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High Plains
Member
Joined: 17 Jul 2006
Posts: 180
Location: Nebraska
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 Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject: Question on Pickup Shocks |
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I need some new shocks on my 1999 F150. What are the specifications of a good shock? I don't need anything real fancy or high-performance, but I know that the quality and price level sure ranges pretty wide. Anyone wish to share a little advice? Thanks.
HP
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Doug Thorson
Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2007
Posts: 299
Location: western SD
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| Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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Beat it across the ranch pickup or a lot of highway miles? If it is the first buy the most expensive name brand shock you can afford. If it is a couple off road miles and then back on the highway most anything will do.
FYI my favorite name brand is Carquest.
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Soapweed
Rancher
Joined: 11 Feb 2005
Posts: 6395
Location: northern Nebraska Sandhills
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SHORTSTUFF
Member
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 72
Location: DUSTY FLATS
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:44 am Post subject: |
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Price usually coincides with warranty on shocks. If you plan to keep the unit a long time ,buy top of the line and get a lifetime warranty and a great ride.
Hire Soapweed to install them, seems he's all itchy anyway.( that must be experience talking)
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Soapweed
Rancher
Joined: 11 Feb 2005
Posts: 6395
Location: northern Nebraska Sandhills
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Maple Leaf Angus
Rancher
Joined: 10 Feb 2005
Posts: 1823
Location: Southern Ontario
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:59 am Post subject: |
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I don't know what kind of load you are putting in the back of that pickup, but in my experience, nothing will blow out shocks quicker than overloading them.
I carry a BIG load on my Chevy 1500 regularly several times a year, but not weekly or anything like that. My shocks would not take it. Because the job came up only every month or two, I was reluctant to put heavy springs in it. Didn't want to lose a smooth ride permanently just to carry the infrequent extra-heavy load.
The solution I found was from Firestone in the form of "Ride Rite" airbags on the back axle. They are easy to install ( I did it myself!) and I inflate them to 60 PSI only when I need them. The rest of the time, it is necessary to have only 5 -10 PSI in them and they don't take away a nice, smooth ride, which is kinda nice since our pickup gets used for a family transportation vehicle as well.
With that air-ride suspension, I can carry my 1 tonne load load of parts to the electro-platers and back and barely feel that I have a load on.
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High Plains
Member
Joined: 17 Jul 2006
Posts: 180
Location: Nebraska
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Maybe we'll be able to change that someday, but for now it's to work and back and down the road. Sure keeps it in good shape, though.