Well I FINALLY found the time to install the Monroe Reflex's on the back of my Lariat SCab. I got them over a month ago at Pep Boys for $100.00 + tax.

In short, they are everything I was looking for...at least per my limited test drive. The freeways are jammed around me today so I will have a better test on Monday.

These shocks seem very smooth and quick, yet not harsh at all. Going into corners it almost feels like the truck is twisting. The front end pushes away from the curve, as usual, but the rear seems to stay much more planted an flat. The few woopsy-doos that I hit at 40 MPH were much more controlled. Even braking with only the rear shocks seems to be more flat with less front end dive, or maybe less rear end lift (moderate braking, no panic stops).
The biggest surprise, yet exactly what I was hoping for, is the lack of harshness over concrete cracks. washboard and uneven joints. Previous Bilsteins I have had always seemed to accentuate this type of bump, at least some what. But now the front tires go over the bump and then when the rears hit the same bump it very much feels like the bump has been either shaved or filled to half height AND bevelled on the edges. This provides a very compliant ride from the rear of the truck.

For now I would have to give some serious bananas to these shocks. For a street runner like myself I'd have to say they are REALLY THE ticket for a great combination of comfort and control. The ride is so much smoother from the rear now. It is almost like the back of the truck got transplanted with something else. The one thing I can not yet comment on is how these perform at speed and with a load. Hopefully after Monday I can at least comment on their performance at highway speeds. I'll be driving the US 101 and I-5 here in So Cal...so if that aint a test, I don't know what is.

Again, if you are not happy with your current shocks, and don't have some specific requirements which I can't speak to, I'd say GO GET THESE!! They are really quite a pleasant surprise, so far. I'll report more as soon as I can.

 

I am pretty happy with my shocks on my Fx4 they corner and perform quite well. they handle the bigger bumps like pot holes and speed bumps or railroad tracks vary well. the only down side is you can feel the smaller bumps and cracks in the road. I guess this is because it is a fx4 with stiffer shocks. I have heard the lariats have a softer rideing shocks. I would think they would perform just the oposite. better with the smaller bumps and not so good with the bigger. it would be nice to find something that is the best of both worlds but I am not so sure there is such a thing.
also remember it is normal to feel the the bumps in the road more in the front than in the rear as it is more under you and there is alot more weight up front. so are you planning on putting them on the front or do they make them for the front yet. I think you are the first one I seen on here that didn't like the ride of the lariat shocks.

 

Hi les017, glad you got them on. What kind of price did they want for the fronts?
Chris

 

im curious too, always looking for some good street shocks

 

I'll have to call again, since they were not QUITE available when I bought the rears.

 

well, Pep Boys lists the Monroe Reflex part # for the fronts...but they do not show them as available yet. Sigh...

 

Reflex on my '02 Lariat and on my '94 Ranger. When I bought the Lariat, I was shocked at how harsh the ride was on my local roads. Within 2 weeks I had 4 new Reflex shocks on the truck and it completely transformed the ride. Pavement cracks and small stutter bumps practically disappeared. Cornering and spirited driving are very controlled and responsive, and my Lariat actually rides like a luxury vehicle when cruising.

$160 for all four shocks at the local parts store, including taxes. I guess the new 'improved' design on the '05 is somewhat more expensive.

 

yeah, that's what I said...except in about a thousand more words

 

Quick update - went and did some Hwy 60 cruising this morning. This is a pretty well beat up highway and the Reflex on the back made a HUGE difference. Also went into the local hills a bit at some higher speeds and comfirmed what I felt yesterday...that even just replacing the rear shocks has made a vast improvement in handling.
I really am looking forward to getting the front struts installed.
What a difference.

 

I have been doing a little research into shocks. and those monro's do look like a good shock but my research also lead me to the edelbrock shocks which look like tha best shock overall but they cost like nearly twice as much. oh and I did find a place online that sells those monro reflexes for our trucks front and back. the fronts are 88 bucks a piece and the backs are 44 bucks a piece. just in case you are interested here is a link.
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/shocks/search.html

unfortunately I couldn't find any edelbrock shocks for our trucks but I did email edelbrock to ask if they are makeing or developeing any for our trucks. I should know later ithis week.

 

I talked to Edelbrock Friday (like I have done every Friday for the past 3 months ) and they STILL claim no development is going on for the new F150.

I was also waiting for the Edelbrocks with great anticipation...but got tired and went with the Reflex. Beauty!!

 

Finally had Reflex put on the fronts - local Firestone installed them for $220 out the door. Man even better than when I did the rears. People that haven't ridden with me for a few months immediately comment on how tight the truck feels. The difference is huge.

Of all the vehicles I've had over the years, these Reflex shocks on the F-150 have given me the best single improvement in "overall" ride satisfaction. They are such a great combination of reasonable performance, comfort and control. I'm usually loathe to tout a product that I like, since I know it may not be for everyone. But I'll recommendthese to anyone that'll listen!!

 

Got any pics of the shocks?

 

Which part number of the Reflex's did you get for the fronts and rears? I have a 2004 FX4 also, and there seems to be multiple versions.

 

Just replaced my stock (rear) shocks @ 61,000 miles with Bilsteins. Too bad they were not the choice of Ford when the truck was assembled. Excellent shock, and work well in unison with the anti-sway bar. They have pleased me so much that I am going to install 4 Bilstein struts on the wifes S type Jag.
And will install their struts on the front of my truck very soon...