Howdy!

Long story short my truck needs some shocks. I have been noticing the ride has been trash but today it was the worst as I was passager. I let the wife drive(she gets motion sickness) after about 20 minutes on the road as she was getting sick from the ride. So when I got back I started looking around. The last Super Duty I had I installed a set of Bilstein's when the stock shocks were shot. However, I found them expensive and the ride was OK. Looking to pick up a set of Rancho RS 5000X front and back. The price is nice. Looks like they are locally and quickly obtained for this weekend. However, they are showing 2 different model numbers for the rears.

1) SRW non qualifier.
2) DRW non qualifier.

It seems the ones in stock are shown for DRW vehicles. I cannot believe every store doesn't have a SRW set in stock. SRWs are a bit more common. So I proceeded to do some additional research. It seems most shock manufacturers show a one size fits all approach to this whole thing. So I started thinking maybe the local big chain stores stock really one size for the rears to keep it simple for all DRW and SRW. Before I pull the trigger and pick up a set any words of wisdom?

 

Well I don't know about SRW vs DRW, but there is a difference between 2WD and 4WD.

 

There is a difference between SRW and DRW shocks due to the mounting locations being different (I'm guessing the shock lengths are different). The Bilstein part number was different for my DRW truck versus the SRW truck.

-- Dave

 

Can't answer your question, but I would like to know how you like the Rancho's compared to the Bilstein's. I am looking at changing the stock shocks on my 08,and after some discussion have pretty much decided on Bilstein's.
If you don't mind please post here what you think after you get them installed.

 

The big change is in unsprung weight between a SRW and DRW. The shock damping on a quality unit will be different . The cheap units will be all the same front and back. You get what you pay for.

 

OT slightly, The wife had a Blazer with a lot of miles and that thing rode like no shocks at all. I replaced the factory Bilstein shocks with the correct replacement Bilstein. The ride never changed a bit. I was not impressed.

 

I've used Bilsteins on 2 vehicles and noticed a big improvement on both. Friends riding with me have mentioned the the better ride in both as well. To each their own. KYB, Koni also make good products.

 

I put Oreilly Monroes on my truck a couple years ago and it has never rode better. I had bilsteins for a few years and after one started leaking they wouldn't honor the warranty so I am not a bilstein fan.

Seriously, any new shock is going to feel fine. With the Oreilly ones I can get free replacements for a long time too.

 

That's what I put on my F350 about 15 years ago. A couple of years ago I took them back and exchanged them for a new set. I didn't like the yellow color so I sprayed them with some silver bed liner material to match the trucks two tone bottom and they still had no problem exchanging them. The wife's Excursion has seen several pairs of shocks through the years. These current Sensa Trac units seem good...but not as good as the regular Monroe gas units on the F350.

 

Update...

Part numbers used for this project.

Rancho RS5000X Front P/N RS55042
Rancho RS 5000X Rear P/N RS55254

Everything fit perfect. So OEM fitment. My F350 has the FX4 package.

Rears> Did these first. Left side oil leak found. Right Side kind of OK. Rebounds took about 2 minutes before fully extended. The above part number for the rear fit perfect. It must be a more universal part than the SRW part number. Took about 20 minutes from start to finnish. The lower bolt It requires a 15 MM socket or wrench and a 18MM socket or wrench to remove the hardware. There is a 18 mm Nut at the top side. A 6 inch extension works well for the right side due to the exhaust piping. The left side no issues. I used a 18mM socket and 15 mm wrench.

Fronts> Removed both sides. Both are still collapsed. No Rebound. You need a 21 mm deep socket to get the top nut off. A penatrating oil helps with the rust. However I learned on the right side, just cut the extra threading off. This will allow the use of a shallow 21 MM socket to get the nut off. You will need a 13/16 inch wrench to hold the shaft of the shock from spinning. It took about 30 minutes on the left and about 10 minutes on the Right since I said Let me get the cordless saw all to handle this. The hardware kit that comes with the Rancho replacement in the front uses a 19 MM stover nut and is easier to get on and off if needed. Also my left front is missing the top washer. So I will make a call on the next business day and get a replacement hardware package to make right. The lower bolts is 18 MM and I used my cordless 1/2 impact to remove and install the bolts.

The quick test ride around the neighborhood felt better. I need to get it out on the fast main roads to make sure everything is in good working order and the problem has been resolved.

 

They rode OK but I don't think the price was worth it. IIRC without looking up, it was around 350 for the set of 4. The ride was better but then again anything was better than the shot set that was pulled out. This was 250 for the set with a memorial day sale discount. It is a truck not a Lincoln. However I did notice on the last couple of tows and DD, it was a rough ride. Since it was a local pick up, no waiting and the price was right for my wallet at this time. The truck does feel better and my local roads in the neighborhood are in the process of being repaved this year. So they are quite bouncy. It didn't feel as bouncy.

 

Update.

Took a long ride in the afternoon. About 70 miles round trip. I feel there was a larger improvement in ride quality. As for a comparsion to the a few years ago in my 250 and Bilstein. i cannot really remember. I know the truck rode better but as I saw was it worth the cost. My opinion is the Rancho 5000X are upgrades to the stock shocks. At the end of the day it is still a stock truck and will ride like a truck just will less wierd bounce.