Hey everyone I wanted to give you all a heads up on an issue I have and you may have as well.

I took my truck in this weekend for service due to the front end bouncing all around; it basically felt as if there were no shocks on the front axle. I would hit a bump driving down the freeway and the truck and axle would shake and I would end up a foot or two over in the lane. Also when I would drive over bumps, like going into my driveway the front of the truck would bounce and bounce and bounce.

I only have 1600 miles on my truck and this being my forth 350 I could tell something was wrong with the front end. Well my service guy called me on Wednesday and said both front shocks were blown and he was trying to get me new shocks. I just got off the phone with him today (Thursday) and he stated that a new TSB has gone out today on the issue and what has apparently occurred was that a weld on the shock was only tack welded and this is basically causing the shock to not function at all. Rancho is aware of the problem and they are correcting the issue, but there are no replacement shocks available.

Here is where it gets fun. Since they have no replacement shocks at this time and I was told Rancho has not even started production on replacement shocks for these trucks yet, the earliest that my dealer may get a replacement for the front shocks it late next week. That means at least two weeks without my truck over front shock issues, maybe even longer.

The only problem I have now is that I am leaving for a three week trip with my truck on Saturday. My service guy is going to the owner and finding out if he can assist in some way, this is BS that a shock issue can take so long to resolve.

 

Put bilstiens in it. You talk about Rancho's but the last fx4 I had they had a rancho sticker on it but it was a ford shock with a motercraft part number on it. I think they called it Rancho branded shocks.

 

I think you are right, they are just rancho branded shocks. I just talked to my service advisor and he said the owner said to pull shocks off a new truck and get me my truck, so I get my truck back tomorrow.

 

"That Sux" My front end is bouncy also when you go over a bump, but I don't think that my shocks are bad. I read an early review of the 11 and they stated the same issue. I will eventually replace the stock shocks anyway.

 

Well that blows. Maybe time to see if Bilstein, ARB (Old Man Emu), or Ohlins have something for your truck. None of the premium shocks will be cheap, but you get what you pay for in suspension components just like most other things in life.

 

Tell the dealer to buy the bilsteins if available or supply a loaner truck or take a set off of a lot truck. Should be their problem not yours.

 

What he said. If you tow things and are going on a trip, get the Bilstiens and don't look back. Remember, you will probably be doubling the rolling weight of your truck and compounding every move you make. Get the heaviest duty shock you can find and life will be better. This opinion of mine is based on personal experience so I swear by it and hope that you have safe travels.