Shocks

oldwave · 08-09-2019, 08:43 PM

I’m replacing my rear shocks on my 2004 F 150. Any reason to upgrade from stock ?The truck has a tow package.

cphoenix11 · 08-09-2019, 09:01 PM

Put on Timbrens and a pair of Bilsteins... You will love them. I have a 2014 F150.... Turns so much better, handles the road better, and does not drop when u put the weight of the trailer on.

oldwave · 08-09-2019, 09:10 PM

Thanks

Patandlinda · 08-09-2019, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cphoenix11

Put on Timbrens and a pair of Bilsteins... You will love them. I have a 2014 F150.... Turns so much better, handles the road better, and does not drop when u put the weight of the trailer on.

Good to know about the Bilsteins . Have for front and rear of our truck to get put on . Pat

Greg A · 08-10-2019, 12:45 PM

I just replaced the OEM rear shocks on my Frontier with Bilsteins. I can now tow if I want without WDH which was not an option before. Massive improvement.

Patandlinda · 08-10-2019, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg A

I just replaced the OEM rear shocks on my Frontier with Bilsteins. I can now tow if I want without WDH which was not an option before. Massive improvement.

Hey Greg instead of buying a new truck , doing some improvements to the old girl . Had Bilsteins on our 79 Class C motor home and absolutely loved the ride . So can’t wait to install these . Trying to decide to just install myself or pay for it . Have done shocks in the past but getting kind of old laying on the ground and right arm not what she used to be . Need to change out some end links too in front . The rears are fine probably because truck has air bags from the camper days . Also finally upgraded the radio in truck too. Some pictures , can’t wait ! Pat

Greg A · 08-10-2019, 01:18 PM

You will love them, Pat as you well know. With my shoulder issue I paid a mobile mechanic to come bust them on. It’s a very simple job, but the bottom bolts are torqued at 150 from the factory and I don’t have an air wrench, so went the safe route.

Patandlinda · 08-10-2019, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg A

You will love them, Pat as you well know. With my shoulder issue I paid a mobile mechanic to come bust them on. It’s a very simple job, but the bottom bolts are torqued at 150 from the factory and I don’t have an air wrench, so went the safe route.

I know Greg Linda wants me to pay to have it done which is probably the way I will go. Oh it’s the end links in rear that the rubber still looks good but the shocks will be replaced like the front . Did you go with the series 4600 or 5100 ? Pat

Greg A · 08-10-2019, 03:03 PM

4600. Frontier doesn’t need too much on the rear.
Your truck is awesome, glad to see ur giving her some luv.

Patandlinda · 08-10-2019, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg A

4600. Frontier doesn’t need too much on the rear.
Your truck is awesome, glad to see ur giving her some luv.

Yup We have the 4600 series . I think the 5100 series is for off road . Got to keep her in service ! Pat

cphoenix11 · 08-10-2019, 04:57 PM

we did the 5100 and only on the back... They work great..

Patandlinda · 08-10-2019, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cphoenix11

we did the 5100 and only on the back... They work great..

The truck is a F250 Heavy Duty and has Firestone airbags because we use to carry a camper . Hoping the 4600 will be plenty for rear . In any case the Bilsteins are better then OEM shocks from everyone I talked to , mechanics , auto supplies even if that wasn’t what they usually sold . Even though the truck is a 1992 she still rides very strong unless I have some kind of load back there which isn’t much anymore now . Good you got the Bilsteins and hope you enjoy ! Pat

Ron in BC · 08-10-2019, 11:16 PM

The radio install looks good. Any problems with connections etc. ?

Ron

Patandlinda · 08-11-2019, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

The radio install looks good. Any problems with connections etc. ?

Ron

Hi Ron ! Thanks ! My first radio install . Crutchfield is where I purchased my radio online .Very good price and it includes everything I needed for my install with support too. Because truck is older surprised that I had 70 radio’s that would work for my install .They sent me the instructions with pictures , trim plates , and speaker and power wire adapters that just plugged into original truck wire plugs , no extra cost .Many years ago I had purchased a 6 disc changer because the am had quit and as you can see the old radio had a cassette .
Because the disc changer is a fm modulator it works too. Radio has a detachable plate and I can now get Lots of radio from my I-phone .
Also there is a little door for usb plus another that I put in glove box and it has aux in front .
Best part it sounds good. Also came with a microphone for phone . They give you any phone support you need .
The radio was only 139.
Very happy and surprised everything went smoothly . Highly recommend Crutchfield . Pat

Chotch · 08-11-2019, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

The truck is a F250 Heavy Duty and has Firestone airbags because we use to carry a camper . Hoping the 4600 will be plenty for rear . In any case the Bilsteins are better then OEM shocks from everyone I talked to , mechanics , auto supplies even if that wasn’t what they usually sold . Even though the truck is a 1992 she still rides very strong unless I have some kind of load back there which isn’t much anymore now . Good you got the Bilsteins and hope you enjoy ! Pat

The truck has to be able to carry 7000+ lbs that is a function of the springs, there’s not much you can do to soften the ride. Smooth it out a bit maybe.

Patandlinda · 08-11-2019, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chotch

The truck has to be able to carry 7000+ lbs that is a function of the springs, there’s not much you can do to soften the ride. Smooth it out a bit maybe.

We do get to carry a lot in bed when needed . Just changing out shocks which I don’t know how old they are . I have had truck since 2003 , second owner . The front definitely needed . So thinking would change rear while I am at it . Yes this truck can carry a lot and did great with camper for 12 years . But really just keep truck going . Pat

oldwave · 08-11-2019, 04:14 PM

Thanks for the advice bought 4600s for the back and 5100 s for the front as that’s what Summit Racing had in stock

By the way on the radio install I did a replacement radio for the f150’and added a backup camera
Invaluable for hooking up and general use

Highly recommend a retro fit on any vehicle

Patandlinda · 08-11-2019, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldwave

Thanks for the advice bought 4600s for the back and 5100 s for the front as that’s what Summit Racing had in stock

By the way on the radio install I did a replacement radio for the f150’and added a backup camera
Invaluable for hooking up and general use

Highly recommend a retro fit on any vehicle

Hi John . On the radio the JVC I bought also can hook up a camera but we already have a Voyager camera . It is on the trailer and find very valuable. The monitor I could move to different vehicles , just get another camera . But our Subaru already has a backup camera . Good for you upgrading your shocks ! Pat

**John in Santa Cruz** · 08-11-2019, 06:05 PM

the 5100's have an adjustment for up to 2"(?) of lift from stock height, while the 4600's don't, otherwise they are the same.

me, my next shock purchase on my truck will be Rancho 9000XL, which have 9 settings of adjustable damping. first 3 are close to stock shocks, last few are very stiff and suitable for heavier than normal loads, the mid range is a compromise.

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