Recommendation? F150 Shocks?

[SeaKaye12]

Hi,

It's a 1998 Ford F150 with the 4.6 V8; Extended cab; Short Bed. Used for pleasure and for towing my runabout (mainly on the Interstate)

If money was not the object (after all; no shocks are THAT expensive) what brand/model of shock absorber would you recommend?

I just want the nicest ride I can get...with the best handling. Nothing unusual I guess.

There are so many models available and what with all the hype...I haven't a clue what to buy.

Advise Please?

Thanks, Chuck

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Recommendation? F150 Shocks?

Blisten.

97-03 F-150
HD F4-BE5-2478-H0 F4-BE5-2479-H0
SP F4-BE5-2478-H1 F4-BE5-2479-H1
Most parts houses carry them.​

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Recommendation? F150 Shocks?

I agree,The Bilstien are a great shock.They came factory on my Tahoe.I replaced them with Napas best shock and the new ones rode terrible.Went back to Bilstien...Get what you pay for in shocks..

 

[Major Woods]

Re: Recommendation? F150 Shocks?

I have to agree with the Bilstien, if my vechical did not come with them as stock, I switched to them when the originals wore out.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Recommendation? F150 Shocks?

I have had Rancho RSXs on my 97 expediton and been very happy with the handling..

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Recommendation? F150 Shocks?

I have no idea what type of shocks are on my 2006 Ford F-150 STX but that truck rides like a Cadillac, very very smooth. I only have a V6 in mine , never will be able to afford a V8. Nicest truck I have owned or was until I banged it up a little here and there (not by an accident) but from hauling and a couple other misshapes. Not to hog the thread but what is the towing capacity SeaKaye12 on your year compared to mine, I'll half to look mine up. Hauled a 650 John Deere tractor on the back of mine by trailer, my father has borrowed it to haul logs by a trailer.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Recommendation? F150 Shocks?

Factory oil shock is the only way to go. Never go with a gas shock. Becouse that beat the crap out of your truck.

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Recommendation? F150 Shocks?

So; the Bilstiens are gas shocks? I should look up the intended purposes of both gas shocks and oil shocks then....

That's what I've been finding difficult....each mfgr has multiple shocks for each vehicle. Hard to decipher the characteristics of each one.

Of course I want good handling...but I want a smooth ride too....

Thanks for the replies so far...

Wildmanimal...I'll have to look up the tow capacity. Mine's a small V8; so I doubt that it's very high.

Chuck

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Recommendation? F150 Shocks?

This is the way i look at it. A oil shock only dampens the unsprung weight
"If you dont know what unsprung weight is its the tires and axle assembly"
this is the purpose of the shock. Gas shocks have a gas charge in them.
The gas charge is used to compensate for spring fatigue. The constant outward presser of the gas shock beats the crap out of the shock mounts. Putting a gas charge in a shock is a cheap way to achieve what a oil shock does very well. One last thing oil shocks last longer becouse thay are not under constant psi from the gas.

 

[rwise]

Re: Recommendation? F150 Shocks?

went Monroe gasmatics (I think thats what they called them) on my truck, what a dif!