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Shock upgrade options?

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Old May 17, 2024 | 02:02 PM
  #16  
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Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 are both great budget shock options.
 
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Old May 17, 2024 | 11:27 PM
  #17  
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Call the folks at https://accutuneoffroad.com/ and tell them how you plan to use the truck.
They'll make a recommendation and spend the time to answer questions.
I had Fox on my 2017 and I installed Fox on my 24. Was it expensive, yes ... but completely worth it for how I use my truck.
 
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Old May 17, 2024 | 11:37 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by sbechtold
Call the folks at https://accutuneoffroad.com/ and tell them how you plan to use the truck.
They'll make a recommendation and spend the time to answer questions.
I had Fox on my 2017 and I installed Fox on my 24. Was it expensive, yes ... but completely worth it for how I use my truck.
They have been in the shock biz for awhile and seem to know their stuff. I just recently noticed they are coming out with, or have their own line of shocks. Not sure how extensive it will be. Might be Toyota only as of now.
 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 05:10 AM
  #19  
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Another vote for the 5100's. Much better rebound control than the factory shocks. The rear end no longer "skittles" around a bumpy corner. They make a set for trucks with leveling lifts too.
 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 08:39 AM
  #20  
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My experience …others will vary

2019 f-450


oem to blistien = no diff

oem to rancho 9000 adjustable = on min setting worse, on ma. Setting no diff

oem to fox 2.0, never tried them. It suspect they will be fine

oem to fox 2.5, adjustable version , at max setting I am happy with them. I asked for a plus up in the valving and didn’t get the plus up. Suspect I will need more dampening with a big load so that’s why I asked for the plus up.

Also added sulastics HD version, summo springs, helwig overleaf


 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 08:40 AM
  #21  
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I'm leaning towards the 5100s at this point, but is there an increase in performance with the Fox 2.0? Also is one going to last longer than the other? I'm also looking to swap out the OEM steering stabilizer as well since adding a heavier 35" wheel/tire.
 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 09:35 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by bluehammer
I'm leaning towards the 5100s at this point, but is there an increase in performance with the Fox 2.0? Also is one going to last longer than the other? I'm also looking to swap out the OEM steering stabilizer as well since adding a heavier 35" wheel/tire.
The Foxes can be rebuilt, the Bilstiens can’t. Saying that, I have seen plenty of folks state they are going well over 50k on Bilsteins with no issues, while I have read of some folks (but not all) having to rebuild the Foxes quite a bit earlier. Also take into consideration the cost of rebuilds as well as time for your truck being down during the rebuild (unless you have other shocks to swap out with). I’ve said this before and been blamed for hating on Fox shocks and that’s not the case. It’s just what I have read over the years. In fact, I wanted a set, but considering almost double the initial price, then the reports of more often rebuilds, along with cost and time, I went for the ones that are simpler, easily proven and less expensive on the pocket book.

Saying all of this, I love my 5100’s. I also upgraded my OE tires to the Falken Wildpeak AT4 295/70/18’s (34.5x11.5) that weighs 70 lbs each. No problem so far but between the new shocks (including the matching 5100 steering stabilizer) and the new tires, my truck rides smoother and more stabile than when new. It’s so much enjoyable to drive.


 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 10:33 AM
  #23  
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I just did bilstien 5100 all around and a steering damper
 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 04:45 PM
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5100s are a waste of money unless you have a lift kit. The 4600s are internally the same.
 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 04:50 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by chadstickpoindexter
The Foxes can be rebuilt, the Bilstiens can’t. Saying that, I have seen plenty of folks state they are going well over 50k on Bilsteins with no issues, while I have read of some folks (but not all) having to rebuild the Foxes quite a bit earlier. Also take into consideration the cost of rebuilds as well as time for your truck being down during the rebuild (unless you have other shocks to swap out with). I’ve said this before and been blamed for hating on Fox shocks and that’s not the case. It’s just what I have read over the years. In fact, I wanted a set, but considering almost double the initial price, then the reports of more often rebuilds, along with cost and time, I went for the ones that are simpler, easily proven and less expensive on the pocket book.

Saying all of this, I love my 5100’s. I also upgraded my OE tires to the Falken Wildpeak AT4 295/70/18’s (34.5x11.5) that weighs 70 lbs each. No problem so far but between the new shocks (including the matching 5100 steering stabilizer) and the new tires, my truck rides smoother and more stabile than when new. It’s so much enjoyable to drive.
This is exactly my line of thinking. I also just swapped to Falken AT4s in 285 75 18 and those alone improved the ride more than I thought they would.
 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 05:05 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by WXboy
5100s are a waste of money unless you have a lift kit. The 4600s are internally the same.
The internal valving is the same, but the 5100s have a slightly higher pressure. That and the exterior finish are the differences.
 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 05:25 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by WXboy
5100s are a waste of money unless you have a lift kit. The 4600s are internally the same.
Not a waste if the buyer prefers the zinc finish and possibly a slightly different ride. The 5100's for the rear are the exact same dimensions as the rear 4600's, and for the front, only around 5/16" longer than the 4600's. So lift or not is somewhat irrelevant. I've contacted Bilstein in regards to differences between 4600's and 5100's for a different vehicle application, and was told that they have slightly different rebound and compression dampening. That contradics what a Bilstein rep has said at least once about the Super Duty specific shocks.
 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 05:26 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by ShotgunZ71
The internal valving is the same, but the 5100s have a slightly higher pressure. That and the exterior finish are the differences.
Bilstein tech support via email told me that for my 2022 F250 the 4600 and 5100 are exactly the same with the exception of length and external finish.
 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 05:52 PM
  #29  
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Typically with lifts come bigger tires. With bigger tires come heavier mass for the shock to control... This is were the 5100 comes in.
 
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Old May 18, 2024 | 08:39 PM
  #30  
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Anyone know anything about these?
https://eibach.com/eps-search?year=2...4WD+%7C+Diesel

I remember Eibach was "cool" back in high school, price is right to try I think for my next set unless they are known crap. Happy with my Fox 2.0 over stock
 
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