hey all. so I'm replacing all the body mounts and shocks on my truck. it was making this terrible metal on metal sound when i got it, and at first i thought it was like a rock or something in between the cab and the bed. so, i get underneath and these mounts are like sawdust. after some research i now know that they made them out of junk, and that they know it, and still do. well, either way i was hoping someone out there might have some tips pointers or beware Of's that they could share. i have seen many different ways to do that i am a little nervous. just want to keep it simple and work smart. so, with the shocks, as always i want the O.E.M. brand but again just get different answers. is there like a different / new / or special recommendations from anyone. i just want to keep it all original. right now, it feels as though I'm driving a rock. again, i thank you all for all the advice in the past and future. i have become allot more at one with me truck since finding and joining this site. peace

 

I can comment regarding shocks.

Bilstiens seems to be one of the favorites on this forum. I installed them on my 2015 CC 4X4 diesel, and not real impressed. Within 500 miles, I had a rear shock blow a seal and leak everywhere. I don't like jumping thru hoops for warranty. Now, at around 40K on them, the fronts are shot.

I am an old man, and drive like one. I was hoping to get a lot more mileage from a "premium" shock. But, the Bilstien steering damper I used really improved the front end feel.

 

I had Bilsteins once. They were shot at 30k.

Tried to get them warrantied and it was a joke. You have to have your original receipt... you have to have your original boxes....etc...

What a joke. Never buy them again.

 

I've had to replace the body mounts on my '09 Crew Cab... it takes an afternoon.

If you have a crew cab, there are 8 mounts. Good luck finding replacement parts for all of them... I had to go to 3 different dealers to get them, including one in Las Vegas, NV.

Speaking strictly of the crew cab... numbering them #1 at the front, and #4 at the rear... I did not replace the #3 mounts. They are rubber and were in good shape. Further, I could NOT get the studs to break loose, so I just called it a day on those.

To replace the #1 mounts (front clip) you will have to pull the bumper off... easy peasy, 4 bolts I believe.

#2 and #4 mounts were a little more difficult, but I did it wrong. Replace one SIDE at a time, not starting at the front and moving to the rear. It seems obvious now, but it didn't when I did it. Pick one side, take all the studs out, jack up that side of the cab, swap the biscuits, set the cab back down, then snug them in place. Do the other side. THEN torque the studs down all the way around.

Yea... high quality stuff right there...



Just FYI... if you need part number 7C3Z-1000154-A which for me is the #3 (mid cab) mount for a crew cab, I have 2 of them, new in the bag. I'll bet I can make you a good deal on them...

 

As far as shocks... I have Bilstein 4600's on my 2009. They are probably a great shock if you don't carry any weight, but otherwise I would move to the 5100's... which is what is going on my 2023 as soon as it comes back from the shop. I've had Ranchos on my trucks before, including 5000's (non adjustable) and 9000's (adjustable.) They are only OK, and, to be honest, I won't ever buy a set of 5000's again. I have 5000's on my F-150, where they are marginal, and I had them on my 2017 2500HD, where, again, they were marginal.

 

thanks Dennis. i went ahead and bought a kit with all the bolts and bushings ,washers and the weird thing is that as far as #3 they gave me the smaller ones for it but they seem to both be the top bushing. i say this because they are both the same size. and they dont have a smaller bowled like washers for them.the #3's i mean . it has a not with it that states the # is only on the crew cabs and that any parts not included, you are to us the existing as in the old upper bushing. . i have heard that that is the only one that most like you did skipped it because it was rubber and still good. i will have to see when i get under there. i might just have my buddys at this muffler brake shop down the street from me do it because i get very frustrated very easy. so the # 3 isit just the one drivers side that is smaller and the one accross from it is normal?? also if you dont mind are both of your #3 bushings top and bottom the same size? but thank for the advice. i have reseached alot and one thing that was consistant is that this job could go one way or the other . take care out in this crazy world

 

I did mine in the garage in 115F heat. Some of those bolts did NOT want to come loose, that's for sure. If you are easily frustrated, I would enlist some help... and if you have a buddy with a lift, that would be a super bonus.

Where on earth did you get a kit with everything in it? Is it Motorcraft, or aftermarket?

I skipped #3 because I couldn't break the bolt loose, and I seriously feared shearing it off. Only the center cab mount was rubber, the rest were the foam rubber trash and HAD to be replaced. The #3 mount is 2 pieces... a larger bottom part, and a smaller top part (or vice versa...)



If yours is still in good shape, I wouldn't waste my time... and just replace the #1,2,4 bushings.

 

my boss bought me one. he surprised me with it. great guy but, i diffidently would have bought the O.E.M. he had given me the truck so i am doing what is necessary to get it right. i had to hunt down a parasitic draw for 1 mo. then there was a Mager short that fried 2 alternators. so, i don't mind putting $ into her course i will be upgrading in like 4 mos. and i don't want to sell someone junk. thanks

 

Concerning the mounts, I had mine replaced on my 2005 F250 Superduty about a week or so ago. I elected to have my mechanic do the work. I don’t have the crew cab, so only needed six mounts. I purchased the S&B mount kit and couldn’t be happier with them. They were a bit pricey but worth every penny. They are guaranteed for the life of the vehicle. I had a metal to metal clanking when going over bumps prior to having them replaced and now it is quiet as it should be and the ride is good as well. I hope the ones you choose hold up for you better than the originals.

 

hey thanks Richy. other than the expensive ones that i have been seeing since doing me research, they all are quite a few grades better then the ones that ford has been putting out. my boss had beat me to it. and so also what is odd is that the other aftermarket i keep seeing from different company's like even your chains like AutoZone etc..., are they are identical kits and most online show the instructions with the and they are the same exact instructions that i got in my kit. so, there is the great..... and the rest are all the same. if I'm not mistaking, i do remember seeing dome Chinese writing somewhere on them on the back, i think. so yeah, i have decided to let the shop do it. they are a couple of friends of money from school days and beyond since we all still live here in st. louis. The'll be fair. we all trade work and such i gave the one of them a good deal on pouring a porch for her so now i get a break from him . you probably understand. besides i don't want to get in some bind with my truck sitting at my boss's shop with the need for another day and this tool and that and i also would be doing them after work pouring concrete all day does not make one motivated to lay under a truck and curse till midnight or longer. be good my friend. and thanks for the advice.