Hey guys,

I have a 2003 reg cab fx4. The ride is a little stiff. I have rancho shocks on it right now. I've been thinking of going to Bilsteins.

Do you think it would be worth the extra cost? Are they available for the '03 and if so any recomendations where to buy?

Thanks in Advance

Ford One

 

My Ford factory Rancho's were toast at 60,000 miles. My truck has low miles for the year so I would bet your truck has at least as much and yours are probably at the end of their life as well. Everyone here loves the Bilsteins. That many people can't be wrong. I went with the Monroe Reflex Monotubes on the front and the Load Adjusters on the back (I tow with my truck). My sister works at a parts place so I could get them for her cost. I have been very happy with them so far. Really anything you put on it will be an improvement over worn out shocks.

 

The OEM Rancho shocks are valved to Fords specs. So they are different than the Rancho RSX, RS5000, etc. Just about any aftermarket shock will be an upgrade.

 

Yea Grizzstang, my truck has about 85K and Ireplaced the front shocks with RS5000 about 15000 miles ago. They are allready making squishy sounds. Did you find the ride quality improved with the Monroes?

Wandell, I agree with you. I'm not too impressed with the Ranchos not to mention my wife. I may try the Monroe shocks.

Ford One

 

My ride quality improved for sure. My old shocks really were not doing anything when I took them off. I like a fairly firm ride though. The Rancho's, Bilstein's and Monroe Reflex's are all pretty firm. You may want to look at the Monroe Gas Matics or something like it in another brand if you don't like Monroe. They are less firm and have a more car like feel to them.

 

The Bilsteins are a great choice. I had them on my 98 Lariat 4x4, and now on my 01 EXPd, I also put a set on my fathers 99 Explorer. They are a little smoother o\ver small bumps, and give good control over larger ones. Comapred to the RS5000s I had on my Nissan, they are a definite improvemnt.

 

I am thinking of getting them bilstein's next month or so, I don't like how my Gabriels are holding up, I bought them last year pretty bad shocks if you ask me.

 

Where is the best place to purchase Bilstien shocks? Also anyone have pn for a 02 FX4 4x4?

 

The basic part numbers for teh 4600 series are Front-BILF4-BE5-2489-H0, rear-BILAK2284. They also offer the 5100 series for lifted vehicles. When I bought mine, I shopped around and some of the E-Tailers (Shox.com, e-shocks, etc) had them cheaper, but I ended up going with 4 Wheel Parts. Their pices were competitive prices ( about 67.50) and are an established company with real people to talk to.
Bilstein's customer service is excellent, one of my front shocks came with teh wrong hardware package, so I had to call the service center in Morresville, NC. The tech found the parts on hand. At this point it was already 6 PM, too late to ship. The tech offered to meet me somewhere and give me the parts, so I didn't have to wait two days. I ended up driving to Charlotte and picking up the parts that night.

 

Thanks for all the info guys.

Grizzstang, have you tried the Monroe Gasmatics? Anyone else had experience with the gasmatics on an FX4? I don't want a mushy ride but the Ranchos have to go.

Ford One

 

I have had them on other cars but never on my truck.

A buddy runs them on his 3/4 ton Chevy work van and they don't seem mushy to me but they are definately not as firm as the Reflexes.

 

I need new shocks to my 2003 F150 4.6 XL Regular Cab Long Bed with 110K miles. I'm driving 100% highway. Should I go with Rancho 5000 or Bilsteins?

 

Its all personal preference. I have had both, and would chose Bilstein hands down. I have them on my Expd, put them on my parent's Explorer and had them on my F150. I will be installing PSS10s on my G as well. I have the 5000s on my NIssan Hardbody, and they were a good solid shock, but provided a somewhat harsher ride. Honestly either will give you great service, and I believe they are priced similarily.

 

I put Bilsteins on my previous 2001 F-150 and the difference was beyond what you could expect. I will never use anything but Bilsteins for any vehicle I own! The tubes and valves are made so different and are so high quality.

 

I got a really good deal at TopGunCustomz on my 5100's.