Do I Need Front Struts?

[JohnnyO]

Just ordered new rear shocks from Rock Auto for the second time. Replaced the OE's at 45k, they were blown, and now I'm coming up on 123k on the plain old Monroe Gas and it feels a little soft and one is weeping a bit of oil.
The front seems fine but is there a way to tell if they're worn out or just wait until they leak? In my experience with other vehicles like Fox bodies struts last a lot longer than shocks.
Truck does not go off-road and rarely tows anything.
TIA.

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[Andrew27]

I replaced mine on all four corners on my 23 FX4 at around 1,000 miles with Bilstein 4600s. Once apart, I was able to see the fronts were already starting to leak. No joke. So I’d say with 123,000 that you could benefit from any new shock on the front. Even quick strut type assemblies would be fine.

 

[ctechbob]

They're shocks on all 4 corners.

Yes, replace the fronts, factory Ford shocks are meh on a good day.

 

[Frenchy]

It would be an excellent idea especially since most shocks and struts only last about 50,000 miles.

 

[got3fords]

They're shocks on all 4 corners.

Yes, replace the fronts, factory Ford shocks are meh on a good day.

True! Coil over shocks up front.

 

[got3fords]

You will absolutely notice a difference and have a better ride. Shocks rarely suddenly go bad, they wear slowly over time, such that you don't notice it.

 

[Frenchy]

They're shocks on all 4 corners.

Yes, replace the fronts, factory Ford shocks are meh on a good day.

Correction, the fronts are struts because they support the weight of the vehicle while controlling the weight as well. Shock absorbers only control the vehicle weight. BTW struts don't necessarily have to replace upper control arm just to get the name.

 

[Big Blue]

Correction, the fronts are struts because they support the weight of the vehicle while controlling the weight as well. Shock absorbers only control the vehicle weight. BTW struts don't necessarily have to replace upper control arm just to get the name.

The term strut has become a very generisized term. It has come to mean both the actual strut assembly used in a strut suspension and the coil over assembly used in our trucks suspension.

Technically our trucks do not have struts, we have coil over shocks. We have a very conventional double wishbone independent front suspension, where the upper and lower control arms actually control the motion of the front wheels.

In a strut suspension, the strut actually replaces the upper control arms and acts as the upper control for the vertical travel of the wheel. The shock (damper) is a cartridge is internal to the strut and the spring is mounted externally.

Most modern body on frame vehicles will use a coil over shock type suspension due to the coil over being a more compact and adjustable method than a separate shock and spring arrangement. The double wishbone suspension is more durable for heavier duty vehicles.

Strut suspensions are almost exclusively used in unit-body constructed vehicles. They are a simpler more compact assembly.

So in reality, I guess either term is correct. Personally I consider all four of them shocks. As they can be changed independently.

 

[got3fords]

The term strut has become a very generisized term. It has come to mean both the actual strut assembly used in a strut suspension and the coil over assembly used in our trucks suspension.

Technically our trucks do not have struts, we have coil over shocks. We have a very conventional double wishbone independent front suspension, where the upper and lower control arms actually control the motion of the front wheels.

In a strut suspension, the strut actually replaces the upper control arms and acts as the upper control for the vertical travel of the wheel. The shock (damper) is a cartridge is internal to the strut and the spring is mounted externally.

Most modern body on frame vehicles will use a coil over shock type suspension due to the coil over being a more compact and adjustable method than a separate shock and spring arrangement. The double wishbone suspension is more durable for heavier duty vehicles.

Strut suspensions are almost exclusively used in unit-body constructed vehicles. They are a simpler more compact assembly.

So in reality, I guess either term is correct. Personally I consider all four of them shocks. As they can be changed independently.

Great explanation. Coil over shocks is more accurate.

 

[Frenchy]

The term strut has become a very generisized term. It has come to mean both the actual strut assembly used in a strut suspension and the coil over assembly used in our trucks suspension.

Technically our trucks do not have struts, we have coil over shocks. We have a very conventional double wishbone independent front suspension, where the upper and lower control arms actually control the motion of the front wheels.

In a strut suspension, the strut actually replaces the upper control arms and acts as the upper control for the vertical travel of the wheel. The shock (damper) is a cartridge is internal to the strut and the spring is mounted externally.

Most modern body on frame vehicles will use a coil over shock type suspension due to the coil over being a more compact and adjustable method than a separate shock and spring arrangement. The double wishbone suspension is more durable for heavier duty vehicles.

Strut suspensions are almost exclusively used in unit-body constructed vehicles. They are a simpler more compact assembly.

So in reality, I guess either term is correct. Personally I consider all four of them shocks. As they can be changed independently.

Yes and no.

The control arms limit the overall allowed movement for wheel travel(assuming shocks and struts don't have more limitations). As for the controlling factor that will be the shock and strut. Without them your truck will bounce like "Uncle Buck's" car.

For struts you have two types. It all depends on configuration of the vehicle. You have strut suspension which is more common on unibody type vehicles and you have SLA Strut which the Ranger and other modern trucks and SUV's with body on frame and IFS have. Because of this a Strut doesn't have to take the job of an upper control arm if the vehicle suspension doesn't need it to.

 

[got3fords]

Here is the complete front suspension parts break down. No mention of strut here.
https://ford.oempartsonline.com/v-2021-ford-ranger--lariat--2-3l-l4-gas/suspension--front-suspension

 

[Frenchy]

Here is the complete front suspension parts break down. No mention of strut here.
https://ford.oempartsonline.com/v-2021-ford-ranger--lariat--2-3l-l4-gas/suspension--front-suspension

Go to parts breakdown and find the alternator for me on a ford. You won't find it LOL

 

[THORNRIDER]

I installed Bilstein 5100 "Shocks" on all 4 corners of my FX2 at 10K miles. My Ranger is a road truck and these are a great system with a great ride. I put the spring on the 2nd notch which gave me a 1.5" front lift which is perfect. Yes the spring is compressed more than stock, but the ride is perfect IMO. The FX comes with upgraded shocks but the 5100 is a far superior shock and will last a long time.

 

[got3fords]

Go to parts breakdown and find the alternator for me on a ford. You won't find it LOL

You mean this one?
https://ford.oempartsonline.com/v-2021-ford-ranger--lariat--2-3l-l4-gas/electrical--alternator

 

[Frenchy]

You mean this one?
https://ford.oempartsonline.com/v-2021-ford-ranger--lariat--2-3l-l4-gas/electrical--alternator

Funny thing is Ford actually refers to it as a Generator because calling it an Alternator is too cool.

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