Don't Discount the Value of Front Shocks

[paval3]

I'd have to disagree with that. Offroad shocks are going to have weak rebound compared to something you'd want for controlling a heavy load. You want an offroad shock to extend to its limit quicker than you would something having to control a heavy load.



Fronts are anywhere from a little more involved to a bit more than that involved. 2WD trucks you need to break the upper ball joint, 4WD ones you also have to pull the CV Axle out. Plus you will need to compress the springs to get them back assembled with the new shock.

Doable by a home gamer, but you need to be comfortable dealing with big springs and you will need at least a set of spring compressors. Of course, you could always pull the assembly yourself and pay a shop to put them back together.

I should have been more clear.... not looking to do it myself, was kinda trying to figure out how involved and what kind of shop bill I might expect because of what's involved.

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[Grandaccess]

Notice the part where I mentioned it Depends on the Shock? It also depends on the type of OffRoad Driving you are doing since there are many different types. Most of us do what you would like to call Touring or Overlanding as it is also known. Others like to do the BAJA style desert running. Some like to do Rock Crawling with dedicated Rock Crawlers(some not so much with a dedicated Rock Crawler). Different applications like such will require different shocks.if going for Touring(which is what I do) then you still need a shock that is going to handle high speeds on the Highway. Simply put the vehicle has to be balanced. A Rock Crawler on the other hand will most likely have shocks that don't like to handle the high speeds.

Certain companies like ARB(Old Man EMU) and Dobinsons will focus on Touring. Others like Fox and Kind will most likely focus on the BAJA type of stuff, but at the same time are almost universal in a way. Some companies like Rough country and Skyjacker focus on nothing but how high they can get a vehicle so the male counterpart can compensate for what they are lacking.

Put simple it still depends on the application

hey I have a Rough Country Lift LOL
I tow a lot, and play farm hand a few times a week ...

 

[Superspirit]

I was thinking about being lazy and paying a shop, the estimate I got was $500 labor. I got unlazy real quick.

 

[Ninong]

ICON Stage III and couldn't be happier. Handling and control are so much better than the FX4 stuff.(?)

 

[dtech]

Everyone always recommends replacing the rear shocks on trucks for serious towing duty. That never really sat quite right with me as I'm usually in the 'I prefer a matched set' camp. When I first started towing seriously with the Ranger I upgraded the rear like a lot of other people and figured I'd get around to the fronts sooner or later.

Don't wait.

Do all 4 at the same time.

Yesterday we took a short trip up to the TN mountains just west of Chattanooga. Heavy wind most of the way. With the new Bilsteins in the front of the truck to match the rear it was so much better than the stock FX package shocks in the front. I had figured it would be, but I was surprised at the difference. Wish I'd done them all at the same time.

I still can't figure out how the Ford engineers managed to make a shock too soft, yet crashy over bumps all at the same time.

I'm towing a 4,200 lbs (dry) single axle travel trailer, put a E2 roundbar hitch on it, but tows about the same without it, when I hit a stretch of undulated pavement the trailer and the Ranger will bounce up and down some, nothing severe but figure it's probably caused by the shocks.

 

[Jason B]

So, if and when I put new shocks at all 4, I'll probably do it myself. I have experience with rebuilding the front end on my '95 F150 and '99 B4000 4wd. Will replacing just the shocks require an alignment be done?

 

[ctechbob]

So, if and when I put new shocks at all 4, I'll probably do it myself. I have experience with rebuilding the front end on my '95 F150 and '99 B4000 4wd. Will replacing just the shocks require an alignment be done?

As long as you are not changing the ride height, no. If you've had odd tire wear before, or experience it after, then yes.

If you have a good shop, it wouldn't hurt to at least have it checked, but 100% necessary, probably not.

 

[Todd Chapin]

No kidding? That's why upgrading the fronts with the rear is a good idea.

And why FX package shocks are garbage for towing. The valving they are made with is both too soft and too abrupt. How they managed that only Ford knows.

Stock FX shocks are garbage. Any aftermarket shock is an improvement.

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