Yet Another Shock Thread
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 117
Likes: 62
Yet Another Shock Thread
I've been reading and researching and can't make up my mind. My stock shocks are already toast and need replacing but can't seem to figure out what to replace them with.
I know most people are fans of Bilstien 5100's. I've put them on my last two trucks and while they do last longer, I've never felt any amount of difference between them and stock. So I'm thinking of trying something different this time, but just don't have a lot of experience in this area so looking for opinions.
Use Cases
Thanks in advance.
I know most people are fans of Bilstien 5100's. I've put them on my last two trucks and while they do last longer, I've never felt any amount of difference between them and stock. So I'm thinking of trying something different this time, but just don't have a lot of experience in this area so looking for opinions.
Use Cases
- Live on ~10 miles of dirt gravel roads here in Colorado. Due to lack of moisture, the roads washboard really bad. I know this is a truck, don't expect it to ride any different, but would like to find something that takes a bit of the spine compression out of the travel on these roads and help me from getting sideways.
- Tow two trailers: RV Grand Design 310GK-R ~14K lbs loaded and a Big Tex 20GN with Tractor ~12Klbs
Thanks in advance.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Middletown,NJ
So have all Carli suspension on my current ride, so may not be entirely relevant. But I had the Fox/Carli smooth bodies initially then upgraded to the res version, they are better (not sure if they're worth the cost of upgrade but they are better). Hope that gives you some perspective on the standard fox vs res version.
As for the Kings....they are the best but they are very stiff. If you aren't really running your truck fast offroad, they may be overkill. I had those on my 2012 and liked them, but I was running 37s on 18in wheels with low tire pressure....that made a big difference in the ride.
As for the Kings....they are the best but they are very stiff. If you aren't really running your truck fast offroad, they may be overkill. I had those on my 2012 and liked them, but I was running 37s on 18in wheels with low tire pressure....that made a big difference in the ride.
Last edited by jlalanas; Oct 3, 2022 at 03:53 PM. Reason: adding more deail
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 5,884
Likes: 3,512
From: Uh oh, CA
What about the Bilstein 4600's? Supposedly they ride a little softer. Also, the Rancho 9000's are adjustable... not sure if they can be adjusted to be a bit softer? I don't know much about either one of these (I have the 5100's on my truck and I could tell a little difference, but yes, it still rides like a truck), but maybe they would be another less expensive option to consider?
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 4,291
Likes: 2,416
From: Everywhere and nowhere
I've had 5100s on my last 2 trucks and I'm going to ditch my factory shocks soon. My last truck only really towed so the 5100s were noticeably different than the Ford shocks it had until 90k miles. My 22 has 16k miles on it towing and the stock shocks are basically shot. The rear axle hops over little bumps and my front tires are cupping. Ford uses garbage shocks. They were great for the first 2k miles or so then once everything settled they started riding like crap.
I'm going to go with 5100s again. I know they are better for towing from personal experience. The Fox shocks will need rebuilt before the Bilsteins need replaced.
I'm going to go with 5100s again. I know they are better for towing from personal experience. The Fox shocks will need rebuilt before the Bilsteins need replaced.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 554
washboards you need less air pressure and softer springs. shocks can help but not much as theyre helping control the movement of the axle. i know, thats not ideal to air down but it is what it is.
i like my fox 2.0s. firm and controlled/planted is how i describe them. we do plenty of trips to lemon reservior near durango, cabin is on a mile or two of washboards and the only real fix is to lock the rear diff so you can go faster without losing traction lol.
i like my fox 2.0s. firm and controlled/planted is how i describe them. we do plenty of trips to lemon reservior near durango, cabin is on a mile or two of washboards and the only real fix is to lock the rear diff so you can go faster without losing traction lol.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 689
Likes: 216
washboards you need less air pressure and softer springs. shocks can help but not much as theyre helping control the movement of the axle. i know, thats not ideal to air down but it is what it is.
i like my fox 2.0s. firm and controlled/planted is how i describe them. we do plenty of trips to lemon reservior near durango, cabin is on a mile or two of washboards and the only real fix is to lock the rear diff so you can go faster without losing traction lol.
i like my fox 2.0s. firm and controlled/planted is how i describe them. we do plenty of trips to lemon reservior near durango, cabin is on a mile or two of washboards and the only real fix is to lock the rear diff so you can go faster without losing traction lol.
I had adjustable Ranchos on my 2018 and they were nice. I could adjust the ride from stiff to too much softness; at the softest setting it was like an old Desoto that would float over bumps and dips with no feeling of good grip on the road. But for towing (a GD 310GK-r like yours) the stiff setting was best. If not towing I tuned them to the half way point and was OK with the ride.
When I replace my current shocks I'm going with the 5100's.
Pretty much the deal is - it's a truck and it rides like one; I never did like the way it handled on dirt roads but I think if I lowered the air pressure in those cases I would have had a better ride - but that a hassle - air up and down all the time.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 607
I watched a quantitative review a guy did on the Fox vs stock on YouTube and went with them because of it. Big difference for me after changing them, there's a 1 mile strip of city road I drive to drop my daughters off at ballet 3-4 times a week and it's absolutely wrecked. A note on rebuilding them, unless you send a bunch at once it's same or cheaper to buy them new.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,970
Likes: 2,407
From: Ridgway, CO
Anyone who claims you can not help the ride with shocks has never been in a Raptor. The Fox 2.5 resi's on those trucks make it ride like a dream on washboard, better if you have them custom valved.
With 10 miles a day, which I often do as well on CO mtn roads Fox 2.0 res would be my choice, 2,5's if the budget allows and a set of springs from Deaver though a good ride and hauling a 3000 lb pin weight are generally mutually exclusive.
My F350 gas has 5100's and it is the perfect compromise of performance cost and durability for me. I can feel a substantial difference in shock performance with the 5100s. I also run around 42 psi cold in the rear tires and have 35" tall tires on the truck. Still rides like a truck but with better control. Can still get sideways on washboard but much less so.
With 10 miles a day, which I often do as well on CO mtn roads Fox 2.0 res would be my choice, 2,5's if the budget allows and a set of springs from Deaver though a good ride and hauling a 3000 lb pin weight are generally mutually exclusive.
My F350 gas has 5100's and it is the perfect compromise of performance cost and durability for me. I can feel a substantial difference in shock performance with the 5100s. I also run around 42 psi cold in the rear tires and have 35" tall tires on the truck. Still rides like a truck but with better control. Can still get sideways on washboard but much less so.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 878
From: Rome as it burns
FWIW I just replaced the stock shocks that came with my FX4 package with Bilstein 4600s and a steering stabilizer and cannot tell the difference.
I live on a gravel road and tow a fiver too.
I live on a gravel road and tow a fiver too.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 1,669
From: NW Wyoming USA
Regarding the difference between Bilstein 4600 and 5100’s. I wrote to Bilstein about that and this was their reply…
“Thank you for contacting Bilstein. The only thing that is different is the extended length in front between 4600 & 5100, valving are identical front & rear. Thank you.”
“Thank you for contacting Bilstein. The only thing that is different is the extended length in front between 4600 & 5100, valving are identical front & rear. Thank you.”
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 5,884
Likes: 3,512
From: Uh oh, CA
Regarding the difference between Bilstein 4600 and 5100’s. I wrote to Bilstein about that and this was their reply…
“Thank you for contacting Bilstein. The only thing that is different is the extended length in front between 4600 & 5100, valving are identical front & rear. Thank you.”
“Thank you for contacting Bilstein. The only thing that is different is the extended length in front between 4600 & 5100, valving are identical front & rear. Thank you.”
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,680
Likes: 4,789
From: Itinerant
Through the years I've tried the more expensive Ranchos and had Bilstein on my 250/ 350s and could never tell the difference other than in the wallet.
Good old Monroe magnums or Monroe reflex seem to do the job well enough.
Good old Monroe magnums or Monroe reflex seem to do the job well enough.
