Hi, I'm Ken Coul, and I was asked to share my view of the best shocks for F350 Super Duty Ford.
As you most probably know, there are three types of shocks that you can buy for your vehicle, and I present them at the end of this guide. Just a quick note though on this, if you want absolute comfort, just add a telescopic strut to your vehicle and retain the OEM suspension.
If, however, you are looking for a real upgrade in performance then add the strut type, which will improve suspension a bit, and finally, if you want a lighter performance for racing, buy a full upgraded spring seat type.
Top-Rated Shocks for F350 Super Duty List:
Photo Product name Feature Pros More infoTen-stage velocity sensitive valving Provides tuning specifically for each vehicle
- 5/8-in. (16mm) diameter piston rod Adds strength and durability
- 1 3/8-in. (35mm) diameter piston Ensures performance in any environment
- Protective boot included Protects the shock rod and oil seal
Now, for those of you that are fans of vehicles in the air, remember this, the wheels are what connect your car to the ground. A free flying wheel means you have no control over your vehicle, and as such, you will lose the race.
Good shocks, or even better, the best shocks will keep your wheels firmly on the ground and give you full steerage, braking and acceleration control over your vehicle. Also, take note, telescopic struts are not replacements for suspension, they do not do anything but maintain the tires contact with the surface.
Nuff' said about this, now its time to look at the best shocks on the market for your Ford F350 Super Duty.
Best Shocks for F350 Super Duty Review:
The Bilstein B8 5100 12-186018 shock is a monotube shock absorber designed to provide a superior and cooler operation. This model comes with the widest piston diameter and provides superior handling and performance.
The 5100 series comes with a patented digressive valve that reacts instantly to changing surface conditions providing you with maximum comfort and control on all surfaces.
These shocks integrate split compression and a rebound valving tuned for specific applications, so make sure you order the correct model number for your vehicle. This model fits all 2005-2016 F350 Super Duty.
Specifications- Internal Design: Monotube
- Adjustable Valving: No
- Gas Charged: Yes
- Extended Length (in): 420 in.
- Collapsed Length (in): 590 in.
- Bushing Material: Rubber
- Bushing Color: Black
- Boot Included: Yes
- Boot Color: Black
Rancho® RS55042™ is a twin tube shock absorber that comes with a ten-stage velocity sensitive valving solution that delivers specific tuning for your F350 application.
These shocks come with a 5/8" (16mm) diameter piston rod and a 1 3/8" (35mm) diameter piston that provides both strength and performance as well as duration over any surface.
This model comes with a protective boot that covers the shock rod and oil seal and has a lifetime warranty.
Specifications- Internal Design: Twin-tube
- Adjustable Valving: No
- Gas Charged: No
- Extended Length (in): 750 in.
- Collapsed Length (in): 750 in.
- Upper Mount: Stud
- Lower Mount: Eyelet
- Bushing Material: Rubber
- Bushing Color: Red
- Boot Included: Yes
- Boot Color: Red
The Rancho® RS9000™XL is an adjustable 9-position shock that comes with a Large, 2.75" (70mm) tri-tube body that provides increased fluid capacity for cooler operations. This model also comes with a Large, heavy-duty 18mm Nitro-Carb rod that is engineered to increase scuffing resistance and protect against corrosion.
The 9-position tuning technology comes with a 9-Position adjustment knob that gives you absolute control over the application performance you desire. The construct uses gas pressurization of shock which reduces the air-to-oil mixture lowering heat. The Graphite-filled, Fluon banded piston design delivers smoother piston travel and increases the responsiveness.
With its 1 ¼" diameter Sintered Iron piston you get a much more powerful structural integrity and the rebound Bumper aids in controlling rebound motion in extreme conditions. It comes with double-welded loops for extra strength and durability.
This model integrates a low-friction, self-lubricating seal that is engineered to add protection against the accumulation of debris and dirt, and the protective boot completes this protection for the shock rod and oil seal.
To finish this all off, it is coated with a liquid metallic finish.
Specifications- Internal Design: Triple-tube
- Adjustable Valving: Yes
- Gas Charged: Yes
- Extended Length (in): 610 in.
- Collapsed Length (in): 950 in.
- Upper Mount: Stud
- Lower Mount: Eyelet
- Bushing Material: Polyurethane
- Bushing Color: Red
- Boot Included: Yes
- Boot Color: Red
- Body Diameter (in): 750 in.
The Bilstein B8 5100 24-062466 shock is another great monotube shock absorber designed to provide a superior and cooler operation. This model is identical to the 12-186018, and also comes with the widest piston diameter, and provides superior handling and performance.
The 5100 series comes with a patented digressive valve that reacts instantly to changing surface conditions providing you with maximum comfort and control on all surfaces.
These shocks integrate split compression and a rebound valving tuned for specific applications, so make sure you order the correct model number for your vehicle. This model fits all 1999-2004 F350 Super Duty.
Specifications- Internal Design: Monotube
- Adjustable Valving: No
- Gas Charged: Yes
- Bushing Material: Rubber
- Bushing Color: Black
- Boot Included: Yes
- Boot Color: Black
The Gabriel Ultra shocks and struts model G63810 is a classic strut shock absorber for the 1999-2004 F350 Super Duty Ford vehicles. This is an exceptional aftermarket upgrade and provides your vehicle with infinitely variable damping that provides immediate on-demand control over all road conditions.
The G-Force technology is engineered to deliver faster responses, and the StableSteer valving maintains your tires contact with the surface at all times. This is imperative for constant control and safety.
This model comes with a 1 3/8" bore piston that has a bonded iron construction which is designed for a more rugged and longer life durability.
The leak-proof piston seal and rod guide are constructed in a way that eliminates oil bypass, and the orifice control disk comes with a 9-stage variable valving, so you maintain a consistent flow of oil.
This model is finished with a chromed piston rod, that provides superior corrosion resistance, and the larger tube provides better cooling features.
Specifications- Adjustable Valving: No
- Gas Charged: Yes
- Extended Length (in): 600 in.
- Collapsed Length (in): 570 in.
- Upper Mount: Eyelet
- Lower Mount: Eyelet
- Boot Included: No
KYB Excel-G gas shocks and struts use a unique rely on velocity-sensitive valving that responds immediately to the road conditions as and when they occur.
This model is constructed with sintered-iron pistons and guide rods to provide extra strength, and the hard-chrome piston rods are integrated for durability. These components work flawlessly together when assembled in the seamless cylinders that come with seamlessly welded eye rings removing any weak spots in the shell.
This model is designed specifically for all 1999-2004 F350 Super Duty Ford models.
Specifications- Internal Design: Twin-tube
- Adjustable Valving: No
- Gas Charged: Yes
- Boot Included: No
Shock absorbers are designed to help reduce the free flight effect that cars would have when going over irregular surfaces. This means that even if you have a great suspension, your tires will leave the surface of the road when the roll over a rock or branch. The moment your tire leaves the surface of the road, you lose control over everything, including steering, braking, and acceleration. As such, it is highly important for both safety and control that you have the best shock absorbers installed on your vehicle, and for specific applications.
Remember, the suspension is one thing, shocks are another, and you cannot use a standard telescopic shock as a weight supporting suspension device. However, there are solutions to this conundrum for people that seek ways to reduce weight by incorporating hybrid devices. So, let's take a look at the three types of shocks that vary in the level of support they offer your suspension.
Standard telescopic shock absorbers: these do not offer any replacement or support to your suspension. These are classic gas and oil filled tubes designed to keep your tires on the ground at all times. You can buy OEM replacements and upgrade them in the aftermarket too, all dependent on the performance and conditions you are seeking.
Strut type shock absorbers: these offer a little bit of support to your suspension system, as such, when you use these you actually add more comfort to your ride while maintaining a firm grip on the road. These are perfect for haulage and other heavy duty applications and are found on off-road vehicles due to their additional suspension support.
Spring seat shocks: These are full suspension replacement models, and can reduce the weight of your vehicle while adding exceptional suspension support. These have two applications, racing, where you reduce the weight of your vehicle, as well as for heavy duty off-road applications that require both the original suspension and these added suspension bearing shock absorbers.