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12-29-2006, 08:22 PM
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#1
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1996 34' Classic
1996 34' Excella
Culpeper
, Virginia
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 392
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TV Shock replacement recommendations
All,
I've got a 2005 F-150 4X4 SuperCab with 5.4L and about 16k miles. The truck rides well but "floats" when going over undulating roads (surface streets and Interstate). I want to stiffen up the suspension and improve handling for both the TV and TT.
The local parts store recommends Bilsteins and says that there are very few choices for a truck this new. JC Whitney has a couple of options but I'd like to hear from anyone out there in AS land who has a recommendation.
Thanks,
FT
P.S. I've searched the threads here and most of the TV shock questions are a couple of years old.
__________________
FordTruck
2016 GMC 2500HD Denali (Betsy 4)
1996 34' Excella 1000 (Arvin3 as this is our 3rd AS)
Fair is where they put ribbons on pigs.
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12-29-2006, 08:28 PM
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#2
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Bilsteins seem to be pretty good. A number of new trucks come with them from the factory and I have then on my sedan.
I got mine from shox.com at the time a few years ago, they had the best price on them.
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12-29-2006, 08:29 PM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
2013 31' Classic
Crossville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 461
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Bilsteins.
Try shox.com
__________________
steelbird312 WBCCI #6673 jerry Hodge
2013 31" Classic limited
Have no intention of arriving at the grave safely, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, throttle in the other, totally worn out and screaming
"WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE!"
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12-29-2006, 08:41 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1960 24' Tradewind
santa barbara
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,352
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The other option I would say is KYB, another great shock that has found its way from import racing in the 70s to mainstream vehicals of today .Carquest auto parts stores have drop Gabriel and now offer KYB for most all vehicals .
Scott
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12-29-2006, 08:49 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
Cleveland
, Tennessee
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 24
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I have replaced shocks on two of our trucks we use for towing with bilsteins. One a 3/4 ton the other a 1 ton and they helped alot but the old ones were wore out. I don't know how much difference you are going to noticed with new shocks with such few miles on yours.
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12-29-2006, 08:49 PM
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#6
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottanlily
The other option I would say is KYB, another great shock that has found its way from import racing in the 70s to mainstream vehicals of today .Carquest auto parts stores have drop Gabriel and now offer KYB for most all vehicals .
Scott
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Are the KYBs the adjustable ones?
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12-30-2006, 11:02 AM
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#7
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_
.
, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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hi fordtruck...
the shocks may make a difference, but i'd do 2 other things first...
-check air pressure in the tires....what are you running?
just a few psi difference can be equated to higher spring ratings.
-add a rear anti sway bar with polyurethane bushings,
and consider a larger/stiffer bar on the front,
or at least change the bushings from rubber/butyl to polyurethane...
imo you will notice tire adjustments and the anti sway bars more than shocks and the modificationn is much easier to do...
i'm sure lots of guys on the ford truck forums have dealt with this issue too...
cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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12-30-2006, 12:50 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2004 30' Classic Slideout
2021 33FB Classic
Colleyville
, TX
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,540
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Rancho 9000s
Hey there Ford Truck,
You may wish to investigate the Rancho 9000, manually adjusted shocks with a lifetime guarantee. Once my factory shocks wore out on my previous TV, I installed the Ranchos. They worked great even though I didn't get to test out the lifetime bit. The only problem is getting under the TV to dial in the settings prior to towing the Airstream. Rancho also makes some that you can dial in from inside your TV, howeve; all the air lines, possibility of problems and added cost didn't seem practical to me. Once my current shocks get spongy I'll go back to the Ranchos. Bilsteins are a great procuct as well. Good luck with your decision and Happy Trails
__________________
In dog years, I'm dead!
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12-30-2006, 01:27 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
1964 17' Bambi II
Santa Cruz
, California
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 319
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Rancho 9000 or Bilstein..
Hi FordTruck,
For non-adjustable I'd go with Bilstein...
For adjustable the Rancho 9000 work very well.
I used the Ranchos on my previous truck with a cab-over camper. I set them on soft (# 1) when the truck was empty, and on firm (# 5) when I hauled the camper. They really made a difference.
__________________
Mark
1964 17' Bambi II
2005 Dodge 2500 PowerWagon -5.7 Hemi
WBCCI #4207
AIR #11485
"you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows" ~bob dylan
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12-30-2006, 02:11 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1998 31' Excella 1000
South Berwick
, Maine
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 709
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I installed the Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks and a Hellwig rear sway bar. Ordered the shocks from Sam's Off Road - had a good deal, buy 3 get 1 free. The OEM shocks were junk. Big difference with the new ones. The jury's still out on the sway bar. I think any quality aftermarket shock will make a noticeable difference.
__________________
WBCCI 24291
New England Unit
Metropolitan NY Unit
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12-30-2006, 02:21 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1971 27' Overlander
Central
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,365
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Have you thought about talking to a dealer or after market truck place about adding a leaf or two to the springs. May be a better more cost effective long term solution...?
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12-30-2006, 03:03 PM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
1964 17' Bambi II
Santa Cruz
, California
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ganglin
Have you thought about talking to a dealer or after market truck place about adding a leaf or two to the springs. May be a better more cost effective long term solution...?
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IMHO, Air Bags are a good choice because you can let the air out for a smoother ride when your truck is unladen, and you can add air for better load handling. Air Bags will NOT increace your payload capacity.
I used Air Bags on my previous truck/cab-over camper with very good results.
__________________
Mark
1964 17' Bambi II
2005 Dodge 2500 PowerWagon -5.7 Hemi
WBCCI #4207
AIR #11485
"you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows" ~bob dylan
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12-30-2006, 07:47 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1986 25' Sovereign
Southern Middle
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,319
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Edelbrock!
__________________
Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
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12-30-2006, 10:05 PM
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#14
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidz71
Edelbrock!
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Didn't know they made shocks.
How do you like your Mag-Hytec diff cover Craig?
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12-30-2006, 11:26 PM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
2005 25' International CCD
1960 18' "Footer"
1959 26' Overlander
Riverside
, California
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 339
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KYB are good shocks but in my experience too stiff. Air bags help support weight but not dampen the suspension movement. Bilsteins are the only choice. Most factory off-road suspensions, Toyota, GM, Dodge Power Wagon, etc. use them. I have had them on Two Saabs (factory installed on our Turbo), two Jeep Cherokees and one Dodge pickup.
__________________
Don (KD6UVT) & Gail Williams
What do you want to be in life, a spectator or a participant?
SNU #157
FCU #004
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12-31-2006, 12:01 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1986 25' Sovereign
Southern Middle
, Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie
Didn't know they made shocks.
How do you like your Mag-Hytec diff cover Craig?
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The Edelbrock shocks have been around for a few years and have special valving. You might look up their info. Bilsteins have always been good as many early Chevy Z71 truck owners have found out.
The Mag-Hytec diff cover is one of the smartest additions you can make for a towing vehicle. Once you replace it, it is so easy and quick to drain the fluid at the intervals you feel comfortable with. To borrow an advertisement phrase, "It's so easy, even a cave man can do it." Thanks Geico.
__________________
Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
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