Hey guys and girls, I'm new on here..just picked up a 2002 f-150 Sport with the 5.4 motor and 3.55 gears a few weeks ago. It's my first pickup, and I love it. I was wondering how to find out what transmission is on it, because there were two available, and also what brand of shocks and struts were installed. It also sits noticeably higher in the back, and I was wondering if and extra leaf spring was added after purchase? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

transmission-
automatic: 4R70W

shocks: unless factory, there is no way to find out with out reciepts. You can get under the truck and take a look at them, see if any company name is on them.

Higher in the back: most likely has something to do with a "tow package". Truck are generally higher in the rear, so that when you load them up, or tow, they aren't squatting down.

 

I was wondering about the shocks and struts because there is alot of lean around corners, and I didn't know if I already have the ranchos on there. I'll have to see if I can look under there and tell that way. It does have a hitch and trailer light connection on it..is an extra leaf spring what makes it higher with the towing package?

 

at one point it changed from an extra leaf, to a little bit of a lift block. I know on the newer model, its a small lift block, maybe 2" tall, that goes under your leaf pack to get that extra lift. Sounds like ya got the tow package though, thats always a nice thing.

If its rolling around corners, I would guess you have factory shocks. Sounds like they might be getting warn down a bit. If it feels real "squishy" and soft, with body roll into the corners, then might be time to look at other shocks. I suggest the bilstein shocks personally, but rancho offers some good shocks. If you have rancho shocks under there, there would most likely be a red boot on them, or some red somewhere on em. Like I said, if ya get under there and really look closely at the shocks, you might find a name.

 

Yeah I'm definitely glad I have the tow package in case I need it, and I think it looks pretty cool too. When I press down on the front end and let go, it goes back up and then down and up again very slightly. I just may leave those on for now because they really don't seem bad. When I do replace them I'd like to replace them with something that rides smoothly over bumps and handles well also. I was reading some of the discussions on here, seems alot of folks like the Bilsteins..do they absorb bumps like the factory shocks, or are they more like an off-road shock? I kind of like the thought of getting sensa-tracs because they ride smoothly and also handle well.

 

I think that the Rancho is the best bang for the buck. You could spend a lot more money, but not necessarily get a better shock. But for what you spend on Rancho, would you rather have Monroe?

I was just looking at the Belltech; which you can adjust to lower or lift.

 

I don't want to lift or lower, just keep the factory height. I read someplace on here that rancho shocks are made by Monroe, and Edelbrock used to be, along with a few others. I'm just looking for something that is similar to the factory shocks smooth ride, which will also provide good handling around turns. I read a post on here saying the sensa-tracs took the body roll out of his f150 and made the ride just a little firmer, and that sounds good to me. People seem to really like Bilstein on here, are they alot firmer than the factory base suspension, or just a little? Keep in mind I don't have the off-road shocks.

 

Hey MercedesTech, you say you like the Bilsteins..are they much stiffer than the factory shocks over small-normal bumps, or is it just a small difference? I'm really looking for something that corners better, but not if I have to lose my fillings on small bumps.