Question:

I currently have Bilstein Shocks with part # BST-B46-2133 on the front and Monroe Load Leveler shocks, part # MON58617 on the rear, purchased from you 7/25/02.  I’m rarely off-road and if so, it’s a bumpy fire road.  I tow a car trailer (240# tongue weight, ~3,400# car & trailer weight & ~700# tools/junk in SUV).  What do you recommend?

Answer:

That would be about the best setup for towing and hauling you have there.  The rear Load-leveler shocks will support 1000 lbs.

Question:

My Bronco has HD front springs and a rear AAL for almost 2″ of lift. I am worried about the Bilstein HD shocks (B46-1328 &1329) not having enough length to not limit the travel.

Answer:

The rear Bilstein 5100 offroad shock F4-BE5-6244-h5 is for Broncos with 2-inches of suspension lift in the rear, so that would
be the one you want to use if the lift modification requires a longer shock.

All of our 1995 Bronco shocks are listed here, including the Bilstein 5100 racing shocks.

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=3971&selected_year=1995

The only person who can actually determine how long a shock is needed would be the mechanic modifying the vehicle.  (using a tape measure).  You could also check with the lift kit company, they will be able to tell you if their kit uses stock length shocks or longer shocks.  Their engineers would have determined that for you.

More about lifted trucks -
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/lifted-trucks.cfm

Question:

What is the best shock for hauling a slide in camper and towing a 4,000 lb boat with my 2000 F-350 truck, 4″ lift, 35 Inch tires.

Answer:

Here are the shocks we carry for the 2000 F350 4WD -http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=4007&selected_year=2000

Since the rear has been lifted 4-inches, you need to use the Bilstein 5100 shock shown there -F4-BE5-6246-H5

Question:

I would like to have your recommendation for struts and shock.  I have an 05 f150 that i use to tow a 4500 trailer and I also do a lot of driving on bumpy dirt roads.

Answer:

If you want to use a twin tube shock design, like the original units, the KYB GR2 or Monroes will be ok.

If you want performance, better handling / dampening, especially at highway speeds, you want to use a monotube shock design. The Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks are the best performance monotubes we have. These are all listed in our online catalog – http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=make&type=T

Question 2:
Do you know if I can get an auto repair shop to install shocks I buy from you?

Are there any special tools needed to replace shocks & stuts?

Answer 2:

The 2005 F150s have a strut in the front, so that would probably require spring compressor tool.

The rears are just regular shocks, which haven’t changed much as far as installing them since the ’50’s.

Any shop familiar with suspensions could install both shocks and struts.

You will need to have an alignment done whenever you replace the struts.  An alignment would be needed on at least the front of your truck, so figure that in too.

Question:

I am looking for an upgraded shock for better ride comfort but also need towing for 5th wheel load of max 14k. Was looking at Bilstein 5100 series shocks, will they fit my truck that has no lift?  What do you suggest?

Answer:

The 5100 shocks are a racing product, there would not be any reason to use those units.

You want to use the Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks. They are for a stock height truck, and are the most popular shocks we sell for Super Dutys.

More about ‘ride’ is mentioned on our website here – http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/shock_absorber_myths.cfm

Online catalog -
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=make&type=T

Model: Taurus SES

Manufacture Date: /2001

Chassis Designation: Sedan (SES)

Question:

I would like your opinion on the quality vs. ride

performance between the Monroe and KYB struts your company sells. Which is

a best strut for my Taurus? I don’t want to order a wimpy replacement, but

I would like to restore the “Factory” ride.

Answer:

Both the KYB and Monroe are the same as the OE units, a twin tube low pressure design – http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/glossary.cfm

The Monroe’s have a groove inside which allows extra oil bypass, the KYB has no such gimmick, and will be a straight normal twin tube (like a Ford unit).

While neither is a performance unit, the KYB would be slightly better from a technical stand point.

Online catalog -

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=make&type=C

More about ‘ride’ is mentioned on our website here if it helps – http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/shock_absorber_myths.cfm

Model: F150 4 Wheel Drive

Manufacture Date: /1989

Question:

Need a Replacement front shocks for my f150 4 wheel

drive with 2 inches of suspension lift. The shocks in front of the springs

seem to need to be a smaller dia than the shocks after the springs.  thank

you?

Answers:

There is no real control over the diameter of the shocks.

Note that monotube performance shocks (such as Bilstein, Edelbrock, and

KYBs) have a slimmer body because they don’t have aeration problems like a twin tube, and don’t need a large oil reservoir.

More about monotubes and twin tube shocks – http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/glossary.cfm

Since you have raised the truck, you probably have a larger tire, so you need a shock with a lot of dampeing power. That’s going to be a monotube.

Does the modification / lift kit company say you have to use a longer shock?

Or are you using a stock length shock?

More about lifted trucks if it helps -

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/lifted-trucks.cfm

Model: f-150 4×4 Lariat

Manufacture Date: /2006

Chassis Designation: super cab 4×4

What is your driving style: Normal Driver

Vehicle Setup: 4 Wheel Drive

Suspension Type: Raised Suspension or Suspension Lift Kit

Question:

I have a mostly stock f150 4×4 with a two inch spacer

block – front end leveling kit installed and have custom 18″ wheels with

33″ toyo at tires.  It bangs going over ruts etc as the wheels / tires are

heavier and larger than stock.  I would like to purchase Bilstein C298-h0

front struts and Bilstein c299-10 rear shocks to replace stock set-up and

the 2″ aluminum spacers I currently have installed to level truck and

allow for the front end lift necessary to fit the 33″ tires.  I assume

this will improve ride over what is installed now?  Can you quote a price

 and comment on what I am proposing?  Thank-you

Answer:

The Bilsteins would be the way to go to lift the truck safely. Better than a spacer.

The Bilsteins will also give you much better dampening and control of the larger tire / wheels.

Online catalog -

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=3995&selected_year=2006

The Bilsteins allow you to lift the front end around 2 inches from stock.

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/bilstein-struts.cfm

Model: Mustang Convertible

Manufacture Date: /1996

Question:

I Lowered 1 1/2 or less what can I use?

Answer:

If you have already changed the springs / lowered the car.

You can use the Bilstein HDs, Edelbrocks, or the KYB AGX.

Those are compatible with 1-1/2 of lowered suspensions.

Online catalog -

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=4027&selected_year=1996

Model: f-150

Manufacture Date: /1998

Chassis Designation: extended cab

Question:

This truck is an extended cab with one side having a

door. So, it’s a 3 door truck. It has a 5″ lift kit on it and needs new

shocks. I’m wanting to replace the shocks. They would need to be at least

5″ longer than stock. I like Monroe shocks but would use whatever is

available.

Answer:

Both Edelbrock and BIlstein offer shocks for 1998 F150 lifted trucks.

Here’s the link to those parts -

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=3995&selected_year=1998

The shock companies do not mentioned the lengths, so there is no way to know for sure if they are exactly 5-inches longer than a stock shock, only that they are designed by an engineer to fit a specific amount of  lift.

Monroe does not make any products for lifted trucks at all.