Replacement Shocks 4x4 XLT vs FX4?

[bruker]

I have an '03 FX4 and I need to replace the shocks. Will shocks for a 4x4 XLT fit on my FX4?

 

[Uncle Gump]

They will...

Don't want to pay the price for the Bilstein's? Seems those jumped in price here lately...

 

[bruker]

Nope, no Bilstein's or expensive shocks for me. The originals are still on there at 125,000 miles and the squeaking is getting to me.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I've always been a fan of KYB shocks... even sold them out of my shop. I put a set of KYB Mono Max shocks on my truck. I really like them... but... I blew one out on the front. It was just outside of the 1 year warranty from the seller. So I bought one to replace it and I have to contact KYB... they have a lifetime warranty. Not sure how it will go... but worth a try.

 

[Dirtman]

Nope, no Bilstein's or expensive shocks for me. The originals are still on there at 125,000 miles and the squeaking is getting to me.

The factory shocks on the fx4 were Bilsteins. They fit and mount the same as the regular 4x4 shocks, the fx4 just got the higher quality brand, vs the standard motorcraft shocks on the regular 4x4.

 

[97RangerXLT]

My Ranger was fitted with Billsteins at the factory in 1997. those shockes lasted 22 years and 192k miles before I swapped them out last year with new Billsteins. and none of those 4 originals were completely worn out, they still had pressure in them. the top end that fits over the bottom end when compressed were rusted through and had chunks missing, but they were not completely shot. I was pretty impressed.

AJ

 

[MikeG]

Bought some Ranchos in the late 1990s, still on the truck ..... not idea about current quality or if you can even get them. But they sure were an improvement over what the truck had from the factory

 

[Dirtman]

I like KYB for on road stuff.

 

[rubydist]

The nos Rancho shocks I put on the 09 FX4 are not nearly as good as the factory Billsteins that were on the 03 FX4. The rear ones aren't so bad but the front Rancho ones are just junk - when I go over a large freeway bump, the front rebounds at least 3 times before it settles down. Good shocks are worth the money imho.

 

[gw33gp]

I thought only the 02 FX4 and later FX4 Level II came from the factory with Bilstein shocks.

I like KYB for off-road also but I don't think they are quite as good as the Bilsteins. They are a good choice though if cost is a factor or Bilsteins are not available for your vehicle. I also like the Bilstein tuned shocks better than the Ford tuned Bilstein shocks.