I have been reading this forum for a few months now and I must say that it is full of useful information on all sorts of topics. I purchased a 02 Supercrew Lariat 4x4 5.4 V8 2 months ago with 26K miles. This is my first Ford truck. I had driven Chevrolet Z71s for years but the quality of the trucks seemed to be getting worse each year. When my son was born a few months ago I decided to get something with 4 full size doors and once I drove a Supercrew, I fell in love with it. The only thing I did not like about the truck were the shocks. They did not seem to handle expansion joints on concrete freeways too well and the truck seemed to dive when braking and lean a little when cornering. I took the advice of others on this board and ordered a set of Rancho RS9000x shocks from Sams Offroad. The shocks were $218 and I had a shop near my office install them for $50 just because I did not have much free time in the near future to do them myself. All I can say is WOW! These shocks are adjustable from 1 (very soft) to 9 (very firm). The shop initially had them set at 3 all around and the ride home was nice and cushy. I reset the front to 5 and the rear to 4 and my ride into work this morning was just perfect. I had the heavy duty Bilsteins installed on my last Z71 and it was a very firm ride, almost too firm at times. These shocks, as they are set right now, are just firm enough to keep the truck from feeling "floaty" after going over bumps. The good thing about them is that when I tow my boat or my tractor, I can reach the rear shocks and set them to a firmer setting in about 5 seconds per shock. Since this will only be about 5 or 10 times a year, it's no big deal. I am not one who adds a lot of aftermarket items to my vehicle, but this was money well spent and now I look forward to driving my truck more. Thanks for providing a great forum for Ford truck owners. There are a lot of knowledgable people on here.

SCScrew
02 Shadow Gray/Silver Supercrew Lariat 4x4

 

Cool! Glad you like those shocks. I had the previous generation 5 position adjustable on my last F-150 and loved them. Like you said, easy to adjust the rear ones when you hook up a trailer. I have 16k miles on my S03 Screw and will probabyl order the RS9000x before this promotion is over.

 

keep hearing good things about those shocks, gonna have to get me some i guess. oh, welcome to the board... 02 fx4 screw..

 

To get the full benefits of the 9000s I suggest installing the incab remote. After installing it you'll ask yourself "how did I get by w/o it". Also the 9000x and the older 9000 are the same shock. They just added more detents to the adjuster for more fine tuning.

 

These shocks are my next upgrade. I actually almost bought some today but my tire purchase set me back more than expected. Cant wait though

 

SCscrew....
Was the difference really that "seat of the pants" noticeable? I've heard with the 4x4 that good shocks really won't make a difference as this is a 4x4. What about body lean and front end dive? Did they dampen that out too? I have an 01, same miles and set up as you, but wifey says it's too bouncy (but I LOVE it when she sits in the front seat with a tight shirt!!!!).

 

Schmoe,
The biggest difference is in the way the truck settles down after hitting dips in the road. It used to feel very floaty like it would take it a few seconds to quit bouncing. Now, that feeling is gone. You are right about the truck still riding like a 4x4, though. No upgrade will take that feeling away entirely. You will still feel the bumps and potholes, it will just settle down much quicker. As for leaning in the curves and nose diving when braking, the leaning is definitely better. I can still feel the nose diving when hitting the brakes hard, but that is going to happen when you have that kind of weight coming to a quick stop. The Bilsteins that I had on my Chevy Z71 just about completely did away with the nose dive, but that was because they were a high pressure gas charged shock and the flipside to that was every little imperfection in the road was felt through the steering wheel and seat, unless I had a load in the bed or was towing 5k or 6k pounds on a trailer. If you adjust these to the 8 or 9 setting, the nose dive will probably not be noticeable. For the roads around here, I have the fronts at 5 and the rears at 4 for a nice, smooth ride. In the past few years, I have had Rancho 5000s, Gabriel VST, Monroe Reflex, and Bilstein shocks and these RS9000Xs are the best that I have had on a 4x4 so far. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Like someone on anothe post mentioned, any upgrade will most likely be better than what come on the truck.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I can't make up my mind. Hate to miss the Rancho sell, but priority wise, shocks were low on the list . Now, I don't know. Would really like to go e-fans, chip, new ram hood and then maybe shocks, but the shocks right now at least are the cheapest mod. Already put on a Gibson and Airaid intake. Only got 27K on my truck and I am having trouble thinking that newer shocks would make a world of difference because current shocks are not worn out yet.
I know what you mean about floating. Going around a corner and hitting a small hole will make that truck go where heck it wants to go.

 

My stock FX4 shocks are worn after 16k miles. I can feel the difference in the ride from new. I woudn't assume that stock F-150 shocks are not worn out after 27k miles.

How many miles will you have in a year from now when Rancho has the sale again?

 

I have a 2001 Screw 4X4 with 32000 miles. I just replaced the stock HD shocks with Rancho RSX's. Very happy with them They make the truck seem more nimble. It takes corners better and is just simply a better ride.
The only question I have is how will they be when I hook up my camping trailer along with all the gear. They are supposed to adjust for different conditions. I really like them.

 

Good points brought out. Geesh, you guys are going to make me order some new shocks, I can feel it. I was trying to hold out on e-fans, but I'm kind of waiting to see if they get a better shroud system in place. I can feel it now, my fingers are itchin'..........must.....not.....call........shoc k....dealers.......helpme.

thanks. Smoother ride. The wife will dig it.

 

If you get a rear anti-sway bar it will take care of the lean in corners or cross winds. If you like the shocks you will notice even more improvment with the bar.

 

I agree with Thad. I have the Hellwig Rear Anti Sway Bar and I just installed the Rancho RSX's. Got em at Summit for $44. Buy 3 Get 1 free. The shock / sway bar combo really made a difference in overall handeling.

02 F150 Super Crew Lariat FX4
5.4L 3.55 LS
Roush Cold Air Intake /w K&N
Flowmaster Cat Back #17226
Hellwig Rear Anti Sway Bar
Rancho RSX's /w Steering Stabilizer
SilverStars
Outland Sport Grill Guard
Hella 550's

Soon to come
JBA Headers
Under Drive Pullies

 

Awww screw it. I just ordered from Sams and had to pay that freaking sales tax because I'm in Ok-ra-homa. But, still the cheapest. I found one place in the 'net that wanted 119 a PIECE for them. Wow, talk about a spread. Now, I got to get under the truck and familiarize myself here pretty quick. Never done this before. Can I take them off as is? I mean, as the vehicle is parked? Do I need to compress the shocks or the leaf springs? Or just go after it?

 

Got the shocks on this weekend. Wasn't too bad except for that drivers rear side that I've heard so much about. Now I see. Getting the top nuts off/on was a pain. Not too bad, but you got to have patience. Went better with a buddy actually turning the shock itself while I was loosening the nut at the same time. Use air ratchets if you got them. Turning the front wheels also helped a lot for the front shocks.
Got the settings on 3 all the way around. Nice difference. Let the wife drive it some this weekend and she noticed the difference. Wonder what the 1 setting would feel like. Took anothers advice and took off the dial mechanism and filled it full of waterproof grease.