Shocks, shocks and more shocks
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: philly
Shocks, shocks and more shocks
Ladies & Gents
Shocks, shocks and more shocks... Yup, it's time to replace the shocks on my 04 f150 fx4x4. Now, it's stock no lift/level kit. The most off-roading is the occasional trip to the Jersey beach for some fishing and having to park it on a job site. So, I'm looking for something normal, nothing stiff and/or agressive. I saw the ad placed by the warehouse guys but have the faintest idea as to which ones to go with. As always, any/all replies are greatly appreciated.
Thx...
Shocks, shocks and more shocks... Yup, it's time to replace the shocks on my 04 f150 fx4x4. Now, it's stock no lift/level kit. The most off-roading is the occasional trip to the Jersey beach for some fishing and having to park it on a job site. So, I'm looking for something normal, nothing stiff and/or agressive. I saw the ad placed by the warehouse guys but have the faintest idea as to which ones to go with. As always, any/all replies are greatly appreciated.
Thx...
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
I personally say use OEM...or Monroe
alot of guys swear by the Bilstein struts. To me, it's a truck, and a rough ride is expected...or maybe I'm just a cheapie
OEM Parts & OEM Wheels - Original Equipment Parts from NewTakeOff
they occasionally have brand new struts for sale that are OEM for about $30-40 each
alot of guys swear by the Bilstein struts. To me, it's a truck, and a rough ride is expected...or maybe I'm just a cheapie
OEM Parts & OEM Wheels - Original Equipment Parts from NewTakeOff
they occasionally have brand new struts for sale that are OEM for about $30-40 each
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
I have an 07 XLT and also thinking about replacing the shocks. My ex-F150 (1997) had Reflex Monreo shocks all around. The shocks were firm but not stiff. I love them for the first few years then they started to get soft. I don't mind to use the Reflex again in my new F150.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,195
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From: Sunapee NH
Sounds like you could visit your local repair shop and have them just change them out with an OE replacement or visit NAPA and do the job yourself. Even those will feel firm compared to your stock shocks/struts.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Texas
I have an 07 XLT and also thinking about replacing the shocks. My ex-F150 (1997) had Reflex Monreo shocks all around. The shocks were firm but not stiff. I love them for the first few years then they started to get soft. I don't mind to use the Reflex again in my new F150.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 604
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From: Inman KS
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
I don't think there is a fixed schedule to change the shocks. However, they do get soft SLOWLY and my butt get use to that easily. Some people say to bounce the truck body and count the number of spring back. I find that it is unreliable. My habit is to change the OEM out around 3-4 years. My last set of Monreo Reflex lasted about 7 years and stayed with the old truck when traded in for the new one.
As for Monreo's life time warranty, I think it only covers material failure such as seal damages, leak oils, broken shaft etc. I don't know they will cover it if you say they are getting soft. May be some one works in Auto parts can verify this.
The above opinions are just my 2 cents.
As for Monreo's life time warranty, I think it only covers material failure such as seal damages, leak oils, broken shaft etc. I don't know they will cover it if you say they are getting soft. May be some one works in Auto parts can verify this.
The above opinions are just my 2 cents.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 574
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im going to buy a set of the new fox race shox cuz its the closest i will ever come to my dream of a SVT raptor
but if i was going to get anything else i would go KYB
i use them on my race cars my race bikes and all my old trucks including all 3 of my 90's trucks and my 250 work truck.
there cheap and work good.
but if i was going to get anything else i would go KYB
i use them on my race cars my race bikes and all my old trucks including all 3 of my 90's trucks and my 250 work truck.
there cheap and work good.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
bad or oldish shocks let the truck wallow more and you'll get more bounces
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,103
Likes: 383
From: Southern California
Shock Recommendations IMHO:
1) Koni- Excellent for racing applications- overpriced for street applications
2) Tokico & Bilstein- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running very stiff tires on the street (such as Bridgstone that are 100% steel belted or tires with profiles shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra give that you need for both comfort & stability
3) KYB- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running a softer tires on the street (such as BFG that are a mix of steel & nylon belted or tires with profiles not shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra stiffness that you need for both comfort & stability. The GR-2’s are the equivalent to the Edelbrock IAS automatic adjusting units. Overall, stiffness between the Gas-a-just and the GR2’s are the same, the difference is the GR-2's valving which stiffens things up from a oem setting to that of the Gas-a-just units.. Best shock for the $/best price typically found at Performance Suspension Technologies (PST) and typically about 1/3 less than Bilstein.
4) Gabriel- A very nice good quality HD OEM replacement type unit.
1) Koni- Excellent for racing applications- overpriced for street applications
2) Tokico & Bilstein- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running very stiff tires on the street (such as Bridgstone that are 100% steel belted or tires with profiles shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra give that you need for both comfort & stability
3) KYB- A very good shock for street/strip applications. If you are running a softer tires on the street (such as BFG that are a mix of steel & nylon belted or tires with profiles not shorter than 50 series), these provide the extra stiffness that you need for both comfort & stability. The GR-2’s are the equivalent to the Edelbrock IAS automatic adjusting units. Overall, stiffness between the Gas-a-just and the GR2’s are the same, the difference is the GR-2's valving which stiffens things up from a oem setting to that of the Gas-a-just units.. Best shock for the $/best price typically found at Performance Suspension Technologies (PST) and typically about 1/3 less than Bilstein.
4) Gabriel- A very nice good quality HD OEM replacement type unit.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 171
Likes: 2
Was just looking for what other guys with the same heavy front end were doing with their shocks? I don't see a problem with asking, I went with Bilsteins and they are a huge imlroimprov over Napa fleet. Truck is 03
