New Shocks
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 48
Likes: 21
From: BFE SD
Zee
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 205
Likes: 56
This thread is also the first time I ever see anyone say FX4 shocks are stiffer. I don't recall anyone ever prove or disprove it either way, but my butt-calibrated feel first time I drove mine with the FX4 package was it was quite soft, it's the spring that people feel and complain about when unloaded. Turns out trucks that can carry 3-5000lbs with tires pumped up to 75psi ride rough with just the driver in it. Imagine that.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,985
Likes: 2,322
It's entirely possible your 250 had defective shocks, not unusual for stock shocks to fail early, despite what some may consider as heresy.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 205
Likes: 56
Did Ford tell you that or did someone working at a dealer or vendor say that? I am sure many people here, including myself, would be most curious how they differ.
It's entirely possible your 250 had defective shocks, not unusual for stock shocks to fail early, despite what some may consider as heresy.
It's entirely possible your 250 had defective shocks, not unusual for stock shocks to fail early, despite what some may consider as heresy.
The parts man at the ford dealer plus on Ford Genuine Parts.....good enough for me.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 553
you guys think the truck is gonna implode if you drive it without a shock? lol. twin tube shocks are basically driving with no shocks anyways so imagine youre driving it like when it was stock.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 1,655
From: Bighorn Basin, NW Wyoming
I broke the front driver’s side shock mount off the axle of my 1977 Blazer. Had to drive it off road and on the highway back to Ely Nevada with dual Rancho 5000’s one side of the front axle and nothing on the other. Couldn’t tell the difference.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 606
No my cupcake, just having Rancho guy post the process so people understand Rancho isn't going to send you a shock like people seem to believe.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,985
Likes: 2,322
Maybe fox or king or whoever else has a more trusting policy that they will first send you replacement for a unit purchased on eBay and have faith in you sending in the old defective one, I don’t know.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
Although my miles are roughly half of yours, my factory shocks are fine.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 129
Likes: 66
From: Coastal VA
Hey, did you have any trouble getting a Bilstein part number for your truck? I'm assuming it's not lifted
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,635
Likes: 2,430
The part numbers are very easy to get. You can find them in many of these threads, on Bilsteins website, and most other sites that sell them. Just keep in mind the front 5100's will list a lift height of 2-2.5", just ignore it.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 275
Likes: 156
no lift, just used 24-274951 for the front and 24-274968 for the rear. also got the steering damper 24-286558
Trailering
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 23
Likes: 21
From: Keithville, LA
Had Bilstein 5100s on a 2014 F150 and they were an excellent upgrade from stock. I'll do the same for my F250, at first sign the stocks are getting spongy. Bilsteins are well worth the money.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 129
Likes: 66
From: Coastal VA
Swap to Bilstein 5100 Complete
Folks,
This is a public service announcement of sorts - I swapped the factory shocks and steering damper to Bilstein 5100s (#24-274951 and #24-274968). The front Bilsteins are within a 1/2 inch of the factory shocks in length, so don't worry about fitment. I don't know why Bilstein doesn't officially recommend them for an un-lifted truck.
I did the swap on my 2024 F350 CCSB Lariat Ultimate, 7.3L with 4,400 miles in the odometer. I have been running 55/50 PSIG front/rear on the stock Dueler AT 275/65R20, which did help the ride and the control over bumps. The difference with these new shocks and steering damper is amazing. The truck is a little smoother over bumps, rebound damping is excellent (no more bouncing around after a bump in the road). The steering damper removed all of the 1/2 second to 1 second death wobble that I was experiencing over road imperfections.
Don't give this a second thought - pay the $500 for the shocks and steering damper and put them on today. The ride is closer to my F150's ride than my Excursion's ride. Best money I've spent this year.
My two cents worth....
This is a public service announcement of sorts - I swapped the factory shocks and steering damper to Bilstein 5100s (#24-274951 and #24-274968). The front Bilsteins are within a 1/2 inch of the factory shocks in length, so don't worry about fitment. I don't know why Bilstein doesn't officially recommend them for an un-lifted truck.
I did the swap on my 2024 F350 CCSB Lariat Ultimate, 7.3L with 4,400 miles in the odometer. I have been running 55/50 PSIG front/rear on the stock Dueler AT 275/65R20, which did help the ride and the control over bumps. The difference with these new shocks and steering damper is amazing. The truck is a little smoother over bumps, rebound damping is excellent (no more bouncing around after a bump in the road). The steering damper removed all of the 1/2 second to 1 second death wobble that I was experiencing over road imperfections.
Don't give this a second thought - pay the $500 for the shocks and steering damper and put them on today. The ride is closer to my F150's ride than my Excursion's ride. Best money I've spent this year.
My two cents worth....