D_Hawk,

what kind of shocks, Bilsteins?

how does your steering feel like now with new shocks?

"truck rides firmer" would you also say a better ride? overall, are you pleased? i think i want to make the Bilstein upgrade

 

Yes, they are bilsteins. Picked them up off eshocks.com for $65 apiece with free shipping. Steering is smooth and vibration free. When I first got the truck I had a slight side to side motion in the steering wheel. Replaced the stock 235/80-17 hankooks with 285/70-17 bgf at and the side to side motion disapeared. And this was with walmart doing the balancing (no road force balancing). Additonally I had a vibration I felt in the seat at ~45 - 55 mph, with bilsteins installed this is gone also. Don't get me wrong I never had symptoms as bad as some of the people on here have and even now there is a slight resonance from the tires on rought pavement. But this is just the nature of the beast I think. I am very pleased with the shocks, I have no idea what the jounce and rebound numbers are for stock verses bilstein but they are definatly an improvement. Also I am not saing they are a cure all but they definately helped in my case. If you need some install tips or want to purchace some slightly used coil compressors let me know.

 

Are the coil compressors something needed only for 4wd front ends? I've changed shocks on many vehicles over the years and have never needed a spring compressor to do it. Typically I can just jack up the vehicle by the frame so the axle hangs at full extension and then just unbolt the shock.

 

That is true on the 97-03 f150 but the 04-up f150 use a coil on shock design, In theory you could disassemble the shock without a coil compressor but you would never get it back together and would probably be seriously injured or killed in the process.

 

Bilstein, is great! I had 5100 on my jeep in past and loved it!!

Bilstein is on my first list...need money- any one want to make a donation to me eh?

Just in case you guys didnt know...Autozone offer free loan spring compressor.

YOMAN!

 

D_Hawk,

Thanks for the info. Your truck seems to have driven exactly as mine does. Not the vibration problems talked so much about here, but a little jittery at times. I've been thinking that Bilsteins might adjust the ride and drive a little closer to my driving taste. You have helped me confirm that. I think I will order four soon. I may email you for installation tips.

How long did it take you to get them once you placed your order?

WAY OFF TOPIC: D_Hawk, are you a UT grad? me, BS & MA from UA 1997,1999. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

 

YOMAN, the spring compressors from auto zone are for a max coil diameter of .625 inches, the safety pins would not go over the coil and they did not seat the coil completely. You could probably make it work but it is an unnecisary risk in my opinion.


1brannon1, the shocks took 3 days to get from michigan to tennessee using the free shipping (UPS ground). For directions and torque specs I printed off the donahoe racing coil spacer install directions. I actually got my BSCE from UT - Chattanooga in 2000, but I'll probably get my masters degree in civil engr. from UT starting this fall, if I can manage my work schedule around it.

 

I am new to trucks.. I just got an 05 4x4 .. it rides great. I am not big on doing a lot of mods, but I would definately think about this if it meant a noticeable difference..... and help me out here boys.. where would you exactly feel the difference? off road? on the drive to and from work every life sucking day?