Hey Guys,

I have an 03 Screw. Im looking to change out the shocks and also install a rear swaybar.

Ive always thought Bilsteins were the best but Im leaning a bit toward Edelbrocks.... Any pros or cons? Anyone have experience with both?

Also... what kind of swaybar would you guys recommend?

TIA,

Jag

 

I have had the following shocks on either of the 2 F-150's I have had, maybe this will help, listed in order of price from lowest to highest. As far as a swaybar never had one what does it do?

1. Rancho RS5000 - (Good economical shock, on the medium side of firm.)

2. Trailmaster SSV - (Better than the Rancho's, on the medium side of firm, but started rusting all over after 6 months.)

3. Bilstein - (Top of the line monotube gas pressure shocks. BUT!, I had 2 go bad in the first 6 months, one right out of the box, another the first time I drove off road.)

4. Pro Comp MX-6 Shocks - (Excellent all around heavy duty shock, will go from soft to very stiff, 6-way externally adjustable shock.)

 

I just got back from the Sport Truck store, and they did not recommend a rear (and I think its called an anti sway bar?) sway bar. They said to fix my "roll" and soft ride I just need better shocks. I really wanted to put something cool on (sway bar) but they said I would get what I want from the shocks.

The shocks were BDS and cost 40$ each.

I havent done enough research to know if this is all true, but I thought I would chime in....anyone with good info about the rear anti sway bar please help us.

Thank you.

p.s. about two months ago I put on CHEAP Monroe gasmatics (4 for 60$) and they were very much an improvement over my blown OE shocks, but now they just seem too soft.

 

2WD or 4X4 ?

I put the Hellwig rear swaybar on my 'Screw and it is awesome. Definitely handles better than before.

I also put the Edelbrock IAS shocks on. Way better as well.

 

Hate to jump in on someone elses post, if your talking to me then its 4x4.



Did you also add something else at the same time that may have given you these results, like new shocks?

Just curious why the truck store did not push an anti sway bar on me.

 

Shocks will not prevent body roll, best case is they will help it a little bit.

The sway bar was added before the shocks and it definitely helps with cornering, especially if you go to the larger wheel / tire combination I have now (see sig).

 

That was my thought also. But I swear at first I though he was trying to push these shocks. So I hung out for a while and pried at him some more.

I think he thought there was a rear sway bar on my truck, but there isnt. He kept saying "replacing your sway bars wont do it" But I know there is only the one in the front. DO you think this is why he didnt push a "new" rear sway bar, not understanding I dont have one?

 

Hard to say. If I remember correctly, the Hellwig I bought will fit a 4X4.

Product Info

Definitely worth it, in my opinion...

 

I put a Hellwig rear swaybar on my '97, and I noticed a big difference in the amount of roll it reduced. I say go with a Hellwig in the rear. Shocks I'm not sure about. I've got Monroe gas shocks and have been told that they are not much better then OEM shocks.

 

Definately go with a Hellwig swaybar, but if you have the FX4 (Offroad package) you may want to wait a bit until they have the new reconfigured kit out on the market. If you do not have the FX4 package the current 7621 kit will work just fine. I have a 2003 Supercab, with the FX4, and found that I couldn't install it without some slight modifications to the mounting hardware to fit around the skid plates that come with the FX4. I posted some install questions on this site and the VP of Operations from Hellwig responded with answers to them!! I then posted my concerns with the skid plates and Hellwig did some testing if their own and found some minor issues with the current kit and trucks with the Off Road(FX4) package, so they have reconfigured the current kit to also mount easily on trucks with the Off Road package!!

Great company!! VP takes the time to sign up on these boards and takes feedback concerning his company's products and takes action to get things changed.

Here's the post from Jim Mitchell from Hellwig.....
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hlight=hellwig

I'll send him an email to see if he can respond to this post with a date that the reconfig'd kit may be out....since I'm also waiting.

 

MN2001F-150,

Thanks for the update. I do have an 03 FX4 so I think I will wait for the new Hellwig.

On a different note, anyone have any pros or cons..

Bilsteins vs Edelbrocks?

Thanks,

Jag

 

Cool, I hope he posts. I have a 2000 F150 with the Off Road package. The only skid plate I have back there is on the gas tank. What plate was in your way? Do you think the Fx4 is the same config. as my 2000?

Rotties,
Thanks, sounds like my predicament, I also just put on the Monroe Gas shocks and dont want an upgrade now, but would like to reduce cornering roll and swaying in the wind. Once I hear back on the skid plates Im going to get the rear bar. (probably not soon though, need $$$$)

 

When I put Edelbrock shocks on mine, body roll was dramatically reduced over the stock shocks (which only had 11,000 miles). Basically, a modern, sophisitcated shock can be 'stiff' on slow shock shaft speed situations like body roll during cornering, but plush on fast shock shaft speed impacts like potholes.

Honestly, I was amazed at how much the body roll was reduced with the 4 good shocks.

I later added a Steeda rear bar, poly front bushings and a 2" rear drop. There really wasn't that much body roll left to eliminate after putting on the Edelbrocks. So IMO the shocks alone made as much or more difference than all the other things I've done put together. I do think a heavier front bar would further reduce body roll, though.

AVOID the Steeda rear bar - it was a pain in the *** to install (the lower mounts interfered with the Edelbrock shock mounts) and their customer service sucked. The bar also hangs way below the rear pumpkin and reduces ground clearance. Especially on a 4x4, you DO NOT want the Steeda bar.

 

See, thats what Im saying. I just put on these soft shocks and feel like Im in denial about needing better shocks.

Dirt bike dave, do you think the rear sway bar would be a waste of time and money for what I want. (I really dont want to buy new shocks, but for some reason Im willing to spend the same money for a rear sway bar)

you can tell its going to take some convincing, but give it to me straight

EDIT

I think I found the answer....The rear sway bar is actually going to lock the two rear shocks together, then on a turn you will lose traction on the rear inside tire as the compression from the outside shock will lift the inside shock. Why would you want this? It would be good for a front wheel car to transfer load to the front tires, but on rear wheel that is bad. I think I'll just get better shocks

 

Sean Romo, it was the gas tank skid plate that was slightly in the way of the bar and it's vertical mounting hardware. The Hellwig sway bar is mounted over the driveshaft/pumpkin and I found easy to get into place with all hardware, I just couldn't tighten it into final position due to the gas tank skid plate.

my .02: I would think that 4 new 'premium' shocks would cost more than a swaybar. I got mine from JCWhitney for less than $150 with shipping. http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jht...D=463981&BQ=tt

HINT: send for one of their free catalogs and on the back cover is a coupon to save an extra 10% on orders over $99.

MN2001F-150