Poll on "shocks"
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 250
Likes: 69
From: Lake Oconee Putnam Co. Ga
Poll on "shocks"
It's me again... I was wanting to ask you guys what shocks are good for the 7.3? I pull a 16' tandem axle trailer with a 4.5 ton tractor ocassionally,on the road only. I have just over 300k on the OE shocks so I thought it might be time to replace them.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
I really like my Bilstein 4600 shocks which are designed for a stock height truck. The 5100 series is for a lifted truck.
I tow at 18,000 - 20,000 GCVW cross country and the Bilsteins have served me well for the past 6 years. Some people do not like Bilstein and prefer other brands such as Rancho, Monroe, KYB, etc... Really, it comes down to what you like the look of and what you can find a bargain on. When I selected the Bilstein, I knew I didn't want an "adjustable" shock as I had "adjustable" struts on a sports car many moons ago. After the first few months, I left the "adjustment" where it was because I didn't want to mess with it anymore. I knew I didn't want to "adjust" the truck shocks because our truck is used for towing, hauling and working 90% of the time it is on the road.
The Bilstein 4600 were on sale for the set of four and I have been happy with them since installation.
There are numerous threads discussing this subject in great detail, but maybe someone has something to offer that has been discovered since then. I wish you the best of luck in finding the right shock set for your application.
I tow at 18,000 - 20,000 GCVW cross country and the Bilsteins have served me well for the past 6 years. Some people do not like Bilstein and prefer other brands such as Rancho, Monroe, KYB, etc... Really, it comes down to what you like the look of and what you can find a bargain on. When I selected the Bilstein, I knew I didn't want an "adjustable" shock as I had "adjustable" struts on a sports car many moons ago. After the first few months, I left the "adjustment" where it was because I didn't want to mess with it anymore. I knew I didn't want to "adjust" the truck shocks because our truck is used for towing, hauling and working 90% of the time it is on the road.
The Bilstein 4600 were on sale for the set of four and I have been happy with them since installation.
There are numerous threads discussing this subject in great detail, but maybe someone has something to offer that has been discovered since then. I wish you the best of luck in finding the right shock set for your application.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,125
Likes: 4,726
From: Henderson, NV
I have had these since April 2021 and I'm loving them.
https://www.shocksurplus.com/product...32323204415537
https://www.shocksurplus.com/product...32323204415537
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 1,919
From: Ponca City, OK
I have had these since April 2021 and I'm loving them.
https://www.shocksurplus.com/product...32323204415537
https://www.shocksurplus.com/product...32323204415537
More Turbo
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 578
Likes: 146
From: Salisbury, MD
I have no complaints with my Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks, make sure and use good grease on the **** when you get them and they are good to go, mine are over 7 years old and still work great. I haul a 5000lb truck camper on the back so they get plenty of use. I set my rear ones at 9 and adjust them down to 5 when the camper is off, I leave the front ones set at 5.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,125
Likes: 4,726
From: Henderson, NV
Hmm, I don’t remember paying that much. I can tell you they improved the ride and handling over Rancho 9000s, that I had previously, a lot. That plus the Foxes don’t rust within a few months of installation and they are rebuildable.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 75
Likes: 28
I’ve got Bilstein 5100s on my f350. Work awesome. I’ve had them very loaded and I’ve run them empty and I have zero complaints.
Ive put Rancho 9000s on a Chevy I had, they work great. Can’t tell what the **** is supposed to do….
I’ve put Bilsteins on most anything I get to pick for. No gimmicks, just good shocks. 4600s on my granddad’s trucks, a set of 4600s for my dads 04 dually and a set of 5100s for his ‘18 f250. No complaints.
Ive put Rancho 9000s on a Chevy I had, they work great. Can’t tell what the **** is supposed to do….
I’ve put Bilsteins on most anything I get to pick for. No gimmicks, just good shocks. 4600s on my granddad’s trucks, a set of 4600s for my dads 04 dually and a set of 5100s for his ‘18 f250. No complaints.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,333
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I have had these since April 2021 and I'm loving them.
https://www.shocksurplus.com/product...32323204415537
https://www.shocksurplus.com/product...32323204415537
I thought Halloween was over last night.
Shocking price for what started as a bmx bike shock. I remember riding downhill on a bike with a Fox shock in 1975. State of the art bike (wasn't mine).
I'm shocked that these bike shocks now cost so much, but am impressed at how the company transformed itself into brand that can command such a high premium for their products.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 1,919
From: Ponca City, OK
Denial, not just a river in Egypt.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 217
i have a set fromma 2003 v10 crew cab I parted out. Truthfully they are great. They can be specifically valved and gas pressure adjusted for a custom ride.
the bad thing is they need to be rebuilt anywhere between 20-50,000 miles depending on use. The nice thing is a rebuild kit costs $10-20 bucks and a gallon of shock oil is $50. The nitrogen can be filled at any bike shop.
also the shocks are completely rebuildable and all parts are available.
that said I rebuilt mine twice. After that I went to just regular sealed Shocks.. The Fox shocks are up in my rafters collecting dust along with the 6 inch lift kit
i may rebuild them as I have extra rebuild kits and nitrogen. I used to play with a lot of dirt bikes back in the day and these shocks are similar concept as motorcycle forks.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
I have no complaints with my Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks, make sure and use good grease on the **** when you get them and they are good to go, mine are over 7 years old and still work great. I haul a 5000lb truck camper on the back so they get plenty of use. I set my rear ones at 9 and adjust them down to 5 when the camper is off, I leave the front ones set at 5.
X2 grease the ****. Also hit them with cheap clear coat before install and no worries on surface rust.