Shovks

[MOAK]

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

 

[2025 deleted member]

Why not do the 5100s up front also?

 

[andy_b]

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]

Why not do the 5100s up front also?

The 5100s up front require a lift or leveling kit to be installed. The rear 5100s will work with 0-1” of lifted suspension.

 

[MOAK]

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.

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

 

[andy_b]

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

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.