I have a 2003 F150 XLT 4x4. I drive mostly poorly surfaced asphalt and dirt roads, chock full of wicked frost heaves and potholes. I do very little true offroading, other than getting to hunting and fishing places, and carry only moderate payloads. I am very unhappy with the performance of the stock shocks. The rear end skips around on me over chops, and I want a smoother ride over the smaller bumps that currently hit too hard.

I have heard that Bilsteins are great, but I am concerned that the ride will be too stiff for a casual off-roader. Any recommnedations?

 

woodythejet,
I just ordered the Rancho RSX's this afternoon from samsoffroad.com. $155 delivered. The best price I could find. I'll let you know my opinion as soon as I install them

 

I have Koni's on my two wheel drive supercab, elimanted the rear wheel hop I had. They have 4 postion adjustments, I installed them on (1) like recommended by Koni. Got them off Ebay sraight from Koni for the same price as the RSX shocks. Due a search on Ebay and they put a set up for auction every so often. I only had 30k miles when I am installed them and they made a considerable difference in ride and handling. At 60k I will switch them to the second setting.

 

On my 97 F-150 I had RS5000's on it and I was very happy with the ride, and they were pretty cheap compared to the major hit the bilstiens would be.

 

I'd put Bilstien, Edlebrock IAS, and Rancho RS9000x on the same level.

BTW, Rancho has buy 3 get 1 free sale until the end of April.

 

I just put on the Pro Comp ES3000 this weekend and can tell a major difference. But that is compared to stock, so I think anything is an improvement.

 

Bottom line, you pick a good shock and you'll be very happy with the outcome.

I'll put in a suggestion for the RSX9000 because you can adjust them soft for the open road, and still crank em tight for that hunting trip. I hear a lot of good talk about the Bilsteins and I would like to try them, but my concern is like yours, and I don't think it would meet my driving needs. I transport a lot of grey haired friends in the back seat, and I don't want them bouncing their head off the celing when I hit a bump.

I always want to be the dedicated driver, mostly because I don't want to ride in anything but an F-150. I'll do what ever it takes to make people comfortable.

 

I've put Monroe Reflex on both of my trucks (94 Ranger and 02 F150). When I first put them on the Ranger 2 years ago I thought they were too soft. After a couple months I came to appreciate the outstanding highway ride and made several long trips in that truck. When I got the F150 it rode like a floor jack in comparison. A few local roads were intolerable and the rear end would jump all over the place. With the new shocks this big truck has softened up a lot and has a much better ride. I don't drive offroad so I'm only concerned about how it rides on paved roads.

$160 for all four shocks, lifetime warranty.

 

I would just like to thank everyone for the great responses so far! I am new to this board, and have been very impressed. Thanks all!

 

Hi Woody;

Put in my vote for the Rancho RS9000x's. Got mine last year - the deal then was 30% off from a local parts store ( Crappy Tire up here in MooseVille), plus an offer from Rancho for the RCX remote in-cab control system for *free* if 4 shocks were purchased. How cool is that?

Anyway - transformed the truck's ride, and it's a bonus being able to adjust firmness on the fly while listening to tunes!

Cheers

 

I really like to adjust the shock firmness myself. Another vote for RS9000s. They're perfect to crank up for towing, then drop them back down for daily driving.

 

RS9000's