Ok guys its shock time for me,
What are the best shocks for the X and wheres the cheapest place to get them,
Thanks
Nick

 

I've had the Rancho rsx series for almost a year. Dont feel much different than factory shocks. Have noticed a bump noise on pot holes and the like. Havent had them off-road. Dont really like the fact that the bushings are not as wide as the brackets they bolt into on the EX. I think I paid around $85 a piece. Fronts came from Oreily and rears from Advance.

 

I've been looking also - I'd like the Ranchos with the adjustment, but its just out of my budget. SO I've been eyeballing the Bilsteins on Eaby for $233 for a complete set. ALso, if you search using Live.com, you can get a 8% refund from Microsoft (you have to use Buy It Now and PayPal).

 

Fox Racing shocks would be cool if you dont really have a budget. I have always wanted a set of reservoir shocks on my truck. I dont know if they will fit with a stock truck though. The Rancho 9000 with remote you can adjust the damping of your ride quality from inside your X. That would be another great choice I think...
Hu...with no budget I mean.
Hey by the way WWsw32 what kinda toys go into 32foot weekend Warrior????

 

4 bikes and a golf cart with a small trailer!

 

Witch kind of Bilsteins should I get or is there only one kind

 

Nick,

First off...witches have nothing to do with shocks...at least not the kind that goes on your pops truck

WHICH shocks...well now those are a different story!

As you know I mostly tow (like 80% of my miles are towing our 9000# TT).

I thought about the Rancho 9000XL's but at the time I was looking they wanted over $120 more for a set of 4. Plus for me in my situation...my Ex is my Snow and Tow vehicle and not a people mover...I didn't see myself crawling under the Ex to adjust the settings...

I went with the Bilsteins. For non-lifted Ex's you need F4-BE5-6208-HO for the fronts and F4-BE5-6209-HO for the rear...BTW...these numbers are for 4WD Ex's...for 2WD versions...check the link below...

You can get them at Bilsteins Shocks - Shockwarehouse.com for about $270 shipped to your door...at checkout enter the code fordtrucks for a 5% discount...they are a site sponsor here on FTE. Scroll down on that link as it is a search result link...look for the HEAVY DUTY shocks on that page...or head to Ebay as Mark suggested...but you may have shipping on Ebay...and Shockwarehouse.com is a site sponsor too...

In my experiences in towing since I swapped to the Bilsteins...man what a ride even with the 1100-1200#'s of tongue weight pushing and bouncing on the rear of the Ex. I noticed right away once I changed the shocks that on the same back country road I tow on to get to a localish State Park...with the OEM shocks...I would get 2-3 bounces (porpoising motions) after hitting a bump...with the Bilsteins...I get maximum of ONE before it damps out...a great shock for towing IMO.

Good luck!
Joe.

 

If I was looking for new shocks I would seriously consider the Edelbrock Performer IAS.

 

LOL!

That applies to either of your parents Excursions, Nick!

Yep, adjustability is nice and all, but I too didn't see myself getting under the Ex very much to change the settings. Plus, why would I? It aint like I'm at the track with my Lightning, dialing in my suspension for the best pass.

Bilsteins here too.

If you've upgraded the springs on your parents Excursions, do a search using my name and you'll find a set of Bilsteins shock numbers to use for the front of the Excursions with a spring upgrade.

Stewart

 

Stewart,

ALL EXCELLENT points...

and you are so right...I should have pointed out the spring upgrade on some Ex's and what that means to the part numbers...but that's what makes this forum so great...someone always has someone's back with NO FLAMING involved...just helpful information spreading...that's why I have been hanging out here so much more than my other forum spots!

hey...I'm in Cypress California all this week and weekend...I'm sure I have asked you this before...but is that anywhere near you?

Joe

 

I just saw where you posted that info in the "snow vid" thread.

No, you're in SoCal. I'm on the Central Coast.

If you look at a map of California, I'm centrally located exactly halfway between the Oregon border, and the Mexican border, on the coast.

Think Monterey, Pebble Beach, Carmel etc. The golfers paradise.

Stewart

 

Okay...Thanks!...I wish I were closer...would love to finally meet you...

I think I may be able to hook up with Scottman when I'm in Phoenix next month for the American Meteorological Society Conference I'm going to down in his neck of the woods...just trying to hook up with some of my forum buds as I travel around the country...

Sorry Nick for the sidetrack...you can smack me...sorry...


Joe.

 

As previously mentioned - I use Live.com for searching becuase they are offering CashBack on lots of stuff - so I was searching for shocks again and now they teamed with JCWhitney for 15% cash back! Plus, JCW is, as usual, offering free S&H on orders over $75 (use SAVENOW code).

For example the Rancho 9000XL Adjustables are 101.99 *4 = 407.96, then you get 15% cash back which would be 61.94 = 346.02 or ~$86 ea.

Of course you can also go with the lesser expensive shocks as well.

I'm kind of torn between the Bilsteins (cuz lots of folks like them), but I was brought up with Ranchos on 4x4's... oh, the delimma!!

On Edit:
I also checked my email and insted of free shipping, you use promo code DECAMX8 (before 12/22) and get $50 off from JCW on $200 or more purchase... you'll still get the 15% from Live.com (based in the discounted total).

 

I have the Rancho adjustables and I love these shocks! I run them on the softest setting around town and they actually soften the ride to where it's noticeable! When I tow I set them at the firmest setting and they are very stiff! I suggest the adjustables just because you have the best of both worlds, a good ride empty and a stiffer ride when towing! The Bilsteins are a great shock but they do not soften up as much as the Rancho shocks when your not towing! Oh and when off roading I set them on the softest setting and that makes the ride way better while driving over rocks, washboard etc...........

 

I have Ranchos Adjustables and one don't have to duck under the truck to keep adjusting the settings, the great thing about being adjustable is that you can have the fronts softer than the rears unlike Bilsteins you no choice. Also if you want to change the setting regularly because of towing or off road driving or whatever reason then grab the wireless remote for them.

Look at what scottman said! LOVE EM!