Hey guys and girls, I am looking for some assistance. I cherish everyone's opinon and always look for your help before making a purchasing decision.

I have 48K on my 98 XLT F150 with the ORP. Looking at the rear end the other day, it looks like my rear drivers side is lower than the passenger side. Almost like the truck is croked. Part of it may be that I am a big guy, but I think my shock may be bad. Would a blown shock make the one rear side list like that? I know what everyone says about those HD shocks, so I figured that would be the reason.

My second question is I am having a tough time deciding what to replace them with. Sears and Monroe have a lifetime warranty. I know my dad had Sears on his Suburban and had them replaced free every year or so just to make sure they were o.k. Does anyone have anything to say about these two types? Or should I try the Edelbrock or Bilsten shocks and replace them myself. The Sears and Monroe shocks can be replaced with labor for the same price as the Edelbrocks or Bilstens.

I would love any comments or help in my decision. No comment is a stupid one. I will listen to everyone. Thanks so much!!!

Royally confused,

Truck Cleaning Fanatic

98 F150 XLT Supercab Dark Toreador Red. Viper Alarm, tint, tonneau cover, Waag pushbar w/ PIAA's & Hella's up front and Pilots on the rear bumper. Page 27 of the owners gallery.

 

TCF -
I added the Edelbrocks a month or so ago and posted some feedback on this board. If you search back aways, you can find my comments and those by others. The Edelbrocks were better in every way over the stockers, but I wasn't totally blown away by them. Maybe its because I only had 11K on my stock shocks and they were still fresh. At 48K, your shocks are probably pretty well worn, so you will see more improvement.

As far as the truck sitting lower on one side - a possiblility is that your left side springs are 'sacked out', or more worn (therefore softer) than your right side springs. This could be caused by one side being more heavily loaded all the time.

Someone I used to know had this problem with his RX-7. He was a big guy (about 300 pounds) and drove the car solo 99% of the time. His car was noticeably lower on the left side. He had a racing shop pull the springs and measure their resistance. The left side had become much softer than the right side! However, his car was pretty high mileage - shouldn't happen on a two year old truck. Perhaps some mechanicial engineer can explain why springs wear out like this.


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1999 XLT S/C, 4.2 V-6, auto, 3.55 rear, dark torreador red/harvest gold, bed liner, Sony 10 disc CD, Edelbrock IAS, K&N filter, soon to Superchip

 

I have the rsx rancho and love them. irode my friend's '99 f150 with edelbroks and i di not think they were worth the difference in price. Ranchos= 199.99 including tax v.s. 289.00 edelbrooks. Hope this helps.By the way i do not think that worn shock will cause the truck to go to one side.

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99 xlt sc,4.6 2w.d.,gibson catback,
superchip,
rsx shocks,
hellwig sway bar,
3" front lift,275/70/16 scorpions,
sst soft bed cover.

FUTURE MODS:4.10 GEARS, GORHINO BRUSH GUARD AND HELLA LIGHTS.
From: Los Angeles, CA

 

I dont think it is a shock but is probably a bad spring.
I added Edelbrock shocks and was very suprised how well they are put together. Very nice shock BUT I did not notice that big of a difference in ride quality and just a tad difference in stability. I was running Trailmaster SSV. But for the money I was expecting a bit more. I went ahead and ordered the Rancho 9000 with the remote to be able to adjust on the fly. I just got them and will intall them this week. Hope they work well. Agian the Edelbrocks have lifetime warranty and are very nice. I do reccomend them. Just my .02

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97 F-150 Black, 4x4 XLT ext.cab,sb,offroad pack.
4" Susp. lift, 3" body
4.56 gears w/LS,
Borla Stainless exhaust
35" Wild Country Tires,
16.5x9.75 Weld Scorpio V wheels, Returned Edelbrock shocks for Rancho 9000's and remote,Lift Lips,
K&N Filter,
TransGo Shift kit,
Bug shield,Tinted windows
Sony ES head unit,Sony ES changer,MTX Thunderform sub,Boston Acoustic Pro-Series up front, Polk in rear,PPI & Coustic Amps,Alpine Alarm

Check it out at:

http://members.aol.com/squanto804/scottwebpage.html

 

shock strength, use etc will not effect ride height in any way. In fact you can remove all four shocks at the same time and you would'nt know untill you drove around and hit bump and bounced yourself right out the window of the truck. First measure your tire pressure. make them match right to left. then measure frame height to ground (In rear). if they differ measure bottom of frame to leaf (in rear) if they differ your leaf is wearing out too soon check for warranty replacement (extended warr?) if they don't differ go the front and check the frame to ground. if they differ check your torsion adjuster bolt. measure the distance it sticks down. if they differ alot (1/2") adjust accordingly. remeasure frame heights when done. Also look for a wore out bushing on the drivers side or bent frame (unlikley unless you really beat the crap out of it) I am not an alignment expert, this just what I would do if I had this predicament. good luck

I run RS 5000's (rancho) and love them. Rancho has been in the offroad business longer than almost anyone. They must not suck too bad.

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97' F150 XLT, 4 X 4, Auto,4.6L, Vortech Supercharger, jet-chip, Gibson Cat-back Duals, rear Posi, 4.10's, jet shift improver, Tonneau cover, Rancho RS5000's, 33's on American racing rims, Rhino brushgards and pushbumper, Stull Billet grill, Dual Fosgate 800's w/Alpine head,
and musty smelling A/C system. Lookin for Chevy's to eat!!

 

Don't forget about Trail Master. Mine are great but I have only the stock to compare with. These are popular in the South East.

 

Your "sig" doesn't look like an off-roader..
I have and like the IAS's..but if I was more
into off-roading..the Rancho's..Bilstens are
good but stiffer on the highway than IAS's.
My .02
Rick

 

Thanks everyone for your input!!! I just put $1,100 into the truck on brakes, rotors and tires, so I think I will wait a few months for shocks!!!