want to buy shocks once

[2big bronco]

looking for the best shocks for the front of my 02 leaf sprung 4x4 superduty. If i could buy them and expect another 200,000 that would be great.

[TrailTamer XJ]

Bilstein

[2big bronco]

any particular model better for heavy trucks?

[BassnTruck]

Your question is so full of ignorance and fail.

No, and I will say it again, NO, shock or strut lasts 200k or even 100k, and still preforms as intended new. They are one of the most neglected wear items on a vehicle. New and proper functioning ones do make a big difference in handling and stopping distance.

[2big bronco]

if i wasnt ignorant on the topic i wouldnt be asking the question. So if your the resident expert on shocks and vehicle upkeep what shocks would you run?

[Dustin Smith]

I would still recommend Bilsteins..

But I sure as hell wouldn't expect more than 50k out of them, and even that is the upper limit, depending on truck, driving habits, and typical terrain traveled. What you are currently seeing is the absolute buckboard stiffness of the Superduty leaf springs. Bad shocks do not show themselves in these trucks at all in normal driving. Hell, I drove mine for a week or so without shocks at all when I was reworking the shock towers, and in typical driving, you could tell no difference. That being said, in towing and evasive driving scenarios, bad shocks rapidly rear their head.

[jraoffroad]

Originally Posted by BassnTruck

NO, shock or strut lasts 200k or even 100k, and still preforms as intended new. They are one of the most neglected wear items on a vehicle. New and proper functioning ones do make a big difference in handling and stopping distance.

This.

I run a decent shock and replace them every time a new set of tires goes on.

[Alcatraz]

Monroe shocks and struts carry a lifetime warranty, even against normal wear. Rancho shocks are made by Monroe. Go buy a set of Ranch 9000s. Happy motoring.

While employed at Firestone we sold Monroe almost exclusively because of their lifetime warranty. While at a class with Monroe I specifically asked about RS 9000 and off-road abuse. I was told that it did not matter, the warranty was for the life of the vehicle.

[me2]

I tested Rancho 9000s, Monroes, but there are several different Monroes and Bilstein 5100s on my old truck. Of those the 5100s were the best, by far.

However, I just installed Bilstein 5160s on my new truck.

$190 per shock, they are remote reservoirs and can be rebuilt and retuned with 7100 parts. Most 5100s cannot be.

The 5160s are also supposed to be smoother than the 5100s which can get harsh at the end of their stroke. They also have longer travel for a given body length because the nitrogen and divider piston are in the reservoir, not in the shock body.

My 5160s should be the last set of shocks I buy for this truck. Between rebuilding them and tuning them if I want to change the ride, I shouldn't have to buy another set again.

I'll update this thread with ride impressions in a few weeks. PM me if I forget.

[Blind Driver]

Originally Posted by TrailTamer XJ

Bilstein

Originally Posted by Dustin Smith

I would still recommend Bilsteins..

Agreed.

[brewchief]

I think I'm over 80k on my bilsteins and they still work about as good as when I first installed them, the rubber bushings are pretty much worn out however and making some rattles.

Ride quality didn't seem to improve but handling on washboard gravel roads was WAY better, rear end no longer tried to pass the front even at speeds much faster then I should be going.

[takotruckin]

Originally Posted by me2

However, I just installed Bilstein 5160s on my new truck.



I'll update this thread with ride impressions in a few weeks. PM me if I forget.

I thought your truck was going under the knife and didn't run?


I put 5160s on the front of my '00 F250, and they work AWESOME. I beat the hell out of the truck off road and they never fade. My old standard gas shocks would fade after a little bit of dirt road driving, and the shafts were blue from getting so hot, the 5160s never get more than warm. I will probably go with another set in the rear once I get my lower mounts figured out.

[SkooledMedic]

buy Bilstein's and be done with it. either 5150s or 5160s

run them till they "need to be replaced", then send them to Bilstein or someone to be rebuilt.

Profit.

[RGRHASH]

Anyone know what the going rate on a shock rebuild is?

[SkooledMedic]

I want to say its like $65 per, through Bilstein

[BassnTruck]

Originally Posted by brewchief

I think I'm over 80k on my bilsteins and they still work about as good as when I first installed them, the rubber bushings are pretty much worn out however and making some rattles.

Ride quality didn't seem to improve but handling on washboard gravel roads was WAY better, rear end no longer tried to pass the front even at speeds much faster then I should be going.

Want to bet they are no where near as good as new?

The sole reason people think like this is because it is a very slowly degrading thing that makes it hard for most people to notice over time. With out putting then on a shock dyno or running tests your average Joe will think they are fine.

The fact you say they are fine but the bushing are toast makes me .

[Beat95YJ]

A monotube shock will easily last 100k miles on a tow rig. The discs really don't wear and unless you cook them the oil retains consistent viscosity. I have tested bilsteins and others in the lab using gm durability requirements and they last a long time.

If they arent leaking and aren't discolored from heat, run them.

[brewchief]

Originally Posted by BassnTruck

Want to bet they are no where near as good as new?

The sole reason people think like this is because it is a very slowly degrading thing that makes it hard for most people to notice over time. With out putting then on a shock dyno or running tests your average Joe will think they are fine.

The fact you say they are fine but the bushing are toast makes me .

I had a chance to pick up some bushings today and swapped out a bad one, gas pressure was very good but not quite as good as new, I still needed two hands to compress the shock to fit the mount however. I can still drive faster on washboard dirt roads then I should, maybe the bilstiens aren't 100% any more, they are however still better then the factory shocks and the set of monroes that replaced those even when when they were new.

Originally Posted by Beat95YJ

A monotube shock will easily last 100k miles on a tow rig. The discs really don't wear and unless you cook them the oil retains consistent viscosity. I have tested bilsteins and others in the lab using gm durability requirements and they last a long time.

If they arent leaking and aren't discolored from heat, run them.

No leaks and the only discoloration is rust, not many opportunities around here to run a CCLB hard enough and long enough to cook a set of shocks.