i have an 08 4x4 lariat 5.5 bed truck and i was thinking about replacing the shocks. i know the back are just shocks but what about the front? is it shocks or is it struts or what? thanks..

 

Are you looking for just a better ride or abit of lifting or anything else or just a better ride?

 

well for now just trying to find out what i got up front there cause i see some coil thingy around the shock so im not familiar with what this is. but yes the truck has been on some bumpy roads for 4 years now and i figure its bout time to replace the factory shocks. and yes you read my mind i am considering a bit of lifting/leveling too...

 

They're very, very beefed up McPherson strut assemblies.

here are several options for replacing them, and there is endless information here about leveling or lifting.

 

how often do you think they would need replacing under normal driving conditions?

 

Yes what you have up front is a coil spring with a shock tube inside of that coil and ford did a good job with the f150 front suspension. In back you have leaf springs and a block with another angled tube shock. In most cases there is no need to replace that coil up front however you can easily replace you shocks in front and rear. Bilistien 5100 shocks are a great option for you. They are rather inexpensive and can provide 2" of lift to level your truck as well as give you a better ride. I am about to add them to my 6" lift. Good luck and I'll be happy to help

 

I was thinking the same thing - replace the shocks and coils up front, but with out lifting the truck, is there a point to replacing the coils?
And can the Bilsteins give a slight lift by themselves?

 

Yes, there's a point to replacing the coils.

They break.

 

OK, I get they can break. But is there a life span on them like the shock? Would it be worth while to replace the coil and shock at the same time?

 

Well yes they can break and they can sag but if you dont have a problem with them you don't need to replace them. And I'm not sure how much of a mechanic you are but you could replace the shock rather easy and the coil as well