Hi all,

I'm thinking about putting new shocks on my 1997 F-150 4x4. Any suggestions on what kind to get. Not really looking for the air adjustable, just some regular shocks.

Thanks
Phil
http://phildac.www8.50megs.com

 

I have spoken with a few people and following their suggestions I picked up the Rancho RS-9000's. They're a little expensive. They are adjustable with a dial on the shock but can be made air adjustable later on if you decide.

 

ProComp ES 3000's. Affordable at 28 bucks a piece. Great shock. Quicker Rebound, less body roll. couldnt tell the diff between them and the Rancho RSX's.

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

 

I was thinking about getting the Rancho 5000's, half the price of a 9000 (around 40 a shock). Any of the Rancho's are good shocks.

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97 Ford F150 XLT 4x4 4.6L auto, Std cab/Long bed, 3.55LS rear axle, PW,PL, and PM, captian chairs w/arm rests
Sylvania Cool Blue Bulbs, Ford logo hitch and license plate, tinted windows, blackouts front and rear(w/ford logos on front blackouts),ventvisors all around, painted logos on door sills and under hood, 55w backup lights, K&N Filter, custom 4x4 emblems, cup holder/LED mod, 99 F150 Triton V8 emblems, and much more to come

 

I HAD 6--RS9000'S ON MY LAST TRUCK. THEY ARE GREAT SHOCKS. ON THE STIFF SETTING YOU NEED TO BE A DESERT RACER- NO DRINKING COFFEE ON THE WAY TO WORK . ON THE SMOOTHEST SETTING THEY WERNT TO BAD = BUT YOU WILL GIVE UP SOME IN THE NICE RIDE DEPT. IF YOU DONT GO OFFROAD MUCH -YOU MIGHT WANT SOMETHING ELSE.

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99' F150 LARIAT WOOD DASH -5.4---3.73'S
EXCAB.
AIR FORCE ONE.

 

bilsteins are going on my truck this summer. i've run these on trucks for years and they are great. good luck, Rich

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-1999 F-150 4X4 XLT SC
-4.6, auto
-3.55LS
-Westin chrome nerf bars
-dual straight pipes
-goodyear mt/r 265/75/16
-hikerdadrich@aol.com

 

Not only are the RS-9000s great shocks, but you can set them how "you" like. Even better, if you go offroad or tow/haul heavy loads, just crank them up, then return them later.

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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 4.10LS,
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,
Pirelli Scorpion Zero 275/60/16s, Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.

 

I too have the ProComp3000's. Good performance for a cheaper shock. The dealer claims to have had used ES3000's and Rancho 5000's, and couldn't notice the difference. If you want a stiffer ride yet, go with the ES9000 gas shocks. Or, go with the more expensive option, and get the Rancho 9000's, best you can buy.

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'97 F-150 4x4 SC SB 4.6L. Riding on Sport King 265/75R16 AT's. ProComp 3000 shocks. Add-a-Leafs and rear block lift, torsion lift. Side Bars and pushbar. WMS Intake, Gibson SS exhaust and Superchip!

Wish list: 4.10 Gears, Hedman Hedders, 3" body lift, 33x12.5 MT's!!

 

phildacf150

The guy at my local 4x4 shop swears that the Rancho 5000 and Procomp 3000 are identical in performance, with eactly the same features. I can vouch that they do claim exactly the same features, but I don't know if one is valved stiffer than the other myself. I'm not advocating Procomp over Rancho, it is just that I've seen both types for the same applications, and they look identical. The Rancho is about $10 more per shock. I think you are paying more for the Rancho name is all. Just my opinion.

Whatever you buy, I would suggest buying polyurethane bushings for your shocks. This makes them more responsive, letting the shock itself dampen the bumps, not the soft mushy rubber bushings. They are very easy to replace in the rings, simply lube and push out the old hole bushings and push in the new. New poly bushings for all 4 new ES3000 shocks I bought cost only $20 more, they will outlast the rubber 10 to 1. You can get them at any 4x4 shop. If you get the Rancho 9000's, they already come with poly bushings.


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'97 F-150 4x4 SC SB 4.6L. Riding on Sport King 265/75R16 AT's. ProComp 3000 shocks. Add-a-Leafs and rear block lift, torsion lift. Side Bars and pushbar. WMS Intake, Gibson SS exhaust and Superchip!

Wish list: 4.10 Gears, Hedman Hedders, 3" body lift, 33x12.5 MT's!!

 

I've Got Rancho RSX shocks front and back. You get the best of both worlds with these babys. Nice ride on the road. Good handling off-road. Doesn't break the bank either. Has the poly bushings, their self-adjusting, and cost around 50 bucks. Can't beat that for an all around good shock.

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1997 F-150 XLT 4X4 Off-Road
4.6L Auto.
3.55 Gears
All Power Interior
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control
Sliding Rear Window
17" Rims W/ P265-70R-17's
Cervini's Ram Air Hood
K&N Gen.
SUPERCHIP
True Dual Flowmasters
3" Chrome Tips
GTS Carbon Fiber Headlight Covers
Ford Motorsport Chrome Rear Cover
Ford Racing Duraliner
Lund Backdraft
35% Tinted Windows
Ultra Bright Headlights & Fog Lights
Pioneer DEH-9300 Head Unit
Pioneer EQ-6520 10-Channel Equalizer
4-Pioneer TS-P682 6x8 2-Way Components Speakers
2-Pioneer TS-A6995 6x9 4-Way Speakers
Pioneer TS-WX65A Amplified 6 1/2" Sub
Pioneer GM-X924 65 Watt 4-Channel Amp
Bel 980 Radar Detector
Viper Alarm
Rancho RSX Shocks Front and Rear
Lumi Logo Front Ford Emblem
Billet 4X4 Third Brake Light Cover
Ford F-Series Floor Mats
Ford Valve Stem Caps
Class III Hitch
Ford Hitch Receiver Cover
Westin Chrome Nerf Bars
---------------------------------

 

Just installed RS-9000s today. I was going to do them myself....glad I didn't!! Right rear shock had to be cut off. Left rear took a pro 1 1/2 hours to remove, even with the spare dropped!!! There is no room to get a wrench on the upper shock post. Fronts were better. Paid $120, and worth it.
Shocks are great!! I've used RS-5000s on a prior truck, there is no comparison. Currently set on "3", nice smooth ride, no more rear axle hop over larger road bumps. This is so far the best mod I have done to the truck. Rides better than "new" The HD OEM shocks = crap.
4 RS-9000 ordered from 4wheelparts.com = $265.00 free shipping (took 5 days to arrive)
Installation = $120.00
Total = $385.00
Smile on my face = priceless


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1999 F-150 4x4 XLT SC FS ORP Dark Graphite interior, Dark Toreador Red, Power (Driver's) Captain's Chairs, 6 Disk CD, Remote Keyless Entry, Rear Slider
5.4, 3.73
Mods:
Manik grill guard, Westin Nerfs, Lund Moon Visor, Leer TSC600 hard bed cover, Duraliner Drop-in bed liner. Deflecta Shield II bug guard, Ford Vent Visors, Remote Start, Lojack, Airaid FIPK.
Rancho RS-9000
Issues:
5.4 "Slapper" replaced with New 2K at 12k mi.
Driver's Door Crack Repaired at 15k mi.
Leaky Slider repaired
New A/C compressor
New GEM to fix 4x4 engagement issue

 

Thanks you guys for all the great feedback. Tink I might go with either the Rancho RS5000 or the RS9000. Probably the RS5000. Keep it Coming.

http://phildac.www8.50megs.com
Need to update this pic sooo bad!

 

I got rancho RS-9000's theyre good shocks! Kinda expensive but theyre worth it
JJ

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97 4x4 Off Road Package 4.6l, Flareside S/C Dark Toreador Red
www.f150world.com/southernthunder

 

Thanks guys for all the reply's. Ended up buying the Rancho RS5000 for a total of $149.56 from http://www.truckperformance.com
Thought about the RS9000 but they were too pricey for me. Should be here by Friday. Will let you know how they turn out.

Thanks again
Phil

 

I have the RS5000's, infact i got them from that website also! I will warn you though that the ride is pretty stiff. I spent 20 minutes the other day cleaning coffee off my drivers door panel, the roads aroung here are terrible!

-Jon