I installed bigger wheels and tires back in November and immediately noticed that my factory shocks were not up to the task of handling the extra mass. I ordered some Bilstein HD shocks (yellow ones) in December but due to weather and other issues I did not have time to install them until yesterday. My observations are as follows.

1. My factory shocks had 16,500 miles on them and they were junk. I easily compressed them with one hand and the had no rebound what so ever. It took about one minute for a fully compressed shock to extends back out. I may as well of driven around with no shocks.

2. The Bilsteins were easy to install. I have air tools so removal and installation went quickly but the job could easily be done with hand tools. The top nut's on the front shocks are the biggest pita of the job and required hand tools due to limited space.

3. Bilsteins installation instructions are not that good so common mechanical sense is needed for the install. You need to reuse most of the factory hardware during installation except for the front shocks upper hardware.

4. The difference in ride is very noticeable. When I installed the new rims and tires I was bummed at the loss in ride quality. I figured it was the penalty for "cool" wheels. I gambled on new shocks and won for sure. I've read all about how factory shocks are junk but I was amazed that in 16,500 miles they were utterly useless. My guess is they were useless at 10,000 miles but the new wheels really amplified how bad they were.

In my opinion aftermarket shocks should be installed at the first oil change on a new truck.

 

Appreciate sharing your observations. I have just over 60k miles on my truck and have decided to do Bilsteins while making some mods. People under estimate the value of a good shock and its ability to dampen suspension travel, improve ride quality and handling characteristics of a vehicle.

 

My factory shocks were the same way as well. In fact one of the front shocks (drivers side if I remember right) didn't rebound all the way and still hasn't. I am a firm believer in new shocks on these trucks no matter what brand you get. I installed the Brillstein's on my truck as well. I don't know if they were worth that kind of money but I did notice a difference in ride.

 

I replaced my at 4500 miles and the stock FX4 rancho's were junk. So much better ride after replacing them.

 

I replaced mine with Bilstiens at 15,000 miles and the stock shocks were junk. Bilstiens make a huge difference in ride quality and handling and will help save our ball joints too.

 

The ride will get even better as the shocks wear in. I put Bilstien silvers on my 2002 Duramax (Ford F250 shocks in the front and Dodge 2500 shocks in the rear). The ride was firm but controlled. It smoothed out after about 2 months.

 

Thanks for the feed back. I am in need of new shocks, but have to wait for warmer weather and my check from Uncle Sam. I am going to be installing a leveling kit as well.

 

I have a 99 F350 2WD I just bought, and the shocks on it are rusted to death. I assume they're useless, though coming up from a half ton to a one ton, I can't relate to just how smooth the ride OUGHT to be.

Sooooo, what am I looking for as I go shock hunting? This is just a work truck, and it doesn't need anything more than what's necessary. Thanks!

 

A work truck should have a shock with higher damping rate to control things when the truck is loaded up with weight. The Bilstiens are tuned for loads but they do cost plenty.

I know I've seen some pretty good threads in the past comparing shocks. A quick search in this forum will probably reveal more information then you will get from the replies in this thread.