My 2003 F150 XLT needs 4 new shocks. I looked at AllShocks online and they said the 4600 Bilstein are on backorder until some time in October. I don't know if the original equipment is a monotube or gas or whatever. Looking online it sounds like the monotube are better than the twin tube. Don't know if it really matters or not.

Seems like most places that replace shocks use Monroe. I know there are those that don't like them but can they really be that bad if so many places use them? I got an estimate from 3 different places and they all price a different model.

I really don't haul anything heavy and it is not used as a daily work truck. If someone needed help moving I would help them but other than that the truck is not going to be filled with heavy loads. It is 2 wheel drive. I would guess that the Sensa-Trac would be the right Monroe from what I see. I would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions.

 

Nothing wrong with Monroe. The sensatracks and reflexes are good for a budget shock. I use the Sensatracks and haul a boat and drive across bumpy lakes all winter without complaint.

 

I bought my blisteins from amazon and ebay. Got a great deal.

 

I just put some Monroe Gas-Magnums on my front and am happy with them. I got them from Advance Auto for $60 with a discount code.
I have some Gabriel Ultra on the rear and noticed no real difference from the 13 yr old OEM shocks that were on there.
Stay away from the Monroe Gas-Matic. Our trucks are too heavy for them and they fail within a few months and have no warranty (the Gas Magnums, Sensa Trac and Reflex all have lifetime warranty).

KYB has some good reviews also, and I saw them on for the fronts, so that is another good option.

 

Thanks for this post, irr. I'm needing shocks for my '02 too. I'm thinking of getting the Monroe sensatracs or wha'ever they're called. I had to do a double take when old Tackle said he drives his truck across bumpy lakes, but then I remembered he lives in nice Minnesota. A place where you don't talk about the temperature.

 

I have rancho rs5000 and cant complain. Handle everything I throw at them up here in Wisco. For 50 bucks a piece you cant go wrong.

 

That's what I have in my 02 FX4 and needing to replace again

 

Same here. Love my 4600s.

 

I had the Sensa Trac put on front and back and I did need them I think they were the original shocks. I have had an issue with this truck and that is one of the reasons I replaced them. When I first bought the truck I had a bumpy ride at about 65 but that was it.

The place I bought it had put on Chinese tires, brand new ones. Last time I had them balanced they said they had flat spots and had to be put on a certain way to compensate. I bought new tires a few months later somewhere else, Wranglers with Kevlar and the truck rode brutal. They were balanced and rebalanced 4 times and still bad ride. They put another set of them on and the same thing so they switched to Firestone Destination Le2 at my request. Same thing, bumpy ride at all speeds although at first they were better than the Wranglers.

The front end has been checked and rechecked along with steering parts. After having the Sensa Trac put on yesterday I had a long highway ride today and same thing. It is like you are going over small bumps all the way down the road at different speeds, highway and back roads even on new roads.

I had never owned a truck before and don't ride in any others so my question is this. Is this the normal ride for these older Ford trucks? Like you are going over small bumps all the way down the street? I realize it is not a luxury car but would like to understand if this is normal. Doing a search I have seen some have issues with them with vibration or whatever at highway speeds. At this point I don't know what else it could be. I have also recently had front and rear brakes replaced.

One other thing I have done is while travelling at highway speed I slip it into neutral and it does not change. I figured maybe the engine is missing under load so I did that. So everything is tight, new brakes, tires, shocks and it still feels like constant small bumps all the way down the road. I don't know if I should ignore it or be concerned.

My other option would be to get rid of it and go used because I would rather not buy a new one right now and buying used at what I want to spend puts me right back at mileage that could require spending money replacing parts and I would probably have to give 5 or 6 thousand more to get that. So I really don't want to do that but I am extremely frustrated with this truck.

I do recall several years back I took a Ford Ranger for a drive that looked to be in real good shape and it was a really bumpy ride all the way down the street but it had the Wranglers which are a more aggressive tread than what I have on mine. Please tell me, is a bumpy ride normal for these older Ford pickups?

 

Wha' year ye truck, Irr? My '02 rides smooth. I have Goodrich tires with over 60,000 miles, they look like they'll go another 15-20,000 miles. Original shocks, which I want to replace. Hmmm, I don't know.