Shock Replacement Advice

[old_home]

Good Evening All,

I need some advice on shock absorber, but first some parameters.

I am driving a 1994 Ford F-150 XL 5.0 short wheel base. Approx 147,000 miles.

Pulling a 2016 Bambi Sport 22FB, base unit weight approx 3600+ (According to Owners manual).

I am wanting to replace my shocks with the Bilstein brand. Note, getting recommendations from the Bilstein web page is quite tricky. I spoke with a local shop who suggested the 4600 Bilstein shock, but I’m wondering if perhaps I should go with the 5100 having the lift capability of 2 to 4 inch’s.

The question, Has anyone run into a similar issue? What model of Bilstein is on your TV? Plus any other. General advice if you have some to share as I’d certainly appreciate your input.

Oh side note, I did perform a search in this forum, but really didn’t find anything interesting.

Thanks in Advance

[DaveP]

I added Bilstein 5100 shocks to my 2014 F150 FX4. It was a great improvement to the ride of the truck and how it handles sway from the trailer. I would highly recommend them for pulling Airstreams. The mounting of the shocks on a 2014 are further to the outside than on a 1994 so you may not see a much improvement.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

If you are looking at shocks, the thing to watch on the trailer is the tongue weight rather than the overall weight. You also need to consider how much there will be loaded into the truck as cargo and passengers. Work that out first. Then take a look at what your WD hitch (if you have one) is doing to the axle weights.

Once you have all that you can make a better call in terms of shocks (any brand). Without that information you are very much flying blind when picking them.

Bob

[turk123]

When I was looking for shocks for my F-250 I called Bilstein to see what they would recommend. They were very helpful and had me wait for a new product that matched my year of truck. I would talk directly to them.

[crispyboy]

My pickup truck and Jeep Grand Cherokee are both stock height so I use the 4600 series shock. I have been happy with these shocks and would buy them again. I believe the 5100 series shocks are for trucks with a 0" to 2" lifted trucks and are valved similarly to the 4600 series. It would be best for you to call Bilstein for the most correct information.

[Pubtym]

I tow a 2019 26 foot Flying Cloud trailer with a 2018 2WD F-150 XLT with factory tow package. Ride from rear shocks seems rough. What do you think replacing the rear shocks with the Bilstein 5100 series will do to the tow ball height on an Anderson Hitch?

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by Pubtym

I tow a 2019 26 foot Flying Cloud trailer with a 2018 2WD F-150 XLT with factory tow package. Ride from rear shocks seems rough. What do you think replacing the rear shocks with the Bilstein 5100 series will do to the tow ball height on an Anderson Hitch?

I would verify the amount of weight being distributed by your setup before proceeding. Anderson hitches might be good at sway control, but their ability to transfer weight is questionable, IMO. Your 26 most likely has around 1K of hitch weight

[Pubtym]

8-9 K. Rear bed.

Bilstein Model 4600 might be better for my rig setup.

[Vantair]

Although we have a different truck, 2014 GMC 1500 4x4 Denali at 30k miles went with the 5100s. 0 lift setting.

In summary, less mooshy or leaning when empty, loaded up or cornering.
Another poster stated it well, “a more positive authoritative ride”. Slightly stiffer non towing but far better ride and control over all and the stock shocks for certain.

Would buy them again for sure.

[daleyocum]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

I would verify the amount of weight being distributed by your setup before proceeding. Anderson hitches might be good at sway control, but their ability to transfer weight is questionable, IMO. Your 26 most likely has around 1K of hitch weight

I tow a FC25 with a 2019 F150 XLT with Max tow and 1,800+ payload per the door sticker. The Bilstein shocks made all the difference over the silly light duty stock shocks when it comes to porpoising. When the mechanic removed the stock shocks he showed me how you could just move the shafts in and out by hand!

Keep in mind the shocks are just dampers. They don’t effect payload capacity but rather arrest the vehicle’s tendency to oscillate over bumps. I use a Blue Ox hitch to transfer the weight. I was planning on using Anderson but after researching it did seem more limited in it’s ability to transfer the amount of weight I needed to.

[dmbecke]

You might consider air shocks that allow you to adjust to the ride and control your looking for

[Pubtym]

Dalyeocum,

I have 23K miles on my truck. 11K are towing the trailer over some "less than perfect roads."

How many miles did you have on your truck before change out?

Also, did you go with the 4600 series or 5100 series?

[Pubtym]

Originally Posted by Pubtym

Dalyeocum,

I have 23K miles on my truck. 11K are towing the trailer over some "less than perfect roads."

How many miles did you have on your truck before change out?

Also, did you go with the 4600 series or 5100 series?

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I called service and tech branch at Bilstein. They provided me the following 4600 Series for my truck.

Front: 24-253208
Rear: 33-253213

Ordered all today at Amazon.

[daleyocum]

Originally Posted by Pubtym

Dalyeocum,

I have 23K miles on my truck. 11K are towing the trailer over some "less than perfect roads."

How many miles did you have on your truck before change out?

Also, did you go with the 4600 series or 5100 series?

I changed mine on the 2019 out immediately after towing the trailer once, so maybe 100 miles in. I had a 2016 F150 with airbag adjustable shocks before this one so I knew what it could be. Instead of airbags on this truck I went with the Bilsteins and, just like others have reported. Either Airbags or Bilsteins solve the problem, changing the shocks is cheaper and less complexity. It may be a truck with Ford's FX4 "off the road" package, which is really just upgraded shocks and protective plates under the chassis, may do the job as well. I haven't tried that alternative.

We may just be especially sensitive to that porpoising motion and notice it even on cracks and joints in freeways.

I used the 5100s but the non-adjustable 4600s are probably fine as well since my truck isn't lifted.