Question and please explain why: WHAT ARE THE BEST REPLACEMENT SHOCKS?

I have a 2000 Lightning with 40K miles on it. I am ready to put some new shocks on it. It is a daily driver. Would like a little softer ride if possible and not loose much of the handling characteristics.

 

01/02 Bilsteins

Why:

The will give you the softer ride without sacrificing handling characteristics (improvement actually)

They are night and day difference over 99-00 stock slugs.

now if you're pondering lowering it, that may changes things..

 

I just had the Bilsteins put on yesterday (along with the FRPP drop and PSP Cal-Tracs). The truck rides so much better, now. It's not "softer" by any means (thank GOD); it just holds the road like you wouldn't believe. It should've come from the factory like this! From what I hear, the Bilsteins alone give our trucks a softer ride, but add in the other two and be ready to smile.

And just so you know...
BE SURE to get new upper mount nuts/washers/whatever those things are for your new Bilsteins. I heard people talk about it, but never really got a solid answer as to why or what I was looking for. Basically, the threaded end at the top of the rear shocks has a mounting device that screws over it (like a nut on a bolt). This threaded end on the Bilsteins is larger than that of the factory shocks, so you have to have two of these new, larger mounts to make the shock swap. I think they're around $25 if I remember correctly. Good luck!!!

DUCK

 

Doetsch shocks are the best in my mind.

 

QA1 shocks are good for drag racing.

 

Best: Penske (approx $750/ea)

Realistic best: QA1 (approx $175/ea)

Slight improvement: 01-02 Bilstiens (approx $40/ea)

 

ttt
From the responses not many have replaced their shocks yet. Looks like Blistens are answer now. No discussion on the Doetsch.

 

The stock shocks on your 2000 probably wore out 30,000 miles ago so any shock will be an improvement and feel great. If you want the best value, get the QA1's. I drove my new 2002 for about a week with the Bilstiens. I pulled them off and gave them back to the dealer with my old red truck. That's how much I like the Bilstiens. But like I said, any shock will make it feel better with the mileage you have.

Spike

 

Spike,

Are you saying that stock (99-00) shocks are only good for about 10-20K miles?

If so, how do you test and or prove this for warranty work?

I have about 24K on my '00 and I do think it is looser/rougher (but faster too!) than it was new, but is this normal wear and tear?

I mean I trust your judgement, and I am always looking for a way to spend every penny I have on my L, I just need some objective way to do this...and of course I would prefer it to be covered under warranty if in fact the stock shocks are shot (say that fast 10 times... ).

Thanks,
BB

 

It's a good question: when do the go bad? If they haven't failed, I doubt Ford will replace them under warranty. But, after 10K miles, they are not very effective anymore. In other words, they wear quickly but haven't "failed," because some damping exists.
The Bilstiens aren't bad for a performance truck shock and are inexpensive. On a budget, they're a good choice.

It would be an interesting test to put several different 2000 shocks on a shock dyno and compare the effectiveness at different mileages. That would be one way to quantify how the ones tested wore out, but without a large sample set, you couldn't prove how the average shock wears after 10k miles. Without that, it's only my opinion based on talking with others (and personal experience) that the stock 99/00 shocks wear quickly.

Hope this helps or explains things.

Spike

 

Spike: Do you mean the QA1s are the best value for everyday use, drag racing, and road course handling or are they more 'specialized', primarily for drag racing?

Stangely enough, my 1991 Camaro Z281LE came with Bilsteins struts and shocks as OEM too. I driver's schooled it for many laps at Road Atlanta and Roebling Road, and at 100,000+ miles, it still handled the late-apex turns pretty well. I know that is not rational or realistic but I thought they were pretty damn-good shocks .

Dan

 

I hate to say it but spike, ruslow ect... couldn't out drive me or my cat out of the drive way.

At 20,000 miles I can't seem to see any difference than new. Maybe they just have somethig to sell or know .00000000000000001% more than a normal person.

BTW 13th place at Daytona way back in 83, none of this BS club racing.

 

Wow Bob1999 you sure think highly of yourself. 13th place 20 years ago. Impressive? Pretty funny down playing someone's driving skills when you don't even know them. Dissing club racing is just plain ignorant. If you are that good you must be famous, or still actively competing in a pro series somewhere. Or is the 13th place your career highlight?

 

Bob1999

I'm impressed to learn that there is a list of people that can't outdrive you or your cat out of the driveway. Since you obviously know more about driving than "etc.." (I'll assume you mean anyone), I'll turn this topic over to you. That's what you want everyone to know about you, correct?

Also, be sure to get involved in the tuner "conversations." Your tact will fit in with the typical debate. I'm most impressed though with your comments on this post. Your compassion and thoughts about racing really shine on that one.

Spike

btw, LIGHTNINROD, send me an email with your questions. Hopefully I can provide you with useful information.

 

nothing like a little jounce to adversely rebound an otherwise helpful thread, or something.

Spike and 'Bolt,

well put.