PSA for late model Super Duty owners with FX4 package

[BlueThunder34]

Some of you may already know this but for those who don't know about the "Rancho" shocks put on the super dutys with the FX4 package read on. My 2016 F350 only has about 8k miles on it and I've noticed it very rough riding when empty and even more jarring when loaded and towing. I understand that one tons ride rough due the nature of their suspensions but it seemed to be getting progressively worse. I researched around and found many complaints on the Rancho shocks that come with the FX4 package and their almost immediate failure, some even claimed the shocks were actually motorcraft parts with a Rancho sticker. Well I crawled under the truck and sure enough stamped on the steel just below the Rancho sticker is "Motorcraft". I decided to go with the tried and true Bilstien 4600s that I have used for years in previous trucks and after about an hour in my garage my truck has a completely different feel. The ride is much more composed, smooth and stable, when towing there is no more jarring. It is incredible, a total night and day difference. The "Ranchos" I took off at 8k miles were completely trashed at all 4 corners, they were easily compressed by hand and 3 out of the 4 never completely rebounded when compressed. For $274 my trucks ride and control has improved 100%. Could I have had them replaced under warranty? Sure, but why replace garbage with garbage, this is a well known issue and I'm surprised Ford continues to use these shocks on a heavy duty truck. If your late model super duty seems to have progressively worsening ride and tow quality even if new,consider the above. I am so glad I made the change!

[Tbos]

Thanks for the info.


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[Desert185]

I used Rancho brand shocks for years and had good luck until the last set (replaced on a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser).

I now have Bilstein 5100's on the TV. They are non-adjustable unlike the Rancho's, but the overall damping seems to be better. They also have a brushed zinc plating that has so far resisted corrosion from rocks chipping the shock body.

My feeling on OEM shocks (unless on a high end vehicle) is that they are substandard to a quality aftermarket shock.

[larry337]

Super Duty stock shocks are garbage with or without the FX4 package. I put Bilstein on my previous and current truck. Night and day difference.

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[vampress_me]

Thank you for this posting. I thought I was losing it when we headed south to our usual campground for the long weekend and the road seemed REALLY rough. We haven't been down that way since the middle of June (and 4000 miles ago on the truck). Even the kids commented the road had seemed to get really rough since then. We have 16,000 miles on our 2016 F-350 with the FX4 package. And yep, under the Rancho sticker is stamped Motorcraft in the metal. I just crawled under and checked. Sad, actually. Our 2009 F-350 was also an FX4, and that was a great ride up until we traded it in on this truck. But I also think those Rancho shocks were yellow in color, for what it's worth. I noticed when we picked up this truck they weren't yellow anymore, but only figured it was a color change, not a whole shock change.

[BirchyBoy]

I just did a quick search and the Motorcraft/Rancho quality issues go way back for years. One post said that Motorcraft licensed the name Rancho for their shocks. Weird.

[bsmith0404]

It's not just the Ford, the OE shocks from GM aren't much better. I did get 40k out of them, but they were probably bad at 25k. Bilsteins all around for me as well. Much happier now and they are still holding up 100k miles later.

[larry337]

For what it's worth, I put Bilstein 5100 on my last truck and 4600 on my current truck. I feel like the 5100 performed better but it's hard to say because my last truck was an F250 crew cab short bed and my current truck is an F-350 crew cab dually so they are two totally different trucks. But either one is better than stock.

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[BlueThunder34]

Thank you for this posting. I thought I was losing it when we headed south to our usual campground for the long weekend and the road seemed REALLY rough. We haven't been down that way since the middle of June. Even the kids commented the road had seemed to get really rough since then. We have 16,000 miles on our 2016 F-350 with the FX4 package. And yep, under the Rancho sticker is stamped Motorcraft in the metal. I just crawled under and checked. Sad, actually. Our 2009 F-350 was also an FX4, and that was a great ride up until we traded it in on this truck. But I also think those Rancho shocks were yellow in color, for what it's worth. I noticed when we picked up this truck they weren't yellow anymore, but only figured it was a color change, not a whole shock change.

I couldn't believe what a difference it has made, if you change them out you won't be disappointed:). I know OEM shocks are never the best, but I have never had them give out so early. If I was able to I would post a video so you could see how easy they are to compress and completely weak in rebounding if at all. The new Bilstien's are very difficult to compress and rebound immediately.

[BlueThunder34]

For what it's worth, I put Bilstein 5100 on my last truck and 4600 on my current truck. I feel like the 5100 performed better but it's hard to say because my last truck was an F250 crew cab short bed and my current truck is an F-350 crew cab dually so they are two totally different trucks. But either one is better than stock.

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I went back and forth on which ones to buy as well between the 5100 and 4600. I gave up and called customer service at Bilstein and asked the gentleman what the difference was between the two, he stated that performance wise they are exactly the same and that the only difference was the 5100 are for applications on trucks lifted/leveled up to 2" from stock and the silver (aluminum?) shell as opposed to the yellow and blue of the 4600's made for stock trucks. I have no idea if that's accurate or not, but that is what he told me. I tried comparing the specs myself and they do seem very similar.

[Desert185]

I went back and forth on which ones to buy as well between the 5100 and 4600. I gave up and called customer service at Bilstein and asked the gentleman what the difference was between the two, he stated that performance wise they are exactly the same and that the only difference was the 5100 are for applications on trucks lifted/leveled up to 2" from stock and the silver (aluminum?) shell as opposed to the yellow and blue of the 4600's made for stock trucks. I have no idea if that's accurate or not, but that is what he told me. I tried comparing the specs myself and they do seem very similar.

The "aluminum shell" or body is actually a zinc coating for corrosion protection.

[larry337]

The "aluminum shell" or body is actually a zinc coating for corrosion protection.
They look better than the blue and yellow too. If I could get a do over I'd get the 5100's again.

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[Desert185]

They look better than the blue and yellow too. If I could get a do over I'd get the 5100's again.

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Yellow is a classic Bilstein color, but I like the zinc, and the plating really holds up preventing rust after rock nicks.

[xcntrk]

Great information on the Bilstein 4600 (or 5100 alternatives for lifted rigs)...

I would add to your input that simply replacing the stock Rancho's isn't always the answer as many aftermarket shocks are different. I went a different route and ended up getting burned. At 5k miles I too replaced my stock Rancho's, for all the reasons you described, but instead went with the highly raved Fox IPF 2.0 shocks. There is a cult following behind these shocks and how can the community be wrong :rolleyes:

While these shocks are very nice with a super high quality in craftsmanship and finish; they actually produced too soft and squishy of a ride. This is GREAT when rolling empty, but hook up that 16k pound trailer and the result is a worse ride than the Rancho's! More up/down bobbing, more body roll, etc, presumably all from the softer damping/rebound configuration. In the end, I uninstalled the Fox shocks and went back to the Rancho's. Granted my towing performance is restored but the empty ride sucks again... I'm tempted to buy the Bilsteins but still recovering from the waste of money on the Fox shocks.

So lessons learned - the stock Rancho's have room for improvement, but be careful with selection of alternative shocks and ensure what you select meets your application needs!


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[bsmith0404]

I personally like the classic yellow/blue combo. It stands out and when I see it, I know there is a quality shock in place. The only other shock I would consider is a KYB, which I have on the vette. They are a great shock that I like for a sports car application. I've never tried their HD truck version, but I assume they would perform well.

Fox is known for off road applications, I wouldn't trust them for a HD towing app. I just don't think they test their shock under those conditions.

[Desert185]

I installed KYB's on my BIL's Dodge 1/2 ton. Pretty disappointing, actually. We put KYB's taxi/police interceptor shocks on his old Caprice and they are terrific. It would seem KYB broke the code for cars, but somehow didn't do their homework for pickups.

Just to clarify on the Bilstein 4600 vs 5100 shocks...the 5100's are not specifically for lifted vehicles. They advertise different 5100 versions that apply to 0-2, 0-3 or 0-4" lift. I don't have a lift and have the 0-2" lift version, primarily for the zinc plated shock body. The painted or powder coated version shocks look pretty rough after a few years (I know, they're shocks, but...). The 5100's, in my case, work very well empty or towing. I would assume the 4600's would work just as well. A contractor friend put them (blue) on his '05 Ram 3500 and he likes them. He lives in Kalifornia's Eldorado County, and appreciates the improved ride on the county's rural roads.

FWIW, nothing :), I do have the yellow Bilsteins on the El Camino, though. :cool:

[Dave W]

I put Bilstein 5100's on my last truck, a short bed F350 FX4 oem 'Ranchos' and was pretty happy though it was a kind of choppy ride. This truck, an F250 long bed with actually a heavier suspension by part numbers, decided to try something different and somewhat less expensive so went with KYB. These have about 40K on them - still look good and still have a decent ride after many miles of hauling a pretty big sized 5er. Don't know what I would try if new shocks were needed but might again try the gaudy painted Bilstein's