. . if you think your truck will ever handle like a Ferrari than you've never rode in a Ferrari. :santa:

 

Well I saw a F350 SD 2004 and it had Ranchos and I thought all FX4 had them but only the SD's. Well guys for the love of god dont buy Bilstein shocks I would recommend KYBs or self adjusting Koni shocks.

 

What are you smoking?

Just because a shock doesn't have the name branded on the side, why does everyone assume its factory? . . and why do you say don't buy Bilsteins? Sounds like you're speaking from a lowered perspective. Anyways, arn't Roush shocks just re-valved Bilsteins?

 

I will go with Thumper here,

1. The Lariats ride much smoother than the FX4. I doubt they have the same shocks. I compared my friends XLT 4X4, to my Lariat 4X4 and mine had a bigger diameter shock. Oh Both 06's. Neither had any marking on them. Ford buys these shocks, with out marking for a reason. They do not want to pay extra fees associated with a part that has a name on it. It is called marketing!
2. The stock shocks, whether you have an XL, XLT, Lariat, FX4 are terrible shocks for the weight of truck we have. (04-07)
3. Top of the line Bilstiens would solve all your woes.



'doin what I can, with what I got!

 

Somebody call a dealer parts counter, and get the part numbers, already! Sheesh!

Andy

 

I know we are al talking about 4x4, but i have a 4x2 and was wondering whats the difference in my shocks to yours, i think the 4x4 are a little longer, but what about the ride quality of them?

 

i have personally driven 05 fx4s & lariats (4x4) & the lariat is alot smoother & rides better, but offroad they dont handle near as well as the fx4s
ric was correct, would you rather have a companys name on a product & have to pay them more for it or just buy that same product without the companys name for alot less?

 

When my dad handed over his 04 fx4 to me (and the payment) he bought an 06 lariat and it rides much smoother IMO. I could be way wrong or it could just be in my head, but my 04 rode like a log wagon.

 

Before I made my choice and went with a FX4, I test drove both trucks. THe one I bought and and Lariat 4x4. I drove the FX4 first and It seemed pretty smooth for me some of the big bumps you could feel pretty good, but overall nice smooth ride. Next I drove the Lariat, went down the same road, and it was like a totally different truck. The same bumps I hit with the FX4 I hit with the other truck and it almost felt like I didn't even hit a bump. Lariat rode alot better than the FX4. At first I liked the stiff ride of the FX4 but I think I want to get some softer shocks and see if that helps any. I know it's a truck but I would like to get alittle smoother ride this time around.


James

 

I guess I must be one of the lucky ones because my FX4 rides everybit as smooth as a Lariet! The real truth to this is that my wife says the truck rides like a dream and not like a truck at all!

 

I have an 03' FX4, it definately has Rancho's on it (logo and all haha ), and I don't mind the ride at all. For a 4x4 I have always thought it rode pretty smooth. Much smoother than any of the other truck maker's 4x4's that I've rode in. Heck my mom even thinks my truck rides nice, and she rides in a Cadillac!

Fact is the words smooth ride, and 4x4 have never really gone together well.

 

I tow a big trailer, and I'd actually like rear shocks with MORE preload / stiffer spring / valving to keep it from squatting as much and keep a better attitude, with less sag in the rear. Does anyone know of a STIFFER rear shock or spring option for max towing of 8500+ pounds?

 

14.5 years this battle was, just so you know, a shock carries no load, springs carry the load a shock just controls the rebound. Now look up air bags or add a leaf spring and let the almost 15 year old thread die.

 

Yep, unless you weld them up solid ... shocks will not carry a load, they just absorb energy. Springs carry the load.

 

If you are having a problem towing that kind of weight, maybe your weight distribution hitch needs adjustment. The rear end should not sag at ALL. Towing over 5000# with a 1/2 ton truck requires a properly adjusted WDH.