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New Shock Time

Ranger_Tim
Explorer
Explorer
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.
Ranger Tim
2006 F-350 Super Crew King Ranch SRW Bulletproofed
2016 Wolf Creek 840
Upper and Lower StableLoads
43 REPLIES 43

specta
Explorer
Explorer
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.

Too bad there's not a way to try 2-3 different brands for a few hundred miles each so you could see if there really is a difference.

I see this all the time in the ATV tire world.

The factory tires are as cheap of a tire as they can find to keep cost and weight down. Then people buy their first set of tires and think they are the greatest tire in the world even though they have never experienced any other tires.

I don't care for the most popular ATV tire out there.

But then I've been able to test 7-8 different tires for about 200 miles each. So I got to experience different tires under the same conditions and the difference between them became obvious.

If we could do this with shocks maybe some folks would change their minds in what they think are the best.

I did as much research as I could and bought what I felt would be the best for me.
Kenny
1996 Jayco 376FB Eagle Series TT
1997 Jayco 246FB Eagle Series TT
1976 Ford F-250 4wd Mercury Marauder 410 - 4V
Regular cabs. The best looking trucks.

jimh406
Explorer III
Explorer III
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.

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member

Hemi_Joel
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2018 Eagle Cap 1163 triple slide, 400W solar, MPPT, on a 93 Dodge D350 Cummins, DTT 89 torque converter, big turbo, 3 extra main leafs, Rancho 9000s rear, Monroe gas magnums front, upper overloads removed, home made stableloads, bags.

bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Explorer II
Rust or not, I would leave them.

Bilstien?: one leaked on my Jeep.

I replaced the Bilstiens with like-kind on the Jeep. No improvement.
I wish that I had gone with a Rancho 9000 for the adjustable feature.
2021 Arctic Fox 1150
'15 F350 6.7 diesel dually long bed
Eagle Cap Owners
“The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
-Yeats

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

specta
Explorer
Explorer
I'm happy with my Monroe Reflex shocks.
They replace the OE shocks at 170,000 miles.
Kenny
1996 Jayco 376FB Eagle Series TT
1997 Jayco 246FB Eagle Series TT
1976 Ford F-250 4wd Mercury Marauder 410 - 4V
Regular cabs. The best looking trucks.

noteven
Explorer III
Explorer III
It’s time for Bilsteins on my F three fitty camper truck. The work good on the Fargo.

Boondocking2019
Explorer
Explorer
5100 Bilstein’s on my 2012 F350. I like them over the OEM Ranchos that Ford put on their Super Duty’s.

StirCrazy
Navigator
Navigator
Bilstein's are the way to go.

Steve
2014 F350 6.7 Platinum
2016 Cougar 330RBK
1991 Slumberqueen WS100

_1Flyboy
Explorer
Explorer
... For me either Koni or Bilstein... If they are available for the make & model...

jimh406
Explorer III
Explorer III
We found the Bilstein 4600s a big improvement over the stock shocks with 100k on them.

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member

jdc1
Explorer II
Explorer II
You're happy with the shocks you have? Stick with them...you got 14 years out of them.Why pay extra for some brand name?

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
My next shocks will be KYB Monomax. But I don't have a truck camper.

Geo_Boy
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have been very happy with Bilstein’s on both of my trucks.