How often are you supposed to change the shocks on new F-150's? I've got a '98 RegCab STX (2x4) with about 60,000 miles on it - doesn't seem to ride as well as it always has. I've always been told that stock shocks are not usually all that great - if this is the case what would you recommend to replace them with on a 2wd truck for better handling and a more comfortable ride?

thanks in advance guys..

 

Edelbrock IAS shocks worked nicely on my F-150, but they wore out in about 5000 miles. (I have a lowered truck they they were not for a lowered truck). You should give them a try.

 

Your shocks wore out in 5,000 miles??? (or did you mean 50,000?)

 

not fifty thousand, FIVE thousand. I hope the rest of the owners of the IAS shocks do better than that.

 

60K on factory shocks=trashed. There's a number of great replacement shocks available, but I prefer the Rancho RS9000s. With these, you can choose your ride feel and change it later. This is a great feature when you tow or load up; you just crank the rear ones up.

 

Please note he said he is lowered, and the shocks weren't for a lowered truck. That would make a big difference.

 

I put on Monroe Reflex shocks and have been happy with their performance. Cheaper than the edelbrocks too. Good luck!

 

I'm looking for the same thing. I have a 98 Expy wth 76K. I replaced the OE shocks around 40 or 50K with the Monroe Truck Reflex. I am having a shaking and vibration problem when I encounter small bumps. Moreover, the front-end always bounced over speed bumps about 3-4 times NOT the 1.5 times like they are supposed to.

Not sure if the seat-o-d-pants shake is from the Reflex or not. But they do have some sort of valve system that allows them to drop instantly in rough road or holes so the tire stays in contact with the road. That does work I can say that, but I think the smooth ride is gone!

How does one tell if his shocks are bad?

If I have 26-36K on them they are probably shot...

Looking for a much smoother ride, but I also want reliablity and SAFETY!!!

 

I agree. My Stock HD Shocks were dead long before 12k miles, when I replaced them with RS-9000s. These are the best shocks I have ever used.

 

Took the Expy to a local shop. They drove it and checked everything. Could NOT find a problem with the suspension or handling.

DRIVER?

Maybe I expect too much from the Ford?

I want my Expy to drive like a Caddy like it used to.

Seems like the little annoying bumps in the road transfer the shock right to my ***... Like the shocks are not completely dampening the impact.

Might a heavier shock dampen this? Would I be giving up the ride?

 

The reason his shocks wore out at 5K is beacuse they were not the IAS shocks for lowered trucks. What happens when the truck lower than stock the shock is compressed more and causes the shock to bottom out or top out. Causing them to wear out alot faster.

IAS IMOP are the best shock on the market if you are looking a high performance shock.

 

For better handling and a more comfortable ride?

BILSTEIN SHOCKS

Arturo
Puebla, Mexico

1999 Blue Ford F-150 XLT (LOBO (Wolf) is the name of this model here in Mexico) 4.6 L, 5 speed manual, regular cab, short bed.

Extras:

· 1999 expedition wheels
· BFG Sport truck tires (285/60/16)
· Bilstein shocks.
· Eibach coils and shackles (1” front, 2” rear)
· K&N filter
· Super chip
· PIAA 9007 Super White bulbs
· Gibson Super truck exhaust system
· Putnam hitch receiver class IV
· Sony disc changer

 

rand:
my dad just put monroe reflex's on the back of his surburban (he already had them on the front)...it bounces like crazy now...(but didn't when he had the OEM shocks on the back)...so my new opinion is that monroe reflex's only work well on the front...not the back...anyhoo...

 

FYI - I have not had the same problem with my relex shocks others are noting.

 

I recently bought 4 Monroe Sensatrac shocks for my 2001 SC 5.4L F150 2WD (17k miles) and plan to install the fronts tommorrow. I just want a smoother ride on "normal" roads and highways. The oem shocks seemed stiff and felt like they transmitted too much shock from every *little* seam or *little* bump or irregularity on the road. With the $20 rebate, the 4 shocks cost $111 + $14 shpg. Has anyone had any experience with this model of Monroe on their F150 ? I don't plan on towing or carrying very heavy loads.