i need to replace one of my front shocks which is busted due to hitting a curb avoiding a rear end collision. What would be the best brand kind to replace both of my front shocks with and how much will they cost. Im going to be putting them on myself. Thanks

btw--its the 98 2wd f150 in my sig.

 

If these are original shocks, I would replace all 4. I have used Bilstein before and like them. They are expensive at abot $65-$70 each.

 

so you reccomend that i replace all 4? I knew that shocks should be replaced in pairs but the trucks only got 69,000 on it and the rear shocks seem fine.
Whats the best shock(s) for the best price? Anyone know? I dont need any real expensive hi-tech shock, just something that will be equal to factory quality.
What type of shock comes factory on these trucks?

 

if you just want some cheap shocks that are as good or better than stock get some low end rancho shocks, my FX4 came with them from the factory when i got my truck and they are way better than the stocks on yours

 

The reason I say replace all 4 is that on the trucks, it is hard to tell that the rear shocks are bad, especially if you don't normally carry a load in the bed. I have done the bounce test on the rear and never could get it to move up and down more than once, even with shocks I could expand and contract by hand very easily.
I normally replace originals at about 30k.

 

My 97 truck has 150k on it. I just replaced my original oem shocks on the front with Rancho 5000's. BIG BIG improvement. The driver's side shock was broken and had leaked out all the fluid.

I checked the rears (unbolted the bottom bolt and physically felt the resistance in the shocks, flexed them in and out, and they both felt great with a lot of life still in them. They were OEM shocks as well.

 

slag, if you were able to flex them in and out by hand, they are shot. With the bilsteins I put on the rear of my last truck, I had to use a jack to compress them them on bolting up.

 

Well ive only got 69,000 miles and i dont tow/haul a whole lot, every now and then ill haul a big load of firewood or something. Truck rode perfectly before i hit that dam curb, but now the front right bounces really bad and is EASY to get the front right bouncing

I think im just going to replace the front ones for now. Like the guy said above, at 150,000 miles his rear shocks still had some life left in them.


How much were the Ranchero shocks for 2wd's??

Thanks for all the info guys--can always count on f150online

 

I had Sensamatics put on at 30,000 miles. Around $195 installed for 4 at Sears....Lifetime Warranty also

 

For the lowest price / value shock that is still worth putting on, I would look into the Monroe. They will no doubt surpasse performance of the OEM, (but then I think that 2 empty paper towel tubes, filled with lime Jello will surpass the OEM Shocks).
I say this because when I bought my 2001 SC it only had 41K and the front shocks were mushy and one rear shock was leaking.

If you wanted to step up slighly, you might want to try the KYB Gas-a-just or another little step (What I put on, the KYB Monomax)

http://www.kyb.com/products/

my $0.02 of the hour

Dpostman

 

If you have more than 50K on stock shocks CHANGE THEM. You will be surprised how bad they are. I put Bilsteins on my truck a few weeks ago and they are worlds better than the stockers. I could compress all my stock shocks by hand. If you can do that they are bad. When I compressed the fronts one of them never returned to extended and was real rough. It is still sitting in my garage compressed. One of my rears stayed compressed as well but slowly came back as it sat in the sun on the driveway while I worked on the others. The seals had leaked fluid down the sides etc. Ford stock shocks are junk. Change them! I got my Bilteins for 65 a piece from http://www.performanceproducts.com/

 

Maybe someone here can give him the front factory shocks that they've removed?????

 

^
good idea but no need for that, im just going to go buy 2 Monroe shocks tomorrow morning and stick 'em on. Thanks for the help!

 

If you buy Monroes get the Reflex. Pep Boys or Autozone will have them in stock.


Fritz

 

I jsut put some Skyjacker platnium series on my Bronco.Nice shock's.