Hello, been awhile since I've been here. I have a 97 f150 with a 3 1/2" body lift. I recently started to get really bad side to side rocking on the express way when I hit rough roads. Kinda feels like when you pull a trailer and the trailer starts to sway. I'm thinking shocks, but I'm not sure what needs to be replaced. I have Rancho's on the back, not sure on the front because they are pretty rusty and can't find a name. I'm thinking of staying with the Rancho's and I'm on a tight budget so I have to do it myself. If anyone can give me some advice on what I should do (I've never replaced shocks myself), or if it could be another problem, I would really appreciate it. I have other questions that I'll post separately.

Thanks!

 

It will be cheaper to take it to a competent mechanic and have them diagnose the source of the problem, rather than blindlingly throw parts at it in hopes of a solution.

 

I'm hoping to get an idea of what I'm looking at. One shop I took it to said a set of shocks, installed would cost me over $500. I know I can get a set of 4 for under $200 and my father-in-law can help me with it. I just want to know if there is anything other than shocks that could be causing the rocking/swaying. I know I need new tires, but I keep them at the proper pressure and they're not in really bad shape. I need to replace a front wheel bearing and 2 years ago I replaced the driver side upper control arm and tie rod. This new problem started kind of suddenly this winter and seems to be getting worse. I can feel a kind of clunk under the driver side floor when I go over a rough patch of road.

I would like to have an idea of possible problems before I take it to a mechanic because I need to make sure I have the money for repairs. I'm on an extremely tight budget and just can't afford the labor cost on some of these repairs, that's why I usually do it myself. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated so i can plan for the repairs.
Thanks!