Shock Recommendation
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Loveland, CO
Originally Posted by FTE Tim
Puh-leeze...YOU two need to stop now, or you both get time off.
I agree with the last post of the shocks being completely blown at 50,000 miles. It depends on how you treat your truck. I can blow a set (like I did on my 2002) in a couple of weeks if I wanted to.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
Here I agree with Tim, which I don't do often. Stock shocks will last if you use your truck as a soccer mom suv. But if you haul, or tow the stock shocks will not hold up (about 10,000 miles).
I am way past needing shocks, so I have been lurking here.
Thanks for the info so far. I am leaning towards the Bilsteins.
But I will listen for awhile.
I am way past needing shocks, so I have been lurking here.
Thanks for the info so far. I am leaning towards the Bilsteins.
But I will listen for awhile.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by Big Bad
Nine times out of ten, absolutely dead wrong.
I did, and every stock shock I pull off is complete junk.
Last time was on a 04 F150 with 70k miles. Once the shocks were off the truck and compressed they didn't even try and come back out!
That was a lot of hwy miles with very little towing.
So, shocks need to be replaced around 30,000 miles b/c they aren't doing their job anymore.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Issaquah, WA
Originally Posted by F0rdzTuff
Look *****, I was ASKING aquestion, not making a statement. Perhaps they never taught you the meaning of a "?" mark in elementary school, but that isn't MY problem.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 937
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by MBBFord
Did you pull mutliple shocks off to know this....?
I did, and every stock shock I pull off is complete junk.
Last time was on a 04 F150 with 70k miles. Once the shocks were off the truck and compressed they didn't even try and come back out!
That was a lot of hwy miles with very little towing.
So, shocks need to be replaced around 30,000 miles b/c they aren't doing their job anymore.
I did, and every stock shock I pull off is complete junk.
Last time was on a 04 F150 with 70k miles. Once the shocks were off the truck and compressed they didn't even try and come back out!
That was a lot of hwy miles with very little towing.
So, shocks need to be replaced around 30,000 miles b/c they aren't doing their job anymore.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: San Mateo, CA
Counting back through the past 30 years I've changed shocks more than a dozen times on about that many vehicles. Certainly nothing special but I know each and every time I replaced the shocks the vehicles ride was improved either moderately to so significant it was like a new vehicle.
Shocks are wear items- They wear out. Of the ones I did there were three sets where the shocks were completely flat- no rebound at all. When I replaced the heavy-duty OEM shocks on my old '01 f150 4x4 at 70k I did a comparison squish test and didn't see much difference. Thought I was replacing too early. I've got to say after replacing them I was laughing out loud because of how improved the ride was.
I would replace the OEM shocks at the first tire change (45-75k) and then every couple tire changes. But that is just me.
Some people will push the wear item until there is absolutely no life left- which is fine, it's a machine.
I use the vehicle for fun- I want the ride to the playground to be enjoyable. I'll pay extra to keep the vehicle running in perfect order. If it were a work truck I would do scheduled maintenance and only repair/replace when necessary to keep the vehicle useful.
Anybody try Monroe reflex on these trucks? They are the ones that made me grin from ear to ear on my 01.
Tim
Shocks are wear items- They wear out. Of the ones I did there were three sets where the shocks were completely flat- no rebound at all. When I replaced the heavy-duty OEM shocks on my old '01 f150 4x4 at 70k I did a comparison squish test and didn't see much difference. Thought I was replacing too early. I've got to say after replacing them I was laughing out loud because of how improved the ride was.
I would replace the OEM shocks at the first tire change (45-75k) and then every couple tire changes. But that is just me.
Some people will push the wear item until there is absolutely no life left- which is fine, it's a machine.
I use the vehicle for fun- I want the ride to the playground to be enjoyable. I'll pay extra to keep the vehicle running in perfect order. If it were a work truck I would do scheduled maintenance and only repair/replace when necessary to keep the vehicle useful.
Anybody try Monroe reflex on these trucks? They are the ones that made me grin from ear to ear on my 01.
Tim
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
I just got thru replacing the shocks after 42k miles, with the bilsteins 5100 series. I used the second highest position setting on the front shocks to get a level ride height. Got a great deal at topguncustomz. ***Please do not try to install the coils yourself, have a shop install for you. I tried with the auto parts spring loaner tool??? The coils need to be compressed more to install if you are going to use the level ride height location. the guy at the shop charged me $40 and he told me to NEVER try it yourself. I couldnt agree more. Yes the coil will have some preload. I called bilstein and asked of this they said the shocks were made in consideration of this. I took it for a ride and i can say i have noticed a difference already. I need to see how it feels on the freeway. I also replaced rotors(powerslot) and hawk pads.
I also replaced my excursion with bilstein and yes what a difference. I had the edelbrocks and they lasted soso.
I also replaced my excursion with bilstein and yes what a difference. I had the edelbrocks and they lasted soso.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Bilstein's are only adjustable as to stock height or a 2" lift. They valving is not adjustable. The way Bilstien sets it up is what you got. Rancho's QuickLift only offers a raised spring perch (no stock height with QuickLift) which gives ~2" - 2.5" of lift. The adjustablity is in the shock valving for rebound and compression. I had a lot of questions about the Rancho's before I installed them and it wasn't clear to me either. I called their tech line and got the info and then ordered them. They've only been on a few days, but I just made a round trip of 60 miles on beat-to-hell I-10 and I like 'em.
