The next step in fixing my FX2's handling under load is upgrading the shocks. I've now got the LT tires and the Roadmaster Active Suspension, but there's still rocking back and forth and side to side. I need to increase the suspension's damping with some heavier duty shocks.

Bilsteins (both 5100 and HD) are supposed to be good, but I get the impression they are more to improve the handling of an unloaded truck.

Another possibility is retrofitting the OEM HD Payload shocks. They should be stiffer than the Bilsteins as they're designed for heavier loads. And they are available AFAIK. Has anybody done this?

I should have just got the HD Payload package to begin with. But hindsight is always 20:20, and my payload is close to 2100# already. Besides I love the FX series and SCab/6.5' bed combo where the HD Payload option is not available.

 

Well, had a long talk with local Ford dealer, and they're pretty sure this will work. So they've ordered in the HD upgrade shocks for a 145" wheel base rwd F150. They're roughly the same price as the Bilsteins.

We'll see how this goes, and I'll report back here.

 

Interesting I just put rancho rs9000 on mine last week it sure did stiffen it up quite a bit. Haven't towed TT yet but had 4000 lbs behind it rested day and got no bounce. I was amazed. I have them set to the stiffest setting

 

I'm not familiar with Ranchos, but that adjustable setting on the rs9000 is a nice feature. They seem to run about 50% more in price than Ford's HD shocks, up here anyway. Keep us posted as to how you like them and how they hold up under load.

 

Well, got the HD Payload shocks put on. I think. The Motorcraft #'s on the boxes agree with what I see at www.fordparts.com at least. ASH-12256 for the rears and ASH-504 for the fronts (4x2 with 145" wheelbase). But nothing else makes sense:

For the fronts, the Box label has: ASH-504 and AL3Z-18124-CA.

And on the new shock itself there's a Blue stripe "Caution" label with "AL34 18045" and 1A13769-A with CB in big letters. WTF? There's nothing on the shock that matches anything on the box. Same with the rears.

And the old front shock has a Yellow stripe "Caution" label with the same "AL34 18045" as the new, but with 1A13768-A and then BB in big letters. Otherwise, they look the same.

I asked the manager, and he waves his hands and says the Blue striped label with the big CB means that's the HD Payload front shock. OK, so I gotta trust the guy. But after he charges me the standard rate of 2.5 hr labour, when the guy clearly only took 1.5 hrs, I'm not happy.

Driving home the ride does seem a bit crisper, but I've changed so much recently (RAS, LT tires) that I'm not sure. The true test will be when I load up the trailer.

By the way, magblue, while reading the Ford Superduty brochure at the dealer, I noticed that Ford's off-road package includes Rancho shocks. Sounds like a vote of confidence to me.

 

I'm interested to hear how the new shocks work out for you. I have been slowly getting my WDH set up just right but I still get some rocking back and forth in the truck going over uneven roads. I am thinking some HD shocks would be the ticket to getting my truck towing a little more solid.

 

Haven't had a chance to load up the truck+trailer yet. Maybe this week.

Unloaded, the new shocks are definitely stiffer but still comfortable. My previous truck had a much stiffer suspension that was a real neck-breaker unloaded, but solid as a rock when towing. Guess I'm looking for something in between.

Overall the combo of RoadmasterActiveSuspension + HDshocks + LT tires seems pretty good so far. I can hear and feel pavement cracks more 'cause of the LT tires, but it's not bad, and there's no tire squirm at all. Sway when cornering has been reduced a lot by the RAS, as well as axle wrap, wheel hop and rear sag. RAS has raised the rear by 1" when unloaded but I can live with that as 75% of the time I'm towing.

Trailer bounce was reduced some by RAS too but not the rocking that follows. That's where I'm hoping the HD shocks will help. We'll see.

Right now I'm thinking you want to stiffen/toughen all 3: springs, shocks and tires to get a suspension that handles well under load.

 

Way back when, I had an F-250 PowerStroke. The OEM shocks were pretty well gone after 30,000 miles, so I replaced them with Monroe Gas-Magnum. Wonderful shocks for that truck. But after another 30,000 miles I heard how the Bilstein shocks were by far the best in the world. So even though the Gas Magnums were not even broken in good, I replaced them with Bilsteins. The Bilsteins were good. Very good. But not really any better than the Gas Magnums.

So when I replace the stock shocks on my EcoBoost, I'll probably go with Gas Magnums.
http://www.monroe.com/products/Gas-Magnum

 

OK, now I'm happy.

The new HD Payload shocks substantially reduce rocking when loaded up (maybe 1600# with tongue weight, kayaks, firewood other gear and people). Coupled with the RAS and LT tires (@ 50-55psi), the truck handles much better both with and without a load.

Again, if the HD Payload package were available in my configuration, I'd probably do that instead. But since it isn't ...

So now we can concentrate on the vacation.

 

Looks like I should be able to do this too. I just ran the 2013 builder, XLT Screw with 6.5' bed, but couldn't find HD payload pkg, then noticed the 5.5' bed had a payload of 1930lbs and the 6.5' had a payload of 2300lbs, so it looks like the HD payload is default on it now. Not planning on a new truck, but the next one (after I wear this one out) will have HD payload.