I posted about broken front coil springs on my 2004 4x4 Lariat a while back and received some advice.

I'm now ready to replace them but looks like a lot of people out there with same broken coil springs due to manufacturer defect (as I understand it). The question is: Do I purchase the original equipment part from Ford or is there an upgrade to these defective coils? Does anyone know if Ford improved the coils? what other coild can be used for the truck?

I was also advised to replace the front shocks as well with the coils. Had done some research at the F-150 forums and looks like a lot fellow owners are going with the Bilsteins. Can someone recommend either the 4600 or the 5100 series? I drive mainly on road and some off road and I am open to raising the front to level the truck.

 

I would consider going with the Rancho Quicklift "Loaded" set which come with the spring already installed on the shock. The shocks are R9000XLS which are adjustable. Finally, you can get them at the 2" lift setting which will lift the front end to bring it more level with the rear. Win/win all the way around plus they're a breeze to install.

 

So far, I have been getting recommendations for the Rancho's Quicklift and the Monroe's Quickstrut. Do you think they are similar in ride quality as the original ride quality or better?
I ride mostly on road and really enjoyed the smoothness of the truck when it was new. Do you think I can restore my truck to that new state with the above 2 applications. I hear people say that anything you put in aftermarket would be better than the stock truck.

 

Bilstein 5100's is the only way to go IMO.

as for restoring to new with just a new coil over assembly? no. if you haven't done your ball joints i'd do those as well and you'd get pretty damn close to it.

 

I had them and they were a little too harsh for my taste, especially the rear end when unloaded. I had to air down the rear tires to keep the back end under control. After having adjustable shocks, I don't think I would put anything else on my truck. Now if Bilstein made an adjustable shock, now you're talking.

OP, whether you go with Bilstein, Monroe, Rancho, etc, I agree that any of these options are better than the OEM shocks. They'll control the truck better and will last longer.

 

This looks a liitle misleading, I thought Bilstein came up with something similar to Rancho Quicklift loaded but as I understand, with full reading that they're just selling 4 shocks.

http://www.central4wd.com/inventoryd...older%7C113316

 

+1

I just installed this set-up about 3 months ago, very glad I did. I'd had a 2.5" Autospring spacer on the front for the first 100k miles, and was looking to replace my shocks. Glad I went with these as I think they're a better ride than the original shocks. Plus they give you a little adjustment when you're planning on pulling a trailer or loading up the bed.