Ok, so here's the test I performed for my own piece of mind on my 350 with 7,000 miles on it. I drove down my street last week 3 days with no coffee cup lid on my coffee (of coarse a towel under it) doing 35mph. My coffee spilled out 3 times in the exact same spot each day. Over the weekend I replaced my shocks with Bilstein and performed the same test this week and to my surprise my coffee spilled 4 times in all the same spots. So whats up with that?? I thought with the Bilsteins it would not spill at all!!! I am really confused after spending all that money on shocks and coffee. Do the new shocks have to wear in or something?? How do we tell otherwise which shocks are actually better?? Confused!! Maybe I should have let my stock shocks wear out a little more. Up for debate!!

 

aftermarket shocks may have a firmer ride. So when you hit a bump, you may be getting a hard "shock" to the coffee cup which makes it spill. A mushy shock may cushion the coffee so it doesn't slop.

A modern shock absorber usually doesn't wear out until it is near 100K miles so your stock shocks were probably in excellent condition but had a softer ride.

Most of the time, it seems people buy aftermarket shocks for a firmer ride or better handling or better load handling or or or. Stock is usually better if you want a smoother ride, at least smooth for a 250.

On further reading, it looks like you did some mods to your suspension. They look like they would definitely make for a harsher ride, especially the Red Sox decal ;^)

Just my opinion,

Jim Henderson

 

I recommend letting some air out of the tires. More pressure is good for gas mileage, but truck tires are made to handle weight. Letting some out will help a lot with ride quality. If you plan on adding weight, just make sure you air up first.

 

Bilstiens are a heavy duty shock made for trucks that carry weight, they are way stiffer than a normal shock. Next time try some regular gas shocks. The stock ones that came on my '08 250 rode real smooth, is your truck a 4x4?

 

I purchased Pro Comp MX-6 Shocks that are adjustable. I keep them set about 1/2 way all the time. The best ride of any shock I have ever owned. I did not want to let air out of my tires to improve the ride and loose MPG. The shocks are about 2 years old and 30,000 miles and they are like new. Much better ride than stock. I am very impressed with the shocks.

 

This never surprises me. A lot of people who say Bilstein shocks make their trucks ride "better" really mean, "it rides firmer."

Some like a firm ride. But I usually pick out the softest shocks I can find when I have to replace shocks. Last time, I even pulled the sway bars off and trashed them. That'll really make the front end flex! (but lean more in turns)

 

Stock Shocks SUCK. I relaced mine at 45K and the stockers were shot, I could compress the fronts with a few fingers and they wouldnt rebound at all. Get a set of Bilstein HD's and be done with it... www.shockwarehouse.com

 

Note that at least Bilsteins (and maybe other "high end" shocks) have something of a break-in period. At least that's what previous experience with them in other vehicles has shown... Give 'em 6 months... they'll "soften up" a little and then you'll never have to touch 'em again, unless they're physically damaged.

-blaine

 

+1 for the "break in" my HD's rode really firm after I first put them on, but now I've got some time on them and they ride awesome.

 

"Go Bo Sox"

 

Put a lid on the coffee cup.

Either that, or buy a Mercury Monarch. And keep the towel under the coffee cup.

 

I and everybody that rode in my truck noticed a difference in ride quality when I put the Bilsteins in my truck. It got even better when I replaced the stock conti crap tires.

 

I got a 2008 f350 crew cab long bed 4x4 XLT with 87000 miles on it. I just bought the Rancho RS9000XL 9 way adjustable shocks & plan to install them this weekend or next weekend. I will report the difference in ride comfort, mainly on the i-5 corridor where concrete expansion joints are. Thats the bounciest ride ever. even with canopy and ladder rack which i think weighs a combined weight of at least 500 pounds or more on the long bed. Also plan installing Rancho steering stabilizer next payday. I'll let everyone know the ride improvements after the install. peace.

 

Yep, those concrete roads will let you know when you need new shocks, most of the roads down here are 100% concrete.