The Best Shocks for Ford F150 4×4

Shocks play an integral role in the suspension system of your car to enable a smooth ride and proper control of the steering system when turning on curves. Surely from my compilation of the best shocks for Ford F150 4×4 you can find the best fit for your car.

Because of a number of shocks on the market, it can get overwhelmingly tougher to choose the best one. However, with the best guidance as I did in here you could master the technique of choosing great shocks.

I’ve chosen the top 5 shocks for a heavy-duty Ford F150. Automotive parts such as shocks are seldom universal, and so you should be careful of the vehicle type, model, and size before ordering. Thanks to the multi-year experience I have to make the process easy for you.

Without wasting too much time, let’s delve into the best shocks for your Ford 4×4 F150.

Starting off my list is the high-performing Rancho RS999910 Quick Lift Loaded Strut, the best shock absorber for the Ford F150 4×4 known for its great features.

Design

The liquid metallic finish gives the shock absorber an aesthetic appeal and protection against the elements.

This shock absorber is a monotube type which provided a fade-free performance and durability.

Thanks to a rugged design that makes Ford F150 suitable for harsh driving conditions. The mechanism of the shock absorber will surely reduce tear and wear when faced with rough off-roads.

Although it seems a bit expensive, having this shock absorber can give your Ford F150 a smooth and comfortable ride, especially if you are an off-roader. The size of Ford F150 makes it attractive to travel on rough terrains if you are an outdoor enthusiast like myself.

However, stock shocks might not withstand such abuse of bouncing on rough terrains. Most are designed for high way smooth roads.

Key Features

The benefit of the product is that it helps level the front suspension to align with the rear one by removing the factory rake. This helps when hauling overloads.

It can clear a way for 35 inches high tires. And to control the product, it possesses the 9-position tuning technology which makes it convenient for custom ride configurations.

The Rancho Loaded QuickLIFT technology operates wirelessly meaning you can effortlessly control your shocks while seated inside the car. Only a few shock absorbers’ technologies can afford you this privilege.

Installation

Aftermarket automotive parts always come at a rescue when your OEM parts are malfunctioning or need to be replaced. For a DIY enthusiast this shock absorber is the best product to consider.

It is relatively easy to install as it comes pre-installed with the coil spring and the upper mount.

In case you encounter problems within 90 days, the manufacturer is offering a full-refund. The other benefit is the lifetime warranty against defects.

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If you are looking for a combo to repair several automotive parts including leveling and lifting your Ford F150, this kit could be a best buy. Although WULF Lift Kit is quite expensive, about 3 times more than my first product above, it is a kit worth considering for your pickup truck needs.

Features

The kit components are made of quality materials resistant to wear and tear; they will last for a long time. Also, it is easy to install with the instructions provided. Just remember to take the car for wheel alignments after installing the parts.

Before ordering, note that it is compatible with the 2004 to 2018 Ford F150 4WD. The raptor models are not compatible with this kit.

Included in the package are the rear shocks, rear blocks, U-bolts, strut spacers, upper control arms and necessary hardware for installation.

Installation

It shouldn’t take you the entire day trying to install as it is a bolt-on kit, therefore easy to install even if you have never installed before as long as you can follow the instructions carefully. If you are skeptical about your skills, then hire a professional mechanic as you wouldn’t want to jeopardize your safety.

After installing these components, you need to consider a wheel alignment.

Usually, pickup trucks come with unleveled front and rear suspension systems, and so having this kit will help achieve the leveling.

The kit components are made of quality materials resistant to wear and tear; they will last for a long time. Also, it is easy to install with the instructions provided. Just remember to take the car for wheel alignments after installing the parts.

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Considering the number of components in this kit, you would not believe it is one of the cheapest on the market.

But that shouldn’t give you the mindset that it is a mediocre kit – you will be surprised how effective it is.

Included in Rough Country 52230-2-inch Leveling Lift Kit are the strut extensions, shock absorbers for rear and front, and necessary hardware for installations.

Key Features

If your Ford F150’s shocks have degraded in performance and you start to notice uncontrollable bounces and turnings, it is time to consider replacing them. These shock absorbers in this kit will not compromise the factory’s ride quality.

Driving on off-road terrains is a demanding task. Light shock absorbers may not withstand the abuse. With these shock absorbers you are all sorted’ they are made from heavy-duty composite materials that are resistant of rust.

Note that the kit components are compatible with 2009 to 2018 Ford F150 4WD/2WD but not the Raptor models. The benefits to these models is a great ground clearance so you can fit larger tires up to 33 inches. The kit can be a solution to nose driving conditions or rolling cars when applying brakes or turning.

All in all, the kit lifts your Ford F150 by 2 inches. Outdoor enthusiasts can rejoice with this lift range although it is not really the best on the market.

Installation

You need not uninstall the struts to install these components. For this reason, anyone, including the inexperienced can install the components in about 3 to 4 hours provided you follow the instructions.

However, remember to give a professional mechanic your car for alignment as you can’t afford to gamble with your life.

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This time I bring you the strut and the spring assembly for your Ford F150 4×4. I know how confusing it gets to differentiate between the strut and the shock absorber.

In a nutshell, the strut and the shocks have the same purpose on your suspension systems – that is to smoothen the ride and prevent damages when your vehicle bounces intensively on potholes or rough roads.

Detroit Axle 4×4 ONLY Complete Strut & Spring Assembly is one such product worth considering for Ford owners.

Installation

Note that the product is compatible with models 2004 to 2008 Ford F150 4×4. Please ensure that your Ford falls in this size category because oftentimes you might have to incur shipping costs for wrong purchases.

Detroit Axle is undoubtedly one of the pioneer leaders in ride control products to OEM specifications. That said, with this product you won’t compromise the factory’s riding quality.

It is easy to install the product with no special tools required. Just remove the factory strut and replace with this assembly in one piece. Instructions are provided. Spring and mounts also included, and so this makes it a cinch to install.

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Wrapping up my top 5 reviews is the Bilstein 33-187501 5100 Series Shock. It is the most affordable shock absorber for Ford F150 in my list and so it will not break your bank.

However, do not mistake it as a mediocre product based on its cheap price. Most of the expensive products are kit with several components but this is a single component: shock absorbers.

Key Features

Featuring a monotube design, this product will provide a fade-free performance consistently for many years.

Also unique to the product is the digressive, unique and velocity sensitive piston which adapts easily to dynamic driving conditions.

Whether you plan for outings frequently or drive on a smooth road, this product would be more suitable for your Ford F150.

Revive your worn out stock shocks with these ones without compromising the ride quality. With quality shocks you won’t feel much of the difference between riding on gravel and the high way as they absorb impact resulting from bounces due to stones or potholes.

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Buyer’s Guide for Ford F150 Shocks

Contents:

Now let’s delve into the buyer’s guide that helps equip you with skills on how to choose the best shocks for Ford F150 4×4. Shocks generally come in different sizes, styles and types, the choice of which can be confusing to newbies.

Don’t worry, I will go through the frequently asked questions and also highlight the important features worth considering when buying these shocks.

What is a reflex shock?

A reflex shock is a shock absorber that is suitable for passenger vehicles and that is engineered to give you a full control of your vehicle when controlling and handling it. The shock absorber optimize the control of the car when riding on assorted roads. It is more stable than standard gas shocks at low speeds as it uses the Twin-Disc technology.

What are the signs of bad shocks?

Knowing the signs of bad shocks helps replace them sooner as they can jeopardize your safety. This YouTube video helps explain this topic further.

Typically, bad shocks will signal you with a heavily bouncing car which is a sign that the shocks are not effective in absorbing the impacts. They no longer give a firm support to the coil springs, which are the integral part of the suspension system.

If your car experiences nose dives or rear end squats dipping, it is a sign that you are sitting with bad shock absorbers.

The sooner the better you replace them as the car’s frame could be scratched easily if your drive on rocky roads or potholes. Furthermore, heavy loads will be problematic to load on a Ford F150 with ineffective shocks.

Oil leakage and broken seals are also signs of bad shocks. Shocks have the hydraulic fluid sealed in a tube. If it leaks, it could be a sign of a potential damage to the seal and that needs to be repaired.

Are struts the same as shocks?

The difference between struts and shocks remains confusing even to date. Although they do the same basic job, they are different. They help prevent bouncing and oscillating of the vehicle by supporting the coil spring. As a result, they improve your ride quality.

Many people use the term strut and shock interchangeably, and, furthermore, other vehicles have shocks at the rear end and struts at the front. These parts are not found concurrently on the same wheel. In a nutshell, struts are the structural components of the suspension system whereas shocks are not.

Struts are a part that contains the coil springs. When replacing struts, a serious wheel alignment is needed thereafter than with the shocks. Also, struts are more expensive than shocks.

How long do shocks last?

It’s challenging to assign a number of years on the durability of shocks as their endurance depends on several factors such the road your ride on frequently, how extreme do you drive, and how often do you load heavy loads. Ideally, shocks would last for about 5 years provided your Ford is not being subjected to abuse on the road. In some cases they can even last for about 10 years if you consistently ride on a smooth road.

Rough roads with plenty of potholes are an enemy to the longevity of shocks. Some manufacturers advise owners to inspect and repair shocks after a certain number of miles and then annually to ensure that they are still functional. This could differ from one manufacturer to the other. Typically 50000 miles are enough to inspect or change shocks.

Should I replace all 4 shocks at the same time?

There is no hard rule on whether you should replace all 4 shocks at the same time or not. However, it is strongly recommended to do so. For instance, if replacing front struts, do them in pairs, and when replacing rear shocks do them in pairs to ensure efficiency in shock dampening.

There’s no significant wear difference between the shocks unlike other steering system components. A new shock will absorb the impact better than the old, and so replacing only one shock at a time may not be as efficient. Instead, replace all at the same time.

Is it dangerous to drive with bad shocks?

It is not really life threatening to drive with bad shocks as they will not really damage the wheel bearing. However, they will make it hard to control your car especially in bumpy roads, which can be dangerous if driving at high speeds. Driving on high roads with bad shocks will feel as though you are riding on a gravel road.

Whenever you hit large cracks and potholes, you will struggle to control it, and the car may be a victim of nose dives that will eventually scratch the car. It is better to replace the bad shocks than experience these inconveniences.

Important features to look at when buying shocks for Ford F150 4×4

Shocks come in different features worth considering before putting out your hard-earned dollars. You need to consider the types of shocks, price, materials, and ease of installation.

Types of shocks

Shocks come in varieties such as gas, standard, air, overload, heavy-duty, and automatic. The choice of these types will depend on the vehicle you drive. Because the Ford F150 is heavy duty, you should consider the heavy duty type of shock absorbers, which are good for off-road travelling.

Also noteworthy is the design: monotube and twin-tube designs. For smooth ride twin-tube design is better and for rough road conditions monotube design is better.

Ease of installation

As a Ford owner, you wish to cut cost to install the shocks on your own. That is possible and the only cost to incur would be the wheel alignment which need a professional mechanic. Shocks come with clear installation instructions which should be easy for any DIY enthusiast.

However, it may get tougher to install custom shock absorbers as they need someone with and extensive experience. In that case you have no choice but to outsource the services of a professional mechanic.

Materials

Build materials are determinants of ho durable your shocks will be. Usually, shocks are made of either aluminum or steel, which are both durable materials. Steel is more durable whereas aluminum is lightweight.

Also noteworthy is the coating on shocks that prevents rust and corrosion when exposed to the elements. Aluminum is naturally corrosion resistant whereas steel needs some coating unless it is stainless steel.

Price

The price is also worth considering. However, do not mistake low priced shocks as mediocre or high priced ones as high quality. The price is not always proportional to the quality. First check the features and then compare the prices accordingly.

In my reviews, I have individual shocks and kits. It will help to consider a kit with other suspension components such as leveling and lifting kits.

Wrap up

I have reached the end of the reviews. I believe you are well-informed about the best shock absorbers for Ford F150, and known exactly how to choose the best. It is important to consider replacing shocks often, especially when faced with an uncontrollable car on rough roads.

Consider the features such as the build materials, types of shocks and the ease of installation when making purchases. The buyer’s guide has answered some frequently asked questions to increase your vocabulary in shock replacement.

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