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Looking into getting new shocks for my 2024 F250 SCSB 4x4 gas with camper package. Stock height and tire size. Truck is driven 80% with no load, rest of time towing under 8k lbs bumper pull TT trailer or future 2500lb camper. As I'm getting older with some back issues, I'm looking for better shocks to help soften the impacts from our unmaintained roadways. Not expecting a cadillac ride and already run unloaded tire pressure @55lbs. Was looking into Rancho RS7MT or the RS9000XL that is adjustable and might help when towing or carrying camper ? Looked into the Bilstein's, but from what I have read up about them is my ride would be stiffer and not what I want for most use. Looking for recent real world results........ thanks
I can only comment on the Bilstein 5100's. I would say the bumps feel about the same as when stock, however, when I hit the bumps now the truck is much more planted and stable feeling. The truck doesn't bounce around like before, and overall I feel like I have more control of the truck. To me, this ultimately feels more comfortable, but it's definitely not plush like a Cadillac! Some say the Fox 2.0's feel a little more plush, but I can't say for sure. You may want to look into getting some progressive springs, such as some from Carli. You could also likely go with slightly lower tire pressure too.
Rancho adjustables are handy for their adjustment, they don't help the bouncy ride, due to unsophisticated damping profiles, which doesn't control rebound damping correctly. I took them off after a couple months.
Basic Fox 2.0's seem to be the best lower price option that completely settled down the ride on my previous 2024 gas F250. Honestly amazing equipment they are. The effect was much less substantial on my 2025 Diesel, but it rode mostly fine bone stock, unlike my previous gas truck.
Bilstein 5100's are noticeably stiffer than stock, with vastly better motion control, but nowhere near as plush as the Fox shocks. For max capacity hauling they would certainly have and edge, the rest of the time you just feel the edge.
Last edited by Isthatahemi; Mar 4, 2026 at 09:09 AM.
I have a 2019 F250 SCSB FX4 gas with snowplow spring package. I replaced the shocks with Fox 2.5s and am very happy. The truck is firm, planted, controlled, no body roll, no bump steer, small sharp bumps are still felt but now smoothed out like softer bumps. Big bumps is even better because the truck doesn't hit the bump stops now. When we get a thaw our roads go from smooth plowed ice snow pack to a completely rutted pot hole horrible surface. I can travel a little faster now on this broken surface than before and the truck is smoother and not bucking or skipping or bouncing like it used to. I cheat a little and keep the tire pressure at 55/40 unloaded, but I always did that so the shocks are a big improvement. I will buy the Fox 2.5s again for sure.
I think it's a big jump in price between Bilstein 5100 ($450) and Fox 2.0's ($900+). Those 2.5's... that's a huge jump in price... $3,500! For that amount they should be nothing but game changers in all aspects!
I replaced the shocks on my 2024 Super Duty - F-250, Lariat, SB, SC, 7.3 (with camper pkg) - with Rancho:
RS55042 & RS55047A. I was looking to do exactly as you are looking to do, and the Rancho's did the job. I also run 50-55 psi front to rear. I considered the adjustable Rancho shocks, but, as much as their adjustability appealed to me, I was prpbablyt NOT going to crawl under my truck to mess with the adjusters everytime I changed from unloaded, to loaded, to towing etc ..... Rancho shocks don't get much "love" on this site, but, they work, have a warranty, are priced competitively and will likely last for as long as I own this truck.
I think it's a big jump in price between Bilstein 5100 ($450) and Fox 2.0's ($900+). Those 2.5's... that's a huge jump in price... $3,500! For that amount they should be nothing but game changers in all aspects!
That $3500 Fox 2.5 price is for Fox 2.5s with the extra external reservoirs. I just checked at Tire Rack, Fox 2.5 non resi shows $281 each so $1124 for four Fox 2.5 non reservoirs shocks. Shock reservoirs are really only worth it for continuous prolonged torture.
That $3500 Fox 2.5 price is for Fox 2.5s with the extra external reservoirs. I just checked at Tire Rack, Fox 2.5 non resi shows $281 each so $1124 for four Fox 2.5 non reservoirs shocks. Shock reservoirs are really only worth it for continuous prolonged torture.
Aaahhh... I see a set of 4 non-resin 2.5's for my truck is $1387 on Shocks Surplus. A note popped up when going to Shocks Surplus saying that if you enter your email you could save up to $350 on Fox shocks. I imagine that amount would apply to the top tier shocks, but you would also save some on the 2.0 and 2.5's, probably putting it in line with the prices you saw. I will give a shout out for Shock Surplus too though. I got my Bilsteins's from them and they shipped very fast and with no issues. They weren't significantly cheaper than other sites, but they weren't any higher either. I also added a steering stabilizer when I did mine.
I have replied here before about my experience with truck shocks heating, and it is worth repeating. Heat build-up is the enemy of shock performance. Shocks heating up basically causes the shock fluid to thin out and reduces shock dampening ability (any engineers correct my simple explanation). There is a five mile stretch of dirt road I regularly take where I usually drive approximately 25-30 mph at most and avoid any potholes and large rocks and slow for the eroded runoff crossings. When my truck had the original FX4 shocks, one time after four miles on this dirt road, it popped into my thoughts, I wondered how warm my truck shocks were. I stopped and felt my truck shocks, and all four shocks felt surprisingly very warm. After we put Fox 2.5s on my buddy's 21 F250, we were doing the test drive on this same stretch of dirt road and after five miles of him driving faster 35-40 and hitting all the potholes he could on purpose, we stopped and checked and all four Fox 2.5s felt amazingly completely cool. Completely cool.
They make those stock shocks as cheaply as possible. Almost any is probably an improvement! Doesn’t matter if it’s the basic shock, an FX4 shock or even a Tremor shock.
The basic Fox 2.0 looks like it might be a good option to look at and the 2.5 looks like a great shock but stiffer and not needed/wanted for my purpose. Would still like to hear more from some current Rancho shock owners before deciding. Appreciate all input and experiences.
That $3500 Fox 2.5 price is for Fox 2.5s with the extra external reservoirs. I just checked at Tire Rack, Fox 2.5 non resi shows $281 each so $1124 for four Fox 2.5 non reservoirs shocks. Shock reservoirs are really only worth it for continuous prolonged torture.
2.0's work fine and are probably what the OP seeks based on wanting a softer ride
2.5 are generally a waste of money, unless youre also willing to optimize your wheels,tires, springs, swaybars, and bump stops.
All true. I got suckered by the supposed value / feature balance on the Ranchos. Cheap junk, no one would pay buy them if they cost the same as the fox shocks, it's 100% a cheapness driven choice. The rebound damping is pathetic.
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