Oh yeah, in case you're wondering, I have a FX4 Supercab 6.5' bed with 35.7 gallon gas tank.

Jake

 

I really like the ride of my truck for the most part, but I don't think the rear shocks have any damping. On some G-out type dips it feels like a pogo stick in the back. I think there is enough weight on the front to mask it but they probably aren't any better.
I think a good set of shocks would go a long way.
Oh mine seems to ride better with a load, but I haven't towed a heavy trailer yet, only loaded the bed and pulled a motorcycle trailer but tows pretty good.

Scott

 

Yeah, that's pretty much exactly what I'll be hauling.

Probably going to buy a new enclosed trailer tomorrow.

I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for aftermarket shocks, too. I already checked the Edelbrock site and there's nothing listed yet for 2004.

I would've thought that shocks would be somewhat universal. You know, a certain length, amount of travel, and damping rates.

When I hadn't heard anyone else complaining about the shocks, I was kind of wondering if maybe I'm just too sensitive to that sort of thing from riding sportbikes, doing track days and adjusting suspension.

Jake

 

There you go, another one besides myself.

I liken it to modifying a set of plain-old cartridge forks with a Gold Valve.

The OEM Ford shocks feel to me like "old-school" design, and experience hydraulic lock coupled with maximum stiction.

I did email Monroe yesterday looking for advice. You do the same on this page

 

I have had a dampener and new shocks put on the truck to try and fix the "rebounce " problem. To no effect. All the service tech (four of them) that have test driven with me ackkowledge the problem. However when they contact the Ford engineers 2000 miles away they say its a normal inherent condition of the vehicle enen though they havent ever driven the vehicle. I became so frustrated with Ford that I filed a Lemon Law, lawsuit against them in the beginning of April.

Ill let you guys know how it turns out.

 

mike...I'm sure several of us will be watching your case involving the 'afterbounce' (your dealer's term) problem. From your description of the issue, it may be related to the 'bed-shake' and other suspension compliance problems reported by some, including my XLT Screw. The only caveat I can see in this matter is that in order for an owner to prevail, it must be shown that the problem "substantially impairs the use, value, and safety" of the vehicle (?) and can be corrected in conformance of items "covered by warranty" (?).

Good luck...keep us posted.

 

I am an engineer myself, though electronics and communications are my majors.

On the same token I own a company that "tunes" Mercedes Benz automobiles and I am familiar with suspension designs, ranging from the shock-spring design, to the more complicated ABC and Airmatic systems that are electronically controlled.

I had a 2004 STX purchased back in October. By its first day with me, I had major complaints about how the shocks were so substandard. I immediately attributed the problem to the shock valving and overall design, where the shock units themselves does not have enough dampening for the spring rates that the coil and leaf springs have.

I looked into BILSTEIN and was told that they have not come out with one (even to date). I also checked and bought the HD (heavy duty) version that Ford offers (www.fordparts.com) but also to no avail... same thing.

I have an order for the H&R Cup Kit (spring-shock lowering kit) for the F150 as seen in last year's SEMA, but have not seen it since I ordered it 4 months ago. I was considering using the shock units on this kit which are supposed to be stiffer.

Nonetheless, it is to my strong belief that the shocks are the reason for oscillation, bounce, shake and ride comfort issues on the 2004 F150. Replacing the shocks with better ones like Bilstein should take away all these problems.