Shocks

MOAK

MOAK

Adventurer
We have an F 350 with a constant load between 2000 to 2500 lbs. This coming spring we will be visiting Deaver for a rear spring upgrade. I’m currently doing way too much research about shocks, which has led me to 5100 Bilsteins for the rear axle, and 4600 for the front axle. I’ve never mixed shocks before but this seems to be the way to go with a stock suspension up front and the Deaver spring modification in the rear. Don’t get me started on the Carli suspension upgrades. Thanks for anyone’s informed experience. Photo for your viewing pleasure IMG_0886.jpeg
 
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andy_b

Well-known member
Get custom valved shocks for your application since it sounds like it is going to be loaded all the time. There are lot of places big and small that could custom build you a set which is matched for your application. IMHO the biggest hassle has been getting them delivered but that has improved as we get further from the pandemic. I’ve had ADS and Accutune valved Foxes - both were great. I think the most important thing is ensuring that someone local to you can rebuild them. High-end shocks require regular maintenance which can catch people by surprise.

Even if you don’t think you need new front coils, once you have the new leafs, you might find your truck sits with a rake. An easy solution are the S&B adjustable coil spring perches. They’re fairly easy to adjust and can help level out your truck.
 
MOAK

MOAK

Adventurer
andy_b said:
Get custom valved shocks for your application since it sounds like it is going to be loaded all the time. There are lot of places big and small that could custom build you a set which is matched for your application. IMHO the biggest hassle has been getting them delivered but that has improved as we get further from the pandemic. I’ve had ADS and Accutune valved Foxes - both were great. I think the most important thing is ensuring that someone local to you can rebuild them. High-end shocks require regular maintenance which can catch people by surprise.

Even if you don’t think you need new front coils, once you have the new leafs, you might find your truck sits with a rake. An easy solution are the S&B adjustable coil spring perches. They’re fairly easy to adjust and can help level out your truck.
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You hit the nail on the head about high end shocks needing maintenance. We are full time travelers and maintaining shocks just isn’t in the cards for us. I ran OMEs on my Landcruiser all the way around with heavy springs in the rear and mediums up front. The first set had over 100,000 miles on them when I needlessly replaced them. The second set had 70,000 miles on em when I sold the rig. I want to install shocks and forget about em
 
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andy_b

Well-known member
MOAK said:
You hit the nail on the head about high end shocks needing maintenance. We are full time travelers and maintaining shocks just isn’t in the cards for us. I ran OMEs on my Landcruiser all the way around with heavy springs in the rear and mediums up front. The first set had over 100,000 miles on them when I needlessly replaced them. The second set had 70,000 miles on em when I sold the rig. I want to install shocks and forget about em
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It isn’t that Bilstein’s don’t need maintenance, you’re just throwing them away instead of servicing. I think you’re drawing an incomplete conclusion here lol. I get that trying to service shocks while on the road abroad is a legitimate challenge but I don’t think that it is true to draw an equivalence in terms of performance or to assume that the high-end shocks wouldn’t even survive to 100k without service. Any of the high end shocks would be fine for that same service life and would still be rebuildable for another 100k while suffering the similar degradation in performance that the Bilsteins would over that same service life. In the end though, you still have to just replace the Bilsteins while not having them valved correctly for maximum ride quality.

If it were me, I would do what I did and get custom valved shocks and service them when possible without worrying about it if I exceed a recommended service interval. The shocks themselves are fairly easy to service (oil and seals, not re-valving or whatever), even on the road.
 
MOAK

MOAK

Adventurer
andy_b said:
It isn’t that Bilstein’s don’t need maintenance, you’re just throwing them away instead of servicing. I think you’re drawing an incomplete conclusion here lol. I get that trying to service shocks while on the road abroad is a legitimate challenge but I don’t think that it is true to draw an equivalence in terms of performance or to assume that the high-end shocks wouldn’t even survive to 100k without service. Any of the high end shocks would be fine for that same service life and would still be rebuildable for another 100k while suffering the similar degradation in performance that the Bilsteins would over that same service life. In the end though, you still have to just replace the Bilsteins while not having them valved correctly for maximum ride quality.

If it were me, I would do what I did and get custom valved shocks and service them when possible without worrying about it if I exceed a recommended service interval. The shocks themselves are fairly easy to service (oil and seals, not re-valving or whatever), even on the road.
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Not an incomplete conclusion at all, I’d call it a compromised conclusion. Everything we do when building out or specing out an overland rig is full of compromises. I drive with extraordinary mechanical sympathy as this vehicle we are in is it, it’s our home. High end shocks that can handle medium to high speed tracks and trails have their place. But I’m that guy idling around in low range just taking it easy on me and on the equipment.
 
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andy_b

Well-known member
MOAK said:
The 5100s require a 1” lift to operate properly. No need for us to spent more than a thousand dollars to go up only 1 inch.
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Using the adjustable spacers, you’d be out less than $300 iirc. Not sure if that is worth the differences between the two shocks as I’m not familiar about their specifics.
 
MOAK

MOAK

Adventurer
andy_b said:
Using the adjustable spacers, you’d be out less than $300 iirc. Not sure if that is worth the differences between the two shocks as I’m not familiar about their specifics.
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From what I have read the 4600 are a little softer. I really don’t want to mess with the suspension at all. Start messing around too much then you start voiding the warranty. I learned that lesson long ago with a Jeep. Put an OME suspension under it and a 1” body lift. Front axle u joints went out and were not covered because of the suspension upgrade. Stock is good.
 
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andy_b

Well-known member
MOAK said:
From what I have read the 4600 are a little softer. I really don’t want to mess with the suspension at all. Start messing around too much then you start voiding the warranty. I learned that lesson long ago with a Jeep. Put an OME suspension under it and a 1” body lift. Front axle u joints went out and were not covered because of the suspension upgrade. Stock is good.
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It is your truck so I encourage you to do what is appropriate for your use but I don’t think that this is the right conclusion. You’re already messing with the suspension, so why bother with half-measures? Then you have spent time and money for an incomplete solution and a false sense of reassurance. For this truck, a lift wouldn’t impact u-joint performance so they’re still under warranty. Warranty is impacted only when there is a direct link between the upgrade and the failure.
 
rruff

rruff

Explorer
andy_b said:
It isn’t that Bilstein’s don’t need maintenance, you’re just throwing them away instead of servicing.
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Back when I was making this decision, it seemed like there were more reports of high-priced shocks leaking. Thought it might have to do with low friction seals, as I encountered this with wheel bearings on bicycles.

MOAK said:
I want to install shocks and forget about em
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A worthy goal! If you haven't looked at them KYB Monomax are a shock you should consider. They are a gas charged mono-tube like the Bilsteins, damped specifically for loaded trucks, are cheap, have a lifetime warranty, and sold through many auto parts stores.

Front axles are typically not loaded much above stock weight, so damping on front shocks is usually fine, with the rear being less than ideal for a camper.

Accutune's cheapest custom shocks are the 2.0 with reservoir, $350 each.
 
kmcintyre

kmcintyre

Observer
MOAK said:
The 5100s up front require a lift or leveling kit to be installed. The rear 5100s will work with 0-1” of lifted suspension.
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I'm not sure about Ford's but on the newer Chevy's this is 100% correct and check the bilstein.com website before purchasing.... ask me how I know? :) I've documented it pretty well and suspensionlifts.com (or whatever they call themselves now) don't know ******** about shocks and what is made for what trucks and they'll sell you shocks that aren't for your truck. Buyer beware.
 
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