New Shock Time

[Ranger_Tim]

I know nothing about shock absorbers, other than how they work. I can install them or have a shop do it, depends on how busy I am. The existing shocks are Ranchos but they are so rusted I cannot read anything on them - obviously original equipment. They are not tune-able. What should I be looking for and are there better options available for the same price level? See my signature for my rig.

There has not been a noticeable problem with ride, only the age of the shocks and their appearance gives me the idea they should be replaced. Am I right? Perhaps I have not noticed any degradation to the ride quality over time. I want to replace the rear factory sway bar with a Big Wig but feel like the shocks are a better first move.

[av8rds]

I was highly disappointed in my Bilstiens, zero effect/difference. Wasted money.

[jimh406]

specta wrote:

jimh425 wrote:


Again, kind of depends on the intended use. I think that explains the difference in what people experience with their Bilsteins. For most of us, our payload is about 4-5 times what you have in your F150. Also, our trucks weigh almost twice what your F150 does when unloaded. My truck, for instance, empty at the dump is in the 9000 lb range. So, apples and oranges.

So what you're saying is that if you drive half ton truck that weighs half of what your truck does Bilsteins are a waste of money??

Why shouldn't a lighter truck experience a huge improvement?

It depends on the application as I noted. Who knows if Bilstein designed the shocks to be at max load or unloaded with a moderate load for F150s. As we all know, F150s are a lot different than Super Duty trucks. I’m making an “assumption” that he was talking about his F150 with his trailer in tow.

Based on how they’ve performed, at least some of us think Bilstein designed the 4600s for our trucks to handle our loads, and they did a good job. It’s reasonable that someone with a similar truck and load will like the performance even if it isn’t a guarantee.

I’ll leave it up to the person spending the money if it was worth it or not.

[time2roll]

jimh425 wrote:

time2roll wrote:

jimh425 wrote:
Hemi Joel, I think you would be considered an outlier considering you have a 27 year old truck with a giant triple slide. I wouldn’t imagine that any manufacturer creates shocks for your intended uses which seems to be what you are seeing. That’s not quite a Bilstein issue. I’d probably considering a doubleshocking the front and maybe even the rear, but keep an eye on the frame if you haven’t reinforced it.

Count me with Hemi. After 100k on my F150 I installed the Bills. No difference to the oem Ford shocks.

Again, kind of depends on the intended use. I think that explains the difference in what people experience with their Bilsteins. For most of us, our payload is about 4-5 times what you have in your F150. Also, our trucks weigh almost twice what your F150 does when unloaded. My truck, for instance, empty at the dump is in the 9000 lb range. So, apples and oranges.

My small fifth wheel puts me at or slightly above max payload and GVWR. Bills were no better at controlling bounce than the oem at 100k miles. Maybe I am just saying the Ford shocks must be pretty good.

[bighatnohorse]

stevenal wrote:

specta wrote:
When your shocks wear out its a gradual thing until one day you find your vehicle bouncing for a half a mile after hitting an overpass.
At that point any new shock is going to be an improvement.

I don't understand how shocks will help after you've done the canopener thing. Bouncing I think is the least of your worries.

I love your ability to see things as they are!

[specta]

jimh425 wrote:


Again, kind of depends on the intended use. I think that explains the difference in what people experience with their Bilsteins. For most of us, our payload is about 4-5 times what you have in your F150. Also, our trucks weigh almost twice what your F150 does when unloaded. My truck, for instance, empty at the dump is in the 9000 lb range. So, apples and oranges.

So what you're saying is that if you drive half ton truck that weighs half of what your truck does Bilsteins are a waste of money??

Why shouldn't a lighter truck experience a huge improvement?

[jimh406]

time2roll wrote:

jimh425 wrote:
Hemi Joel, I think you would be considered an outlier considering you have a 27 year old truck with a giant triple slide. I wouldn’t imagine that any manufacturer creates shocks for your intended uses which seems to be what you are seeing. That’s not quite a Bilstein issue. I’d probably considering a doubleshocking the front and maybe even the rear, but keep an eye on the frame if you haven’t reinforced it.

Count me with Hemi. After 100k on my F150 I installed the Bills. No difference to the oem Ford shocks.

Again, kind of depends on the intended use. I think that explains the difference in what people experience with their Bilsteins. For most of us, our payload is about 4-5 times what you have in your F150. Also, our trucks weigh almost twice what your F150 does when unloaded. My truck, for instance, empty at the dump is in the 9000 lb range. So, apples and oranges.

[Buzzcut1]

stevenal wrote:

specta wrote:
When your shocks wear out its a gradual thing until one day you find your vehicle bouncing for a half a mile after hitting an overpass.
At that point any new shock is going to be an improvement.

I don't understand how shocks will help after you've done the canopener thing. Bouncing I think is the least of your worries.

I believe he is refering to the poor transitions that most overpasses have at each end due to settlement at the abutments.

[time2roll]

jimh425 wrote:
Hemi Joel, I think you would be considered an outlier considering you have a 27 year old truck with a giant triple slide. I wouldn’t imagine that any manufacturer creates shocks for your intended uses which seems to be what you are seeing. That’s not quite a Bilstein issue. I’d probably considering a doubleshocking the front and maybe even the rear, but keep an eye on the frame if you haven’t reinforced it.

Count me with Hemi. After 100k on my F150 I installed the Bills. No difference to the oem Ford shocks.

[stevenal]

specta wrote:
When your shocks wear out its a gradual thing until one day you find your vehicle bouncing for a half a mile after hitting an overpass.
At that point any new shock is going to be an improvement.

I don't understand how shocks will help after you've done the canopener thing. Bouncing I think is the least of your worries.

[Hemi_Joel]

My shock story happened back when i had the Arctic Fox 1150, not the Eagle Cap. Still a big heavy camper that needs a good stiff shock.

[Bedlam]

I had the 9000 series Rancho and was happy with the adjustment. Once I tuned them in to my setup, I did not change them, but 8 was glad to have initial ability to tune the ride.

The Ford branded Rancho shocks are poor for heavy loads and were not suggested for hauling heavy loads - They provide better unloaded ride.

[Nemo667]

jimh425 wrote:
We found the Bilstein 4600s a big improvement over the stock shocks with 100k on them.

+1

[MORSNOW]

I changed out my OEM shocks at 35,000 miles for Bilstein 4600's, WOW what an improvement. Just like good tires, you'll instantly feel the difference. Much less sway and porpoise effect while on the road. Like everything in life, there is no "best" only what works the best for you.

[Grit_dog]

Hemi Joel wrote:
I replaced my 140,000 mile, 20 year old rear shocks, and 50,000 mile Monromatic fronts with the magic big dollar Bilstein 4600's. Due to internet recommendations. They were worse than the old worn out shocks. Worse thing I
I've ever done to my truck. I ended up taking them off and selling them on facebook for a 75% loss. I put Rancho 9000 adjustables on the back, and Monroe gas matics on the front (because rancho 9000's aren't available for the front of my truck)
I love the ranchos on the rear, they are awesome. THe monroes on the front are way better than the bilstiens, but still a little soft.

You're saying the Bilsteins were too soft?
Doesn't seem plausible compared to the Monroe shocks. Maybe softer than 9000s cranked up.

[Grit_dog]

narcodog wrote:
My Rancho 9000's are 17 years old and have about 150K miles on them. They seem to be just fine.

You probably have the longest lasting set of Ranchos ever!