I have a 2004 FX4 with 102K miles. I am going to add a 2.5" leveling kit on the front end and thinking about replacing the shocks also. What shocks work best for the money?

 

If you need new shocks, the 5100 Bilsteins will level your truck, as will the Rancho Quicklifts. I've done a ton of research on both and have Rancho's on the way--- The Bilsteins for my truck were on backorder without a reliable delivery date, but I believe there's a steady supply of the 4wd versions if you want them.

The Bilsteins ride stiffer/better and are monotubes, so they will last longer as a result of not building as much friction/heat. Rancho has recently announced a monotube shock, available in May, but I'm unaware if they will be leveling/lift shocks or just oe replacements.

IMO the 5100 will be your 'best' option, but if you can't afford the Bilsteins - go with the Rancho's- they're 'better' than oem- and the concensus is they're 'better than average' shocks with the benefit of a lift.

 

Thanks Tek, so what your saying is I should just replace the shocks instead of putting the leveling blocks ontop of the coils? I was actually looking at doing both. Right now I have a 3" rake due to helper spring in the back.

 

I have the 5100's set at the top setting and love the look and the ride is night and day!

 

Pics please! I bet it looks nice.

 

The bilsteins will level up 2" in the front and I believe up to 1" in the rear from stock. You can adjust the rear shock to 0" giving you an almost invis rake; however, if it were me, I'd lose the spring and just level out the truck with the Bilsteins 2" setting in front. (assuming you have 33' or smaller tires.)

If you want to keep the 3", install the rear Bilsteins with the 0" setting- front with the 2" setting and add a 2.5" spacer to the front. You'll be at a full 4" lift - but surely pushing limits on limiting shock travel and increasing strain on components / upper balljoints, tie rods etc. (Someone check my math there, assuming a 1.5 rake from factory.)

 

The rears are just compatible with a 1" rear lift, with our leaf sprung suspension, there is no way a set of shocks will lift your rear end (without using it as an artificial bump stop at least).

 

At this point I am stuck between the HBS 2.5" blocks with new struts in the front and back or the Rancho quicklift struts in the front by themselves. I think the firts option is better for the money but I have seen mixed reviews on how the blocks affect the ball joints.

 

That makes a LOT of sense then. The way it lifts the front is by moving up the spring preload, basically in the same way the Rancho's work. I was under the impression the rear lift was somehow done pressurized internally with the 5100's, hence the 0-1" variance, but apparently that's just extra 'travel' distance.

Effectively, going with his current setup and adding the Bilsteins he'd lessening the rake by 2" , but not leveling it?

 

Front coilover spacers and "lift" struts will effect the ball joints the same (given they are the same amount of lift), you're relocating the rest location of the control arms the same way in both cases.