all suggestion are welcome, and this is kinded of a loaded question.

i have a 97 f150 4x4 SC w/the off road package, 105k miles, and original shocks!!! this thing rides like a tank, but it always has. i'm looking for a nice set of shocks that will give me a smooth ride on the highway and roads. i'm not too much into the rock climbing or stump jumping. when my truck goes off road, its during hunting season, and mostly i just deal with mud and loose gravel. so a nice asphault shock is what i'm looking for. i was thinkin about the rancho rs5000, but i'm not sure how nice they will be. my budget is between $250 and $300.. i'm open to any name brand of shock also.


thanks for all responses.

 

When you get new quality shocks you will realy appreciate it. There are a few good names that I don't remmeber how to spell with out looking. I have the Rancho RS9000x which is similar to the RS5000 you mentioned. The nice thing about the 9000 is you can set it to a softer or firmer setting than the 5000. I run mine softer for a comfortable ride with great cornering stability.

Keep in mind, that the tank like ride you mentioned is more a result of the tires than the shocks. For a nice road riding tire look at the Michelin Cross Terrain, or to save some money the LTX MS which is a similar design without the silicone but has a slightly more aggressive tread pattern.

Either way, you will notice a big difference with better shocks, and the rear end bounce will go a way completely with softer tires and better shocks.

 

Hello plug,

Bilstein's are a good choice, they are smooth and more controlled, not harsh like OEM shocks.