OEM Shocks
#1
01-02-2009, 08:12 PM
Join Date: Nov 2008
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#5
01-03-2009, 06:29 PM
Hotshot
I tow a 9000# TT that puts 1100-1200#'s of tongue weight on the rear of the Ex. Couple that with my family and the 'stuff' we haul in the Ex...My Ex scales at 9050#'s when I haul my fresh tank full (hardly ever actually) (but when I do I am about 150#'s more than GVWR...BUT about 150#'s LESS than a PSD GVWR which I share everything with i.e. brakes, wheels, tires, axles, etc...EXCEPT spring set so I have no problem with it)
My point is that I had 34K miles on my '05 when I decided to swap out shocks. I went with Bilsteins from http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....e=model&type=T he is an FTE site sponsor. Enter code ford-trucks at checkout and you will get a 5% discount.
After installing my shocks...OMG...what a difference in towing. Previously with my OEM shocks with 34K miles on a country road towing to a local state park...hitting bumps/dips in the road would result in 2-3 BOUNCES before it would dampen out. With the Bilsteins on that SAME road...I get ONE bounce and it is done...what a difference. A much improved ride INSIDE the cabin for all when towing. My wife is prone to car sickness...with these shocks while towing...she sleeps like a baby.
So even with ONLY 34K miles on my OEMs with only ~15K of those towing since I bought the truck with 15K on the clock...the shocks were either too soft for towing or had worn out.
The Rancho 9000XLs are another popular option on here. They offer a manually adjustable **** to select from firm to soft. I've found those to be more expensive than the Bilsteins however. On Shockwarehouse.com you can get a 4wd set of 4 as follows shipped to your door after the 5% discount is taken off:
Bilsteins $273
Rancho 9000X $437
I know other members have found killer deals on Rancho 9000X and 9000XLs but when I was looking I couldn't find any. Plus my Ex is primarily a tow vehicle...I didn't see myself adjusting for a softer ride much...many of the others use their Ex's as a daily driver...and I could see wanting a softer ride...the Ranchos in that case may make financial sense...for me...they didn't.
So all I can offer is that in my case...towing my TT...I would say my OEM's were worn out after about 34K miles with 15K miles of towing in there.
Good luck,
Joe.
My point is that I had 34K miles on my '05 when I decided to swap out shocks. I went with Bilsteins from http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....e=model&type=T he is an FTE site sponsor. Enter code ford-trucks at checkout and you will get a 5% discount.
After installing my shocks...OMG...what a difference in towing. Previously with my OEM shocks with 34K miles on a country road towing to a local state park...hitting bumps/dips in the road would result in 2-3 BOUNCES before it would dampen out. With the Bilsteins on that SAME road...I get ONE bounce and it is done...what a difference. A much improved ride INSIDE the cabin for all when towing. My wife is prone to car sickness...with these shocks while towing...she sleeps like a baby.
So even with ONLY 34K miles on my OEMs with only ~15K of those towing since I bought the truck with 15K on the clock...the shocks were either too soft for towing or had worn out.
The Rancho 9000XLs are another popular option on here. They offer a manually adjustable **** to select from firm to soft. I've found those to be more expensive than the Bilsteins however. On Shockwarehouse.com you can get a 4wd set of 4 as follows shipped to your door after the 5% discount is taken off:
Bilsteins $273
Rancho 9000X $437
I know other members have found killer deals on Rancho 9000X and 9000XLs but when I was looking I couldn't find any. Plus my Ex is primarily a tow vehicle...I didn't see myself adjusting for a softer ride much...many of the others use their Ex's as a daily driver...and I could see wanting a softer ride...the Ranchos in that case may make financial sense...for me...they didn't.
So all I can offer is that in my case...towing my TT...I would say my OEM's were worn out after about 34K miles with 15K miles of towing in there.
Good luck,
Joe.