They sent me rear shocks for the 7700 lb, so I called and they will replace them with the right ones. No problem it'll just be a little longer without them on. 
When to change shocks??
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2005
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When to change shocks??
Just wondering when its best to change shocks on my truck. Its a 2001 Ford F150 XL Supercab 4X2 with positive rear end, 4.6l V8. It has 127 000 kms and the shock are original. It doesnt ride too bad but was wondering how much life is left in them. Also, whats the life of a shock for this truck?
Is it a big job or can it be done by myself in my driveway?
I was thinkiing Monroe or KYB? Any preference?
Thanks in advance.
Is it a big job or can it be done by myself in my driveway?
I was thinkiing Monroe or KYB? Any preference?
Thanks in advance.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 382
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From: Green Bay WI. / Wawa Ont.
Depends on how you drive, the roads your on, and sometimes they go sooner. I have an 02 with 97k miles and I just ordered 4 rancho RS5K's for $113.85 from
www.samsoffroad.com Even if they aren't leeking or broke, the ride will improve.
Your miles are close to mine. You never know with shocks unless it's visible.
www.samsoffroad.com Even if they aren't leeking or broke, the ride will improve.
Your miles are close to mine. You never know with shocks unless it's visible.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,486
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From: Iowa
I put sensitracks on and i really dont like them much... they stiffend up my ride alot but didnt really help much when haulin heavy loads.... id say go with factorys or maybe the ranchos since they are factory now...
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Likes: 45
From: Central NY
Originally Posted by jimm66
Depends on how you drive, the roads your on, and sometimes they go sooner. I have an 02 with 97k miles and I just ordered 4 rancho RS5K's for $113.85 from
www.samsoffroad.com Even if they aren't leeking or broke, the ride will improve.
Your miles are close to mine. You never know with shocks unless it's visible.
www.samsoffroad.com Even if they aren't leeking or broke, the ride will improve.
Your miles are close to mine. You never know with shocks unless it's visible.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 282
Likes: 3
Unless your truck is noticeably bouncing excessively over bumps, the best way is to check tire wear...usually bad shocks will create a slight (or worse) scallop of the tread. Sometimes you can just see it, but run your hand over the tread one way and it will be smooth, the other way rough (like a cat toungue). 
Easy to change, I did mine myself last summer.
Easy to change, I did mine myself last summer.
Last edited by wgotthardt; Apr 4, 2007 at 12:14 PM.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 382
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From: Green Bay WI. / Wawa Ont.
Originally Posted by wgotthardt
Unless your truck is noticeably bouncing excessively over bumps, the best way is to check tire wear...usually bad shocks will create a slight (or worse) scallop of the tread. Sometimes you can just see it, but run your hand over the tread one way and it will be smooth, the other way rough (like a cat toungue).
Easy to change, I did mine myself last summer.
Easy to change, I did mine myself last summer.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 382
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From: Green Bay WI. / Wawa Ont.
Replaced the shocks today and they were bad. No signs of them being bad. Had even tire wear and ride was ok. I guess 97k is a lot to ask for. Anyway new ones are on and it might be a little stiffer ride. Have to drive it for awhile and see. 
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 4,349
From: SW VA
Originally Posted by wgotthardt
Unless your truck is noticeably bouncing excessively over bumps, the best way is to check tire wear...usually bad shocks will create a slight (or worse) scallop of the tread. Sometimes you can just see it, but run your hand over the tread one way and it will be smooth, the other way rough (like a cat toungue).
Easy to change, I did mine myself last summer.
Easy to change, I did mine myself last summer.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
I just changed mine at 70,000 miles. They still rode ok. I do alot of heavy towing and wanted something a little stiffer. I went to the Rancho RS5000's. The ride a little firmer than stock, but it's not a bad ride. It's a 4x4 truck. If I wanted it to ride smooth, I would have bought a Crown Vic.
The stock shocks still fully extended on their own when I removed them and showed no signs of leaking. So the answer to the original question is replace them if the truck bounces more than once when you push it down or if there is oil leaking from them.
It can be done in the driveway. You will need an 18mm socket and wrench to remove the stock shocks.
The stock shocks still fully extended on their own when I removed them and showed no signs of leaking. So the answer to the original question is replace them if the truck bounces more than once when you push it down or if there is oil leaking from them.
It can be done in the driveway. You will need an 18mm socket and wrench to remove the stock shocks.
Last edited by LxMan1; Apr 19, 2007 at 11:52 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 382
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From: Green Bay WI. / Wawa Ont.
The old shocks extended way too easy, nothing like the new ones. Could not tell by the bounce test. They were bad for sure. Took a 100 mile trip today and ride IS improved. Feels like you have better control. Maybe slightly stiffer but any shock would over the old ones. Any way I'm glad I decided to change them and the price was right. 
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 93
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Originally Posted by LxMan1
I just changed mine at 70,000 miles. They still rode ok. I do alot of heavy towing and wanted something a little stiffer. I went to the Rancho RS5000's. The ride a little firmer than stock, but it's not a bad ride. It's a 4x4 truck. If I wanted it to ride smooth, I would have bought a Crown Vic.
The stock shocks still fully extended on their own when I removed them and showed no signs of leaking. So the answer to the original question is replace them if the truck bounces more than once when you push it down or if there is oil leaking from them.
It can be done in the driveway. You will need an 18mm socket and wrench to remove the stock shocks.
The stock shocks still fully extended on their own when I removed them and showed no signs of leaking. So the answer to the original question is replace them if the truck bounces more than once when you push it down or if there is oil leaking from them.
It can be done in the driveway. You will need an 18mm socket and wrench to remove the stock shocks.
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ATC Crazy
Thanks for that! My last set of tires scalloped really, really bad. I (and all my mechanic friends) thought it was the alignment, but I had an alignment done a month or so ago and it was almost spot on. I do have the origional 10 year old shocks on it though...