My daily driver is a 2001 Ford F150 SuperCrew 2x4 truck that just crossed over 131k miles. I upgraded to a set of Bilstein shocks on the truck at ~32k miles and they seem very tired at this point given the current ride quality around uneven pavement. Given the age and current value of the truck, replacing the current shocks with another set of Bilstein's seems imprudent given their cost. I don't tow or haul that much with the truck anymore, so heavy duty or load leveling shocks are not needed. Finally, I'd like to keep the cost of the replacements to around $50 (or less) each.

So given those requirements, what would you recommend that you've had good luck with?

I dont recall the cost but on the 2015+ Fox 2.0 & Bilstein 5100 (IIRC) were always the leading recommendations.

Never got around to it on mine (2016) before trading it in.

I would go with Sachs Or KYB for your application. Rock auto should have both. I would check those Bilsteins to see if they’re leaking. I believe they have a lifetime warranty.

I just lifted my Toyota on Bilstein 5160. Couldn’t be happier than the ride.

Fox 2.0 are badass, but speedy and if you’re not off-roading, the bilsteins are more affordable and will suit you just fine.

ETA, Bilstein 5100 are even more affordable and still pretty badass and a hell of a lot better than stock.

Bilsten and other like them make a rig ride like a buck board wagon. If you want stiff than that is what you want.
I put KYB on my old suburban. I like them a lot. On the stiff side but about perfect for a heavy rig like my Sub.
If you want something that will give a good ride a quality gas shock is for you.

Have you priced out Monroe sensatrac? On my old Silverado, that's what I had installed when my Bilstein's wore out. Rode better than Bilstein's and Houston's roads are horrendous (highly expansive clay that shinks and grows as much as 4" from rainy season to "dry" season).

For your needs and price I would go with KYB Gas Adjust (not the lower model GR2).

https://m.tirerack.com/suspens...ar=2001&autoModClar=

Fox 2.0s are certainly the best option but are $148 a corner.

quote:

2001 Ford F150 SuperCrew

Rock Auto

Checked Rock Auto lotsa options..

OEM Motorcraft run $26 each

Monroe 37147/37131 $33 each

It gives you options to upgrade depending on what you want most expensive being $60 a corner..

Plenty of options, Motorcraft, Monroe, Sachs, any of these should work

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
For your needs and price I would go with KYB Gas Adjust (not the lower model GR2).

https://m.tirerack.com/suspens...ar=2001&autoModClar=

Agreed

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
I would go with Sachs Or KYB for your application. Rock auto should have both. I would check those Bilsteins to see if they’re leaking. I believe they have a lifetime warranty.

Bilsteins warranty is against defects but the do wear out over time. 75k miles hauling is a pretty good expectancy I have found for the 4600s. His use 100k would be about right before wearing out.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

2001 Ford F150 SuperCrew

Rock Auto

Checked Rock Auto lotsa options..

OEM Motorcraft run $26 each

Monroe 37147/37131 $33 each

It gives you options to upgrade depending on what you want most expensive being $60 a corner..

Plenty of options, Motorcraft, Monroe, Sachs, any of these should work

DO NOT EVER BUY MOTORCRAFT SHOCKS!!!!!!
They are complete and utter garbage. Mine started leaking at 50k miles and many folks start loosing them in the 20k mike range.

^^^^ This. I had a 2005 f150 I bought new and the factory shocks were leaking just after the 36k mile warranty was up. I think Motorcraft shocks are made by Gabriel or Monroe (Tenneco). I would never buy either brand.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

2001 Ford F150 SuperCrew

Rock Auto

Checked Rock Auto lotsa options..

OEM Motorcraft run $26 each

Monroe 37147/37131 $33 each

It gives you options to upgrade depending on what you want most expensive being $60 a corner..

Plenty of options, Motorcraft, Monroe, Sachs, any of these should work

Yeah, I've completely been through the Rock auto offerings, but I was hoping for a bit of owner advice on what they've bought and installed and had success with.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Bilsten and other like them make a rig ride like a buck board wagon. If you want stiff than that is what you want.

What??? It depends on the shock. I put a set of Bilstein 6112’s on the front and 5100’s on the rear of the Taco. It rides like a Cadillac compared to the stock setup.

If you buy the shittiest version of a shock made, or the OEM replacements, I’m sure it is a shit ride.

***ETA the correct shock model fir the fronts.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Beancooker,

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Bilsten and other like them make a rig ride like a buck board wagon. If you want stiff than that is what you want.
I put KYB on my old suburban. I like them a lot. On the stiff side but about perfect for a heavy rig like my Sub.
If you want something that will give a good ride a quality gas shock is for you.

What model KYB did you buy? There are three available on Rock Auto.

I replaced the factory ones on my 2016 F350 with Fox. It rides much better.

quote:

Originally posted by coloradohunter44:
I replaced the factory ones on my 2016 F350 with Fox. It rides much better.

Excellent shocks that are way beyond the budget I've set for this truck.

Bilstein 4600 series should ride fine on a F150

quote:

Finally, I'd like to keep the cost of the replacements to around $50 (or less) each.

bigdeal, I know you like that truck. I've seen the pics of the paint... very nice!
If you still like it, use it, and if you've been happy with the Bilstein shocks (which have given you 100K good service)...
Why not spend a couple of bucks more, if you're doing the labor anyway... and buy another set of Bilstein shocks? Wouldn't you hate to take all the time to change them out and then second guess yourself, thinking that for 20-30 more, you would have had what you know you like?

I'm looking at Bilstein 5100’s on the rear of the 4Runner based on recommendations here. They are about $80/each.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Bilsten and other like them make a rig ride like a buck board wagon. If you want stiff than that is what you want.

What??? It depends on the shock. I put a set of Bilstein 5160’s on the front and 5100’s on the rear of the Taco. It rides like a Cadillac compared to the stock setup.

If you buy the shittiest version of a shock made, or the OEM replacements, I’m sure it is a shit ride.

I put standard 5100's (no leveling, no lift) on my '13 Silverado and it indeed made the ride stiffer. I also use dirt roads that are in varying states of disrepair on a daily basis and wanted the stiffer/faster rebounding "off road" performance.

These are definitely not what I would choose for a mall crawler vehicle, and now that I'm driving on them I'm confused as to why they're almost always recommended whenever anyone with a truck asks about shocks.