Shocks and Steering Stabilizer Recommendations

[Fl0und3rz]

I have an F350, and both the shocks and stabilizer are in need of replacement.  I have never done this and I am looking for some hunt-wa wisdom.

The truck was set up by prior owner to haul a camper, is bagged, and likely has aftermarket springs (or mods) in back.  It rides like a tank unless loaded, and I am fine with maintain that.  It isn't a caddy.

Leaf front and back, solid axle front.  Light off-road use and occasional towing and hauling.

I probably could DIY, but don't mind paying someone who knows what they are doing in parts selection, service, and customer service after the sale.


What should I be looking for? Is something like a Schwab special a bad idea.


Parts recommendations and/or kit recommendations as well as shop recommendations in or around Stevens County are also appreciated. 

Thanks.

[Henrydog]

When I was young I have a Square Body 3/4 ton with aftermarket springs.  I put Rancho 5000's on and it made the ride even worse...but I sure looked cool.   

 I am not a big fan of Les Schwab but I had their "Mnt Ryder" branded shocks on a 3/4 ton Dodge that I owned forever.  They had a lifetime warranty.  I had Schwab put them on at 30k, and they replaced them every 20kish for 10 years after that.  Not sure who actually made them but the rode nice.

[Fl0und3rz]

Thanks.

Yeah, don't really care about looking cool or winning the Baja 500.  Just looking for a reliable and appropriately rated shock, perhaps one that deals with washboards OK.

[Stein]

I have tried a bunch of different shocks over the years and have gone back to putting OEM shocks on everything I own.

I believe LS uses Gabriel, I bought them from Autozone and like the above, put a new pair on literally every year or two and they never rode as well as factory.

[BD1]

I have used Rancho and Bilitstine (sp?) both with great results

[gutsnthegrass]

Les schwab put a fabtech level kit on my 2012 F350.  The shocks were garbage and failed after 15,000 miles.  I just put Rancho 9000xl's and they seem to be ok.  I would put Fox shocks on it if I wanted to dump an S-ton of money on them. 

[elkaholic123]

Bilstein 5100

[Mudman]

Used various shocks from Rancho to schabby to etc.  My truck came with new suspension system and Bilstein reservoir shocks.  I am very impressed.  Don't know cost but they are in diferent league.  What washboard?  Kidding but much much better on washboard n such.  Some of my worst were cheap rancho and schabby shocks.  Monroe were pretty good years ago.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Bilstein 5100

Well I’m not a LesSucks fan so.....🤣

I was going to tell you 5100 as well since that’s what I’m running and like them.

But your truck is too old for them, but.... Bilstein does make shocks for it.👍

You have order the front and backs separately, why IDK.

Stabilizer Bilstein doesn’t make, my next choice would be Moog as their suspension parts are top notch. The pic on stabilizer is one of two they sell, you’ll need to look at your setup to see the best one for your truck.👍

Installing this stuff is super easy if you can use a impact wrench, and ratchets/sockets.🤣

[Fl0und3rz]

Thanks.

Yeah, I am OK with buy once, cry once.  The truck is long since paid for, so it is not as if I have a payment to worry about, in addition to gold plated shocks.


So what I am getting is stay away from the blue light specials.   So any trusted Stevens County shop recommendations?

Bilstein 5100

Installing this stuff is super easy if you can use a impact wrench, and ratchets/sockets.🤣

What are those?

 

It comes with the territory.


Thanks for the suggestions.  I'll give the shop suggestions a chance to percolate, then probably make an order for parts.

[Fl0und3rz]

Oh no!  CA says that shock causes cancer. 

 

Shut 'er down.

 

[Boss .300 winmag]

Oh no!  CA says that shock causes cancer. 

 

Shut 'er down.

 

Right.

Well those Amazon prices are probably going to be a bit cheaper than a shops prices for the same stuff.😉

If you lived closer I would help you install them.

[Fl0und3rz]

Thanks, and thanks again for the suggestions.

It's not the task so much as having to do the task in the cold.  I am a pansy.

[Boss .300 winmag]

What you could do is order the parts and have a shop install for you, but some shops hate doing that as they loose money.

[Fl0und3rz]

Yeah, I think I'll order parts, put them in as weather allows, unless some shop recommendation pops up and I can get a decent deal on parts through the shop.

[257wbymagkiller]

Lately I’ve been putting the fox 2.0s on my vehicles and could have been happier. Everything from my Jeep jk to my Silverado and suburban. They cost more but I personally think they are worth it.

[huntandjeep]

Shocks are easy to remove / replace as is the stabilizer.  Shouldn't take more than an hour ( soak the nuts /bolts with PB Blaster prior )  with regular hand tools . Bilstien 5100s are nice  have them on my F350 an had them on my TJ . Agree with 257wbymagkiller , swapped out the 5100s on my TJ for the Fox 2.0 with a custom tune , and they are far superior,  although quite a bit more .

[Fl0und3rz]

Thanks.  Mostly it's a clean dry warm place to work that's the hold up.  I may wait it out until spring.

Probably don't need or want adjustable nor the extra expense over the bilsteins.  It would be like polishing a turd, for the age, even though it is a great, solid, clean truck.

[mountainman]

Fox with reservoir

[Fl0und3rz]

If you guys are spending my money you might as well get me a camper and side by side in the deal.

[follow maggie]

Lately I’ve been putting the fox 2.0s on my vehicles and could have been happier. Everything from my Jeep jk to my Silverado and suburban. They cost more but I personally think they are worth it.

What don’t you like about the fox shocks?

[257wbymagkiller]

The quality as soon as you pull them out of the box is noticeably better than shocks I’ve had in the past as well as the performance on and off the road. They seem to work like a shock should as far as making a difference in ride. In the past I’ve put shocks on and noticed no difference.