I got my Bilstiens installed Sunday and it made such a difference. At 76,600 miles I still had the factory units in there. The fronts were still good but the rears were shot. I just decided to replace all four and call it good. I went with the heavy duty models because I have a stock suspension truck. They went in easy and they make a huge difference. My friend that helped me install them put Monroes on his super duty. He said the Bilstiens were a better ride in mine and the Monroes cost too much in comparison. I would recommend them to anybody.

 

Congrats on the install. I'll be putting them on my ride when funds become more available. I'll be getting 6 of the 5100's (I think thats them).

 

Cool deal, my fronts were bad and the backs wern't to far behind at about the same mileage as yours, great investment with these trucks, enjoy the ride....

 

I really like the Bilsteins as well. I like how they ride and how they look.

 

Where is the best place to buy them ?

 

Perhaps I made a mistake last year. I put monroes on my 02 in an attempt to soften up the ride a little. It had the originals still on it, so I installed the sensatrack from monroe. Would the bilsteins soften up the ride more?

 

Jeff- Congrats on the install- Mine had the Monroes on it when I bought it . Kinda looking forward to whenever they crap out , hear so much good about the bilsteins.

 

I know the HDs are for stock height but if you put a leveling kit on do you have to upgrade to the 5100s?

 

No you dont need to use the 5100's with a leveling kit.

 

How can you tell when the shocks are going? I know on a car you can bounce the corner, but it's not quite that easy on our rigs? I've got 177K and am running the OEM Rancho "branded" shocks. I've only had the truck 1 1/2 years and have no idea if the previous owner had the shocks replaced or not. Are there any telltale signs that a shock is dying? The truck rides like a 4 ton truck, turns like a 4 ton truck and rides down the highway bouncing me around (empty) like it can tow 5 tons. There are no unusual vibrations and the tires are wearing normally (nothing uneven or feathered).

I'm sure if I put on some Bilsteins I would think my old ones were shot.

Thanks for any info.

 

mjtpolice76- I got mine at Autozone, they price match any printed price off the internet or from a competitor and they can normally get them for you in two days.


brian42- my rear shocks were leaking. Another indicator is if you get alot of travel when hitting small bumps, the shocks don't react, they just slop up and down. You will notice the difference instantly with the Bilstiens-- you'll have a smile and a truck that feels like you control it, not it controling you!!

 

We have a new site sponsor, TruckSprings.com Timbren, Hellwig Helper Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Firestone, Air Spring Kits, Mile Marker Winch . I have shopped with them before and they seem to be good folks. They were offering FTE members a discount and may still honor it if you ask. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...r-hellwig.html

I talked to Marc at TruckSprings and he checked with Bilstein who told him that this month they are making a shock just for our trucks with leveling kits. The HD's will work, but the new ones are made for the 1.5 to 2.5 lifts on the front. And the cool part is they come in silver! Not sure when, but this month is when they were supposed to come in. Marc is supposed to let me know and get mine shipped.

 

Unless your shocks are seized up and don't compress new ones might not make much difference if your truck rides like a 4 ton truck. My F350 rides the same way - empty. Put 1000# of weight back there and see how it feels, use something that won't go flying in a crash like sandbags. Mine rides great with 4000# of cargo, just like a car. With 1000# it's not bad, empty the truck gets stuck in a mud puddle.

 

That's alot of weight
What are you hauling around back there?