shocks
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,261
Likes: 605
From: Fallston, MD
Any of the adjustable ones. The Boss ones I think at the lowest setting is the same height as stock. Rear shocks are generally for 0-1" of lift so almost any of them should work (Boss included)
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31,745
Likes: 12,567
From: Nowhereville, Barton City Michigan
With the BossCoilovers, you can adjust them to any level you want, I think 3" is max. So, yes, you could maintain your stock height. The rear Boss shocks did not lift the rear at all on mine.
I've had Bilsteins on trucks before, and honestly, I noticed no difference from stock. These were on Superdudes and PowerWagons, and were just replacement shocks, no level adjustments, but on all of them, I sat back and wondered why I bothered.
The Boss were a totally different story. Mine are set for a 2"+/- lift, but you don't need to do that. I've had this thing down a few washboard roads lately, and the difference from stock was unbelievable. Yes, you still feel the washboard in the front, but control loss was zero issue. With the rears, much control gained, and rode tons smoother.
I've played with suspensions since the 1970's, and this is the first setup, short of the megadollar race setups, I actually noticed an improvement straight out of the box.
You'll pay extra for this setup, but IMO, it's worth it. Yepper, I do it again. I only wish I could get a setup to act like these for my other truck
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On edit, The Boss springs are heavier compared to Bilstein as well, IIRC, they are 800#, the Bilsteins are 700#. Also those are Eibachs on the Boss.
I've had Bilsteins on trucks before, and honestly, I noticed no difference from stock. These were on Superdudes and PowerWagons, and were just replacement shocks, no level adjustments, but on all of them, I sat back and wondered why I bothered.
The Boss were a totally different story. Mine are set for a 2"+/- lift, but you don't need to do that. I've had this thing down a few washboard roads lately, and the difference from stock was unbelievable. Yes, you still feel the washboard in the front, but control loss was zero issue. With the rears, much control gained, and rode tons smoother.
I've played with suspensions since the 1970's, and this is the first setup, short of the megadollar race setups, I actually noticed an improvement straight out of the box.
You'll pay extra for this setup, but IMO, it's worth it. Yepper, I do it again. I only wish I could get a setup to act like these for my other truck
.On edit, The Boss springs are heavier compared to Bilstein as well, IIRC, they are 800#, the Bilsteins are 700#. Also those are Eibachs on the Boss.
Last edited by johnday in BFE; Jul 9, 2016 at 10:48 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,206
Likes: 892
From: Iowa
The only good thing about them. The ride quality was decreased when I had them. Upgraded to RC 4'' that uses stock front shocks and much better. Looking forward to selling my set.
5 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 2,739
42K on mine, and replaced the rears with Bilstein 5100. The stock ones lost their rebound, so the rear jiggled a lot. May not be any different with the new shocks until I put weight in the truck, thats where I noticed the worn shocks the most. With a trailer on the back it felt like the truck was doing figure eights, very strange sensation, which the new shocks should resolve. Since I have a 2014, front shocks are slim pickings.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,462
Likes: 717
From: SF Bay Area
The Bilsteins were terrible. Soft/OEM style shocks, but when I first pulled them out of the box, I commented to the shop I bought them from, "how dinky the welds are at the bottom of the shock tube (to the bottom eye)". They didn't know what to say. But soon after, I read a number of Bilstein stories, complete with pictures, of bent or broken Bilsteins. I mean literally bent, crumpled shock tubes. All I could say to one fellow was "well, at least the weld held..."
In the case with both brands, each and every person who ended up putting BOSS suspension on raved about the performance and control. It's kind of like putting Koni shocks on a car the first time - unbelievable feel and handling. NOW you find out why people spend the kind of money they do on suspensions!
Now, after getting the BOSS on there, and you want to fix everything else with the F150's suspension, get a set of Deaver rear springs! No more wheel hop. Total control of payload. Keep up with rice racers in the corners
Last edited by STingray1300; Jul 10, 2016 at 01:58 AM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 34
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Suspensio...hockingZXCombo
If one doesn't want any lift, is there any advantage in getting new coils vs using existing ones?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,206
Likes: 892
From: Iowa
There are actually a bunch of threads that mention the Rancho Quicklifts. I am unaware of anyone who did not have some issue or another with the Ranchos, even if was just rusting shock tubes.
The Bilsteins were terrible. Soft/OEM style shocks, but when I first pulled them out of the box, I commented to the shop I bought them from, "how dinky the welds are at the bottom of the shock tube (to the bottom eye)". They didn't know what to say. But soon after, I read a number of Bilstein stories, complete with pictures, of bent or broken Bilsteins. I mean literally bent, crumpled shock tubes. All I could say to one fellow was "well, at least the weld held..."
In the case with both brands, each and every person who ended up putting BOSS suspension on raved about the performance and control. It's kind of like putting Koni shocks on a car the first time - unbelievable feel and handling. NOW you find out why people spend the kind of money they do on suspensions!
Now, after getting the BOSS on there, and you want to fix everything else with the F150's suspension, get a set of Deaver rear springs! No more wheel hop. Total control of payload. Keep up with rice racers in the corners
The Bilsteins were terrible. Soft/OEM style shocks, but when I first pulled them out of the box, I commented to the shop I bought them from, "how dinky the welds are at the bottom of the shock tube (to the bottom eye)". They didn't know what to say. But soon after, I read a number of Bilstein stories, complete with pictures, of bent or broken Bilsteins. I mean literally bent, crumpled shock tubes. All I could say to one fellow was "well, at least the weld held..."
In the case with both brands, each and every person who ended up putting BOSS suspension on raved about the performance and control. It's kind of like putting Koni shocks on a car the first time - unbelievable feel and handling. NOW you find out why people spend the kind of money they do on suspensions!
Now, after getting the BOSS on there, and you want to fix everything else with the F150's suspension, get a set of Deaver rear springs! No more wheel hop. Total control of payload. Keep up with rice racers in the corners
In comparison, Rough Country is open until 10PM and they answer the phone immediately. And by that, I mean someone with knowledge of their kit answers.
Pro Comp makes a set of pro-runners that use the existing springs. I don't have any experience with these;maybe someone can chime in that does.
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Suspensio...hockingZXCombo
If one doesn't want any lift, is there any advantage in getting new coils vs using existing ones?
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Suspensio...hockingZXCombo
If one doesn't want any lift, is there any advantage in getting new coils vs using existing ones?
Last edited by SteveLord; Jul 10, 2016 at 02:40 PM.
OG
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 245
That statement is not entirely true. The BOSS suspension is W-A-Y better than Bilsteins! I put Bilsteins in at 900 miles. Felt like I was driving a bus. 10,000 miles later I swapped out for the BOSS set up. The BOSS suspension is phenomenal. Comparing them to Bilsteins is not a fair comparison, to Bilstein or BOSS. The appeal of Bilsteins is that they are cheaper. But changing out just the shocks in a coilover set up is only 1/2 the job. If you leave in the OEM coil springs, you're selling yourself short. Way short.
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 25,519
Likes: 1,913
From: Not far enough away from Chicago
Well if I were to replace the shocks, id do a full coilover, and if I did a full coilover, id do the Boss coilovers. Everything I've read and every review ive seen, says these are awesome for the street queen who gets dirty every now and then. Plus the price is pretty sweet lol
Just curious...gonna level soon and had fox on the last truck..