ok guys, im pretty sure the shocks on my 02 fx4 are crapped out, and i also need to do all ball joints. for me, thats a lot to pay for at once, so my question is, if i wait to do my shocks till after i do ball joints and get an alignment, would it need to be re-aligned? or am i gonna have to do them all at once?

and im stuck between the rancho rs-5000's and the monroe sensitracks or reflexes for my shock choice. which one is best for me doin 1/2 highway driving, 1/3 gravel driving, and the rest is goin out in fields and down dirt roads for hunting and farming stuff? my truck does have the t-bars cranked if that helps

thanks guys!
Adam M

 

Shocks won't have any affect on your alignment. Also, Bilstiens would be the best choice for shocks.

 

ok thats amazing.... what part numbers should i be lookin for for my 2002 FX4? i searched an all i could find was for the 04-08's.... thanks wandell!

 

NTB has 1 year, 3 year or 5 year alignments. I bought a 3 year and I can take my truck in any time in next 3 years to have it aligned again. It was less than paying for two alignments and I know I will use it at least once a year.

I seldom keep my trucks for more than 3 years, so it was a little cheaper than the five year alignment.

KR-Texas

 

KR hit the nail on the head. Find a place that lets you pay once and get several alignments. Better safe than sorry. I would think, although I am new to F150s that anytime you mess with the front suspension, you need an alignment, or at least to have it checked.

 

How much did that run you if you dont mind me asking you bc i will get mine done a lot

 

shocks wont affect your ride height on 97-03 trucks, but chances are you need an alignment anyways so its not a bad idea to get one done, especially after renewing the ball joints

 

i saw something about that 3 and 5 year alignment where i get my vehicles aligned.... now that you remind me of it! that sounds like the ticket! i found the part number for bilsteins all the way around on my truck, just need anyone that knows to check it, they are Front: BE5-2489-H0 (about $70 a piece) Rear: BE5-2490-H0 (about $75 a piece)

 

If your tires were wearing correctly before the shocks, you don't need to spend the money. Shocks do not impact the alignment unless you turn something by mistake. Top nut and two nuts on the bottom and you'll be ok.

 

At NTB, the three year alignment is $149. I have already used it twice, once before I bought my new wheels/tires and once afterwards.

It includes the following items:
FREE ALIGNMENTS every 6 months or whenever you feel you need it.
FREE TIRE ROTATION every 6 months or 6,000 miles.
FREE TIRE INSPECTION & AIR PRESSURE CHECK any time.
FREE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION with every alignment
PLUS - Program is transferable one time to any other vehicle in the family. (Note, they said I could transfer it to a new truck for the remainder of the three years, so it was a no-brainer...)

Here is the pointer.
http://www.ntb.com/Alignment.aspx

KR-Texas