When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Companies claiming 2014 rear shock length different from prior years???
For some reason nobody seems to have a precise answer on this. I've spoken with a couple companies regarding new rear shocks for a 2014 fx4 and I've had mixed responses...
Rancho claims they don't make their rs9000xl rears for 2014 because the 2014 model year has a rear shock that is about an inch longer than the 2009-2013 models.
Fox claims they have the same shock for anything from 2004-2015.
Bilstein claims they don't have one for 2014 model year as well.
Does anyone know in fact if the rear shocks on a 2014 are different length than the previous years????
I currently have the bilstein 5100s on mine but when I got them from my local shop they noted that Bilstein doesn't technically make them for the 2014 model, but they looked at my stock shocks and didn't see why the 09-13 bilsteins wouldn't work. I've had them on for about 4 months now and am not thrilled with them as the truck doesn't stay planted in the rear. The shop measured them yesterday on the truck and did say they seem almost an inch shorter than they should be... which could cause them to not work properly. Maybe not a huge difference, but maybe enough to be the cause of what I'm feeling. Please let me know your thoughts and if anyone knows a for sure answer here.
Good question...
Can't help now but my brother in law will be here tomorrow. Have 14' fx4 stock
When my xlt 4x4 O.R. Is next to his they look the same. I can measure both. Both are stock.
But will it make a difference when they're loaded. (Well the weight of the truck). His truck doesn't look an inch taller in the rear.
Where the inch. Is the mounting slightly diff? Or are they compressed more to be put in the same spot??
So I'll give a measurement of the shocks installed with wheel on the ground. (14' fx4 vs xlt 4x4offroad) stock vs stock.
Unless someone else has the answer. Or measures first
Is there away to search the oem part numbers and compare specs?
Good question...
Can't help now but my brother in law will be here tomorrow. Have 14' fx4 stock
When my xlt 4x4 O.R. Is next to his they look the same. I can measure both. Both are stock.
But will it make a difference when they're loaded. (Well the weight of the truck). His truck doesn't look an inch taller in the rear.
Where the inch. Is the mounting slightly diff? Or are they compressed more to be put in the same spot??
So I'll give a measurement of the shocks installed with wheel on the ground. (14' fx4 vs xlt 4x4offroad) stock vs stock.
Unless someone else has the answer. Or measures first
Is there away to search the oem part numbers and compare specs?
Thank you very much! They measured the length of the shock shaft showing when the truck is sitting still on level ground, and said it was about an inch shorter than it should be. No weight in bed. When I talked to a Ford dealership they were about the least helpful people in the world. They know nothing about their own vehicles... very sad
Yeah there's some parts guys that are cool but for the most part they only give part numbers or info on the vin for a given vehicle. Won't say what'll swap...
There's different part numbers per payload or wheel base. But looks like some of the same numbers for similar setups for both years. IDK. Will still measure tomorrow.
Both have tow pkg and not max tow.
Companies claiming 2014 rear shock length different from prior years???
Shock length has nothing to do with ride height. The length affects axle travel only. You will have to unbolt the bottom of the shocks and let them extend to maximum length then measure them. Measure end to end, not the length of shaft showing. If Ford changed the mounting location and thus affected the angle of the shock, they may have increased the length to keep the same axle travel.
Shock length has nothing to do with ride height. The length affects axle travel only. You will have to unbolt the bottom of the shocks and let them extend to maximum length then measure them. Measure end to end, not the length of shaft showing. If Ford changed the mounting location and thus affected the angle of the shock, they may have increased the length to keep the same axle travel.
I wondered about this and is why I said. If that's the case. I don't have time to un mount them but will still measure what I can for him.
But at the same time doesn't bilstein offer a series with a 1 " adjustable ride height rear shock.
I wondered about this and is why I said. If that's the case. I don't have time to un mount them but will still measure what I can for him.
But at the same time doesn't bilstien offer a series with a 1 " adjustable ride height rear shock.
No, their shock has 1" additional length (travel). I have them on my truck. You can lift the back with a 1" block or AAL and not loss the total travel of the rear axle.
Shocks are a hydraulic damper that controls spring movement and nothing more. Now coilover shocks are a different story. Struts are the same as shocks, but they also support the weight of the vehicle via the spring that is attached to them.
Right on thanks mlheck, is what I figured but didn't know.
Surprised no one else has the answer. Someone does! lol!
Ok measured both in the drive way at a slight incline. Nothing in the beds. Both were the same eye to eye (bolt center to bolt center)
23 3/8".
Snapped a shot of his shock part number 14" FX4. Seems it's been on multiple prior years
AL34-18080-EF.
So not sure. Maybe the 5100's are stiffer, it's say they're for lifted trucks and yours is stock in the back right? Bilstein doesn't offer the fronts so maybe is why they leave out that year for now.
On an unrelated topic...while I was under there. Saw clear oil coming from the plastic cover, covering the gas tank. Wasn't sure what it could be, only thing around there or above is brake lines. Didn't want my sister crashing. (She came to drop her kids off for the day. ). Called my brother in law see if he knew anything and warn him before I look more.
"Oh yeah I spilled vegetable oil in the bed." Geez lol. Least it wasn't something bad.
08-12-2015, 09:23 AM
Companies claiming 2014 rear shock length different from prior years???
