. Both are good shocks and I doubt you will go wrong with either of them.
Shock recommendation
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Waukesha, WI
Shock recommendation
Hi All,
I'm looking for advice on new shocks. truck is an 87 F150 4x4, I have a 4" rough contry suspension lift lift that came with heckenthorn shocks. I'm not very impressed with the shocks. Back end jumps into the other lane if I hit a bump, almost lost it the other day in the snow. So I'm looking for a better ride. I do mostly street driving and some light off road.
Rancho RS5000 are inexpensive and I can buy local.
Rancho 9000x's were suggested by a friend. I've heard bad things about rancho shock bushings.
Bilstein 5100's sound like they should work well, and I'm leaning towards those. I don't mind paying the extra.
I looked for monroe shocks but could not find any for lifted suspensions.
Does anyone have recommendations or advantages/disadvantages of any of these shocks.
Thanks
Brian
I'm looking for advice on new shocks. truck is an 87 F150 4x4, I have a 4" rough contry suspension lift lift that came with heckenthorn shocks. I'm not very impressed with the shocks. Back end jumps into the other lane if I hit a bump, almost lost it the other day in the snow. So I'm looking for a better ride. I do mostly street driving and some light off road.
Rancho RS5000 are inexpensive and I can buy local.
Rancho 9000x's were suggested by a friend. I've heard bad things about rancho shock bushings.
Bilstein 5100's sound like they should work well, and I'm leaning towards those. I don't mind paying the extra.
I looked for monroe shocks but could not find any for lifted suspensions.
Does anyone have recommendations or advantages/disadvantages of any of these shocks.
Thanks
Brian
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 887
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From: MN
I have the RS5000's on my truck and do like them. I put Bilstens (don't know what kind) on my dad's G30 motor home, and they really reduced body roll and tamed a really bouncy rear end.
Waukesha eh? I grew up in Grafton, got quite a few good freinds from Waukesha.
Waukesha eh? I grew up in Grafton, got quite a few good freinds from Waukesha.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Waukesha, WI
I'm going to try the Bilsteins. I was on the fence between the 9000x and Bilsteins, the bilsteins have a good name and are less $$$, but the adjustability of the 9000x's is appealing.
Thanks guys
Brian
Thanks guys
Brian
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 150
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I've had both - the 9000's are nice but are enough of a pain to adjust that you'll eventually just find a setting you like and leave it there. Go with the Bilstiens - you will have no regrets and since I've had them, about a year, I've never wished that I could adjust them! After years of so-so performance from Monroes, Ranchos etc... I was shocked (excuse the pun) by the performance of the Bilstiens. You'll like them.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
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From: USA
I probably would have gone with Bilsteins front and rear on my truck if I wasn't using it to haul a camper and pull a trailer. The adjustable damping feature of the Ranchos I put on the rear axle is nice for firming up the ride for better handling when the camper is on and softening it for when it's empty so it doesn't jar my teeth out. Front axle weight doesn't change much with a load in the bed or not, so the non-adjustable Bilsteins on the front still have a good damping rate for both loaded and unloaded conditions.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Waukesha, WI
Yeah, that crossed my mind about the adjustables for the rear, and I really spent way too much time thinking about it. but I think I'll be happy with the Bilsteins all around.
It was alot of work just finding them. The rear shocks most places had in stock. The front shocks were all backordered from the factory and lead times were in the 3-4 week range. Called about a dozen places I found on the web. Finally found a place that had 2 left for $65 each, so I ordered them. Lets see if they get me the right ones.
They sure won't be here soon enough...
It was alot of work just finding them. The rear shocks most places had in stock. The front shocks were all backordered from the factory and lead times were in the 3-4 week range. Called about a dozen places I found on the web. Finally found a place that had 2 left for $65 each, so I ordered them. Lets see if they get me the right ones.
They sure won't be here soon enough...
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: north carolina
fxdude don't know if you have decided on what to go with yet but was just looking on 4wheelparts website they have a deal going with the procomp es3000's (4 for $135) just thought i would mention it
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Waukesha, WI
Just thought I would mention I got the Bilsteins on about a week ago and have had a chance to give it the run around town and back and forth to work. Big difference in ride qualityand the way it handles. The back end hop is reduced considerably, and it doesn't bounce like a ghetto cruiser for a half mile after hitting a bump. Steering on the bad roads is also gooder. And this is the bad time of year for the roads around here.
Thanks
Brian
Thanks
Brian
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: SE Texas
Are those the Bilstein 5100 series that you installed? I put a set on an 02 F250 last year, and they ride great. I have RS9000X shocks on my 98 Z-71, like them, too. I have not broken a Rancho shock in over 20 years of hardcore driving.
Junior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 68
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From: Minneapolis
So I've read several posts regarding shocks...but I'm still not sure which ones I should get. I've got an '87 F-150 4x4 "Heavy Half"...it has the dual shocks in front and extra leaf springs in the rear...plus the "towing package"...I do a LOT of heavy hauling almost daily
...ie: 1000-3000+ lbs. ....She sags a bit(noticeable) but doesn't drag a**...
What is going to give me a decent daily ride plus be able to handle the loads better?
I can't afford anything super expensive...Are the Bilstein's worth looking into?
Thanks,
Rory/Roddey
...ie: 1000-3000+ lbs. ....She sags a bit(noticeable) but doesn't drag a**...
What is going to give me a decent daily ride plus be able to handle the loads better?
I can't afford anything super expensive...Are the Bilstein's worth looking into?
Thanks,
Rory/Roddey
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