First off hi yall, long time lurker, finally dropping a line...
My 2002 FX4 has 223000 miles on the clock & the shocks have never been replaced... Seems like every one is saying they go bad in 50k, mine seem OK though, I did the bounce test, seem pretty stiff but can they really last 200000 miles? I'm ready to put new ones on just cause of what yall say but it certainly don't seem like I need em...

 

I also have a 03 3.2TL Type S with 189000 miles on original shocks...the front strut just started making the clucking sound over bumps....my shocks are lasting or is there something I'm missing?

 

My 02 FX4 rode harder than I wanted, so I replaced my Rancho shocks with Monroe gas shocks at about 105k miles. The Monroes are supposed to have softer valving in the normal riding range. The ride was just a little softer. Can the Ranchos last a long time. I think so. If you like the ride and the truck doesn't bounce, keep on trucking!

 

Rancho shocks dont come stock so somebody changed them at some point. I replaced my stock shocks at 100k with Bilstiens. The stockers were definitely shot. The bilstiens are a little to stiff but I live with it.

 

On some Fx4 models they did come stock with rancho shocks

 

That's what I was thinking, makes me feel better...it seems to ride as it should...my uncle has the exact same truck in SuperCrew form and he has not changed his factory Rancho shocks...thanks...

 

Worn shock don't really hurt anything, so screw it if you're happy with the ride.

 

The difference in the ride between the Ranchos and the Monroes wasn't much. I would not have spent the money if I had known how little difference they would make. The Ranchos were working fine. About the same time I replaced the Dunlop stock size tires with Michelins and the Michelins gave a little more velvety ride. Between the two changes, I did like the ride better.

 

Oh OK, wasn't really sure how to approach it as everyone says they must be shot by now but they seem as stiff as day one....I was only concerned b/c it looks like the rear of my truck is a little lower than it should be, can't really tell but I'm thinking a little sag as the front is just as high as the rear w/o leveling... Do bad shocks put excessive stress on the springs or affect ride height?

 

Shocks dont lift really. Thats all spring. I bet you would be "shocked" at how worn out they are if you compared them with new ones. .. Noothing lasts forever and some parts like shocks are so cheap its just dumb not to replace them.

 

Haha, nice one...You're right Rancho RS5000 are only 56 bucks per, that's just one good weekend of beer drinking...I just never replaced a shock on any of the vehicles I've owned throughout the years...but I will soon...still wonder why my truck seems lower that stock height, might be in my mind..

 

Your springs are worn, it happens with that kind of miles. And the more you use the bed and the more weight you put in their the faster those leafs springs sag. I bet if you look closer or go take a tape measure you'll notice the side with the gas tank is lower than the side without it too in the rear.

 

I changed the OEM shocks on my 97 F150 at around 70k miles and it was a night and day difference.

I got some "Mountain Ryder" shocks from Les Schwab. They are a 'road sensing' type of shock so it's soft when needed and firm when needed.. All I know is after I got them, I could take speed bumps without having to crawl over them and it would just 'float' over them.. Pot holes in the road would just get sucked up by them too.

Ran those for over 12 years and some 185k miles. Started to notice they were not working as well over the bumps... Took them back to the same Les Schwab that installed them, laid down the old paperwork and said I wanted the same shocks, they took the keys and about an hour or so later it had the new shocks on it.. Went to 'check out' and pulled out my CC and they hand me the paperwork and say "no charge.. They have a life time warranty and they were shot.."

Well, that surprised the heck out of me.. I could tell a big difference just pulling out of the parking lot that the ride was much better.

That's just my experience with it...

Good luck!

Mitch

 

Wow...OK, leafs are gone, makes sense...hauled hundreds of pounds off seed & various farming supplies for many years...new leafs are in order...

Those sound like interesting (see, expensive) shocks... I'll give them a read, want the truck to ride as it should, firm ride is OK with me, I was thinking the RS5000 may be a step better than the factory "Rancho" shocks....next step figure out if my shuddering is a misfire or the TC...leaning toward TC as it stops when overdrive is turned off...transmission might be dieing its got mucho miles and has been worked...with all that my truck is still 8/10 cosmetically..

 

I wouldnt think TC with out knowing for sure it has no missfire. Have the engine scaned with a good scanner capable of seeing missfire counts. When it comes to that you always want to eleminate missfires first.