Any other shocks available besides Ford OEM and Bilstein?

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jastevenson

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Am looking for the softest possible ride, and trying to look at all the options. Thanks!
 

Dice Roll

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Bilsteins actually ride very well. They maintain control and that’s what you need a shock to do. Did very well under my f350.
 

duneslider

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I have the bilsteins and I will say the ride is not quite as "soft" as stock but I think the feel is better. It feels more controlled and less "boat" like. I still feel the ride is very good but I am sure there are lesser quality shocks that would match stock ride and not leak. Maybe look at monroe? Or anything that isn't a nitrogen shock, they will generally be a little stiffer in feel.
 

dlcorbett

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OPs issue is he has tbe base suspension setup, not the ccd. The ccd already has a softer setup than the base setup. The aftermarket shocks are meant to stiffen the ride some, so id think hed be less happy with those. Hes tried to downsize his wheels, i believe hes tried to do different shocks, hes never confirmed if he tried to install navigator springs.
 

Dice Roll

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I drove some base suspension trucks and thought the ride was very good. More controlled than the ccd I ended up with. I’ve grown to like the floaty ccd. The hankrooks aren’t good tires and it wasn’t good in cold weather. They’ve been much better since it got warmer.
 

gtnator

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I drove some base suspension trucks and thought the ride was very good. More controlled than the ccd I ended up with. I’ve grown to like the floaty ccd. The hankrooks aren’t good tires and it wasn’t good in cold weather. They’ve been much better since it got warmer.

Will you consider a different brand of tire next time?


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dlcorbett

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I drove some base suspension trucks and thought the ride was very good. More controlled than the ccd I ended up with. I’ve grown to like the floaty ccd. The hankrooks aren’t good tires and it wasn’t good in cold weather. They’ve been much better since it got warmer.

I tbought my expy was one of the best driving cars ive ever driven period, and the firmish ride has something to do with that. I will say overtime, that firm ride was 2 firm at times and that great blend of control i loved at first became an irritation during some runs. It was never "uncomfy" but if i could do it over, id take the soft, floaty, at times bouncy but cushy and calm ride of the ccd, over the controlled, tight but busy and somewhat stiff base suspension. Im sure the op feels that now.
 

Dice Roll

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Will you consider a different brand of tire next time?


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absolutely. Already have a chunk missing at 1200 miles. Don’t see that with other stuff until they get old and start cracking. Then chunks have come out on others. Not until then. Probably Michelin premier ltx is what I’ll go with.
 

Dice Roll

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I tbought my expy was one of the best driving cars ive ever driven period, and the firmish ride has something to do with that. I will say overtime, that firm ride was 2 firm at times and that great blend of control i loved at first became an irritation during some runs. It was never "uncomfy" but if i could do it over, id take the soft, floaty, at times bouncy but cushy and calm ride of the ccd, over the controlled, tight but busy and somewhat stiff base suspension. Im sure the op feels that now.

I could see how it could get old. I really think these junk hankrooks made me dislike it at first. Really dread the winter on those. Have to get some use out of these. Just a flat waste to toss them now. Can’t wait though.
 

Dr0idattack

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Soft and floaty is more apt to make my family car sick, plus the Bilsteins provide a firmer controller ride for towing. But I could see how some people might want something different.

I think some people have mentioned in the past that they like Rancho shocks better.
 

fischer5

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I just ordered struts from Rockauto for my 2011 LTD EL. I thought about the Bilsteins, however they just come as the shock only , you have to compress the springs and reassemble the struts, extra work and possibly death from using those compression gizmo's. Price was just a little higher with the strut assembly then the standalone bilsteins. Also less work to install. Local auto dealers wanted 2x of the price from Rock auto! The ones I ordered are the Monroe's
MONROE 371139

Monroe® Quick-Strut® assemblies feature a vehicle-specific design and are fit checked, ride tested, and engineered to restore factory ride height and ride performance. Quick-Strut® assemblies include everything you need for strut replacement in a single, fully assembled unit with no need for a spring compressor, for a quicker, safer, and easier repair.

Features :
  • Restores Ride Height -- Precisely calibrated to meet the OE design, each application-specific coil spring type is engineered to restore ride height and support the vehicle’s weight
  • Vehicle Specific Design -- Application-specific coil spring, mount and strut designs ensure optimized ride and handling experience unique to each vehicle profile
  • OE Quality – Preassembled upper strut mount, coil spring, and strut feature an OE-style design for seamless fit, form, and function
  • Made To Last -- Manufactured with high-quality steel, featuring thicker tubes, stronger welds and a superior design to deliver structural integrity and durability
  • Maintains Vehicle Control -- Reduces body sway, vibration and road harshness before it reaches the passenger cabin for improved vehicle handling
  • Improves Steering -- Premium upper strut mount helps ensure smooth, “like-new” steering precision and prevents noise, vibration, harshness and memory steer
  • Rust Resistant -- Protective coating resists rust and corrosion while salt spray testing ensures it’s ready for the elements

Any comments? I will let you know how they go in , in a few days supposed to be here this week.
 

Deadman

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I just ordered struts from Rockauto for my 2011 LTD EL. I thought about the Bilsteins, however they just come as the shock only , you have to compress the springs and reassemble the struts, extra work and possibly death from using those compression gizmo's. Price was just a little higher with the strut assembly then the standalone bilsteins. Also less work to install. Local auto dealers wanted 2x of the price from Rock auto! The ones I ordered are the Monroe's
MONROE 371139

Monroe® Quick-Strut® assemblies feature a vehicle-specific design and are fit checked, ride tested, and engineered to restore factory ride height and ride performance. Quick-Strut® assemblies include everything you need for strut replacement in a single, fully assembled unit with no need for a spring compressor, for a quicker, safer, and easier repair.

Features :
  • Restores Ride Height -- Precisely calibrated to meet the OE design, each application-specific coil spring type is engineered to restore ride height and support the vehicle’s weight
  • Vehicle Specific Design -- Application-specific coil spring, mount and strut designs ensure optimized ride and handling experience unique to each vehicle profile
  • OE Quality – Preassembled upper strut mount, coil spring, and strut feature an OE-style design for seamless fit, form, and function
  • Made To Last -- Manufactured with high-quality steel, featuring thicker tubes, stronger welds and a superior design to deliver structural integrity and durability
  • Maintains Vehicle Control -- Reduces body sway, vibration and road harshness before it reaches the passenger cabin for improved vehicle handling
  • Improves Steering -- Premium upper strut mount helps ensure smooth, “like-new” steering precision and prevents noise, vibration, harshness and memory steer
  • Rust Resistant -- Protective coating resists rust and corrosion while salt spray testing ensures it’s ready for the elements

Any comments? I will let you know how they go in , in a few days supposed to be here this week.


What SCARES me away from those "quick struts" like the Monroe's that come with the springs on them, is that you have NO IDEA what spring rate springs Monroe decided to throw on there! They could be stiff as a board, or they could be super soft springs. Either way, I always reuse my stock springs, knowing the factory did their homework on the spring rates. You might get lucky and you might get real unlucky, its a gamble..... Gotta try it to know! :). Hopefully they work out!
 

Dice Roll

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Those Monroe’s say they restore stock ride. If the goal is a change to softer, not sure this is what you want.
 
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jastevenson

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I went to Monroe's site and it does not appear that they sell shocks for 4th gen Expedition yet, only the older models.
 
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jastevenson

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OPs issue is he has tbe base suspension setup, not the ccd. The ccd already has a softer setup than the base setup. The aftermarket shocks are meant to stiffen the ride some, so id think hed be less happy with those. Hes tried to downsize his wheels, i believe hes tried to do different shocks, hes never confirmed if he tried to install navigator springs.


Yup, I downsized my wheels to 17" (!) and even run the pressures a bit low and still the ride sucks (but slightly better than before). Here's the kicker: I brought my car in for some TSB work and they gave me a loaner Expedition, also on 20" wheels. Ride is significantly better, despite much lower sidewalls.

So I remain 100% sure something is wrong with my suspension. But I took it to two dealerships, and they both told me there is nothing wrong and the struts are fine (or at least not leaking).

So at this point I've dropped 1,500 on new wheels and tires, and am about to drop another $1,000 or so on replacement struts and installation. I did not try the Navigator springs, but am thinking I'll try doing the struts first.
 

wakeboarder

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Yup, I downsized my wheels to 17" (!) and even run the pressures a bit low and still the ride sucks (but slightly better than before). Here's the kicker: I brought my car in for some TSB work and they gave me a loaner Expedition, also on 20" wheels. Ride is significantly better, despite much lower sidewalls.

So I remain 100% sure something is wrong with my suspension. But I took it to two dealerships, and they both told me there is nothing wrong and the struts are fine (or at least not leaking).

So at this point I've dropped 1,500 on new wheels and tires, and am about to drop another $1,000 or so on replacement struts and installation. I did not try the Navigator springs, but am thinking I'll try doing the struts first.

When I pulled one of my leaking struts off, it only allowed about 50% stroke before it stopped solid when pushing it in by hand. Maybe you have the same issue without the leaking.
 

Wegner44

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I purchased these from Amazon and couldn't be happier. I think the ride is better than OEM. It's not harsh at all, yet handles great.

Screenshot_20200617-081009_Amazon Shopping.jpg
 
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