OK - I am looking at changing out the factory shocks on my truck, and wanted to get some input from those of you who have already done this. I have looked at Billstein, Edelbrock, KYB, etc. and don't really know which is better suited for me. I don't anticipate any radical (i.e. rock-crawling) off-roading, primarily street and mud, but I am not satisfied with the stock shocks. There seems to be too much bounce in them, and I would like to eliminate that. What are your opinions on the aftermarket shocks you have experience with?

Thanks,
Jeff

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Y2K SD250 SC XLT, 4x4, 5.4L, Auto; SWB; Off Road Pkg; Towing Pkg; Torreador Red; Sliding Back Glass; Tinted Windows

Mods (minor so far):

• Westin step bars (black powdercoat)
• Bugflector II bug shield
• Pendaliner S/R bedliner
• Vent Shade Ventvisors
• GTS Slotted taillight covers
• Ford logo brake light (hitch plug)

Wish List:

• Gibson SS exhaust
• Rolltop bedcover (probably Retrax)
• AirAid or K&N FIPK
• Grill guard

 

I like the 9000 ranchos cause you can adjust them. They also have 14 stage internal valving.

If you tow, you can crank the rear shocks up to compensate for the larger load back there and still stay in control! You will need a load level spring or bag also, but towing is great when you combine the 2. I use the helwig 1000# overload springs in the rear with the 9000s. Around town, they are on setting 1, the softest. When towing, I put them on 5. It rides the same, just the extra weight makes up the need to change the setting.

If you want something non adjustable, I have heard the Gabriel gas adjust shocks (like the Edelbrocks and RSX shocks) are excellent. They are like 30-40 bucks per shock also, so not a lot of money.

 

I installed Monroe Reflex shocks (same theory as the Edelbrocks) and have been a happy camper with the investment. Ran about 130 bucks and I installed them myself.

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1997 F150 XLT, Flareside , Moonlight Blue, 4x2, SC, Auto, 4.6L, 3:08's, Cargo Cover by Century, Penda bed liner, Blue Oval reciever hitch plug, Driver Design bug deflector, Monroe Reflex Shocks, 235/70/16 Firestone Wilderness AT's, sliding rear window, captain's chairs, Valvoline Durablend Oil, Purolator Pure One Oil Filter, 280 lbs. of traction sand (ahh, winter in the great white north! ), and 119,000 miles and counting!

 

I've got the Edelbrocks on mine. Much better ride and handling with these. I've learned that shocks are like anything else, you get what you pay for and these are the best. IMO.

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1997 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2L V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, Clear Corner Lenses, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Painted Tailgate Handle, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.

 

I have a friend with edelbrocks and its great. I have a suburban with RAncho RSX also good. What i've been told is that the Edebrocks are pretty much the best....and the Rancho RSX's are next. I get mine put on next week so...., but its just a money thing....200 bucks a shock for 4 RSX's or 300 bucks for 4 Edelbrocks. And I believe that the RSX's use the monroe reflex technology except its improved upon for truck on off road use.

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Things to come: coil spacers, 4.10 gears, Grill
ilmagill@aol.com For Pictures :
www.geocities.com/ilmagill

 

I replaced mine about six months ago,and used Monroe Gas Magnums on the front..The ride is okay,but the front tires are wearing quickly. Apparently the factory and aftermarkets idea of heavy duty is totally different! I am really considering going back to the factory shocks unless I find something better.
I should've known,though. The aftermarket shocks I bought had a thread size about half of the factory units. Anybody with the class 3 towing package found a shock that is strong enough to keep the tires from wearing? My tires are getting uneven tread blocks,and the (wah wah)noise is driving me nuts!! I am thinking of buy new tires and rims soon,but these shocks are CRAP,lol. I want to take care of this before I spend the money on them,,HELP!?,,,,98

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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
Yokahama AVS/ST's
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Clear front corners
Stillen Quad light air dam,Sweet!!
Euro taillights
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
[b]Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
Viper alarm
On the way/wheels,tires, etc..etc.......
the monochromatic boogie is done,cool!.
Come see my new pictures@ www.my-f150.com

officialtomwaits.com
reverendhortonheat.com

WOW,what a cool site!

FENDER GUITARS ROCK!!!

 

I second the Rancho RS 9000s. Very overbuilt; adjust how you like them; handy for big loads.

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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.

 

My local off-road shop reccomended the Rancho RSX over the 9000's. He said the only reason to have the 9000's are for people who use their trucks primarily off-road. Mine is only off-road 6-10 times a year, and he reccomended the RSX, since the truck is mostly a daily driver.

I love the handling of the RSX, they provided a significant reduction in body roll, and therefore better handling in turns. As far as off road, the truck is not nearly as "bouncy" as it was before.

Unless you off-road most of the time, I would reccomend the Rancho RSX.

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MY TRUCK:

99 F-150 4x4, 5.4 Triton, 3.55 gears, Amazon Green-Harvest Gold two-tone.

MY MODIFICATIONS:

Superchips Flip Chip

Lund bug shield

Window vent visors

17" Chrome ORP wheels

Clarion Pro-Audio in-dash CD

Connex 3300HP CB radio, K-40 antenna

Husky floor liners

Custom dual exhaust w/Flowmaster muffler and dual 3" chrome tips

Hidden hitch

K&N Filter

Extang tonneu cover

Rancho RSX Shocks

Tekonsha sentinal, inertia activated electric brake controller

 

Posting my agreement with Matt90GT. Although pricey, they are adjustable (w/remote if so desired) and offer you enough for off-road, towing and everyday commute.

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'99 Ford F-150 Lariat, 4WD, SCab, ORP, LS/3.73, Tow Pkg, 5.4L
* Superchip
* K&N FIPK GEN II
'99 Chrysler 300M, PHP, Sunroof, Premium Infinity Sound, 3.5L
* Borla Cat-Bak
* K&N Filtercharger
www.atlantagamerz.com
www.f150online.com
www.300mclub.org

 

Does anybody tow using the RSX's? If so how do they perform?

 

how bout the 9000's for "street racing", or should i say fast driving and hard corners? i know they are terriffic off-road, but i wondered about their speed performance? what settings would you use?

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The TRUCK:
1999 Black F150 XLT Sport 4x4 Flareside, 4.6 Triton V-8, Manual Transmission, Captains Chairs, Power Everything.

Appearance Changes:
Button-down Tonneau Cover, Webasto Sunroof, Spray-on Bed-liner, Xenon Fog and Headlights, Blackwidow Car Alarm, Window Tint, Wet Okole Seats (ALL).

Stereo:
2 10" Kicker CompVR's on Fosgate 360a2, Kicker Components Front & Fosgate 5x7 Rear on Fosgate 200a4, Blaupunkt Muchen Deck.

Performance:
265/70 R17 Yokohama Geolandar A/T+, Borla Split-Rear Cat-Back Exhaust, K&N FIPK.

 

Coolsvile- I tried them on every setting; they have 5. 3 is my harsh limit ; 2 is nice. Higher on the rear only during extremely heavy loads. For performance handling, the front Hellwig made, by far, the most improvement.

 

sounds good, thanx max mitchell!

 

JDMnAR,

I just installed Rancho RSX shocks this last week, they perform very well in my opinion. The truck stays much more stable while turning corners and on curvy roads. It doesn't bounce around as much when going over large and small bumps. The highway ride is also an improvement over the stock shocks. I haven't had a chance to take the truck off road yet, but I imagine it will do just fine with the new shocks. I should have put these on the truck a long time ago. Hope this helps...

Tyler

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97 F150 XLT, S/C, Styleside, Shortbed, Teal, 4x4, 4.6L V8, 5-speed, Man. 4x4

• Gibson Swept Side Exaust
• K&N Replacement Filter
• Rancho RSX Shocks
• LT265/75/16 Chaperal AP's
• Downey SST Tonneu
• Alpine Cd.

 

i like the heavy duty shocks from ford but aftermarket i like bilsteins and koni's