracket is installed with nuts and bolts. I have not owned a single shock (per side) truck and I don’t remember how they handled since I haven’t driven one since I worked at the Ford dealer in the mid 90’s and drove customers trucks. I have to agree that I wouldn’t go through the trouble to change it over.
I have quad shock setup and seriously considered swapping to normal dual shock (no helper shock).
Quad shocks will create slightly rougher ride.
And the only time they will be of benefit is if you were to ever experience shock fade, which supposedly isn't as much of an issue with todays shocks as it was back in the 90's.
The other benefit I read about had something to do with towing.
Swapping out the shock bucket is no small job.
The thing I have circled in red is the shock bucket.
The aftermarket ones are said to be made of thinner steel so you might want to seek out a used original set if you can find them.
The truck is mainly a road warrior but I do take it off road. And when I do go off road, things can get rough but not anything hard core like rock crawling. I’m adding the 4” lift mainly because what’s the point in doing a suspension lift for only 2”? I definitely don’t need a 6” lift and I feel the 4” lift would give me the clearance and look I want. The current shocks I have are just cheap off the shelf autozone shocks nothing high performance like the shocks included with the rough country lift kit.
Based on your intended use, I agree with the following:
Originally Posted by SFaulken
Personally, I wouldn't bother with the quad shock setup, toss a set of Bilstein B6's on there, and you'll be fine. They're pricey, but worth it.
Yes the Bilstein B6 4600 shocks are a great option. Just get the set of the right length for whatever lift you go with. It's all relative, but I think these are a great value shock and not expensive. When I've run cheaper shocks, they're garbage in under a year, leaking oil and no longer damping, costing more in the long run for lesser performance.
Originally Posted by CZ Eddie
I have quad shock setup and seriously considered swapping to normal dual shock (no helper shock).
Quad shocks will create slightly rougher ride.
And the only time they will be of benefit is if you were to ever experience shock fade, which supposedly isn't as much of an issue with todays shocks as it was back in the 90's.
The other benefit I read about had something to do with towing.
Swapping out the shock bucket is no small job.
The thing I have circled in red is the shock bucket.
The aftermarket ones are said to be made of thinner steel so you might want to seek out a used original set if you can find them.
Simply remove the front shock from what you've got. Doesn't hurt anything to leave those out if you don't care for the ride with all 4 in place.
I personally run Bilsteins on everything as my first choice, and I've never regretted it. Unless they don't make something to fit the application, then I generally look to KYB or Koni. Sure, I'd love to say that I'm putting Fox, QA-1, or other super duper performance dampers on every rig I've got, but it's just not realistic.
I have a dual/triple per side shock kit from Super LIft. It says it is for f150/f250/bronco. It was new/unused when I installed it on my f350 and it stiffened up the front end too much for my taste. I probably had is on for less than 5k miles. $100. It is heavy so shipping will not be cheap.
