Installing Bilstein 4600 Shocks - A Much Improved F 350 Ride

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#ilovervlife #Bilstein4600shocks #TonTruckRideQuality We’re installing Bilstein 4600 Shocks on our one-ton dually. We were looking for a much improved ride in our F-350 Ford Truck. Let’s face it - these large one-ton trucks, regardless or make or model, are designed as work trucks and made to haul thousands of pounds. As a result, these things ride like a tank and on rough highways can feel like you’re towing through a war zone. For the past several years, we have been on the look out for products and methods to improve the ride quality of our F-350 dually, both when towing our 5th wheel and when we’re uncoupled touring about. Installing these Bilstein 4600 shocks made a substantial improvement in ride quality.
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Опубликовано:

16 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 119

@bryansanges6679 3 года назад

These, in my opinion are the best shocks ever made. I've put them on everything I've owned since my first ride in a 90's model Z-71 Chevy. That truck seemed to float. Just put them on my Hummer H3 and it became a whole new truck. Amazing difference and in high speed maneuvers its the difference between success and a crash. Believe me. I know.

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Thanks for the input Bryan. We’re on a trip now. Significant improvement in ridge quality.

@kencooper5201 3 года назад

Replaced my shocks on 2014 F250 with 4600 2 months ago. Big Big difference. You will enjoy the ride.

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Thanks Ken.

@jameschism2459 3 года назад

Thanks Jerry, this is the video I have been waiting for! Will be ordering Bilstein shocks for my F-350.

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Good to hear James. We just made a 400 mile trip to a campground. After a little break-in the ride is even better.

@silcom2000 Год назад

The instructions say to torque the bushings, on the front shock, to 35 to 46 lb ft. That flattens the bushings to a pancake, far more compressed than I'm used to seeing. Is that your experience? Also, the instructions call for using a 6mm Allen to hold the shaft from turning, not vise grips. I'd be concerned that may damage the chrome shaft and create a seal leak. So far, I haven't heard back from Bilstein.

@sevanson1 24 дня назад

get the Milwaukee M 18 1400 pound impact and you will never look back! Not for shocks, not for other undercarriage, not for brakes, not for Engine work, and there’s nothing better than that in the back when you go down the road and I have a flat tire. I’ve tried all the rest and I think you would eventually agree with me that is by far the best bang for the buck.

@iLoveRVlife 23 дня назад

Thanks. Haven’t tried the Milwaukee M18. I have a Dewalt 20V MAX XR that’s worked well.

@brucehogan1218 Год назад

Don’t forget to order new S&B body mounts. That is the true game changer.

@JTBCOOL1 5 месяцев назад

You can tell the older fogeys don't use a torque wrench because they just have that experience and feel for the right tightness!

@aaronfrench8322 Год назад

Bilstein also makes a steering stabilizer in the same line of shocks, I would highly recommend putting that on the truck as well.

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Thanks

@RogerZelaya1 Год назад

Your video helped me decide to replace the original shocks on my 2016 F350. The truck has 142,000 miles and it’s time. I too tow a 5th wheel that weighs 12,000 dry

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Thanks for watching.

@hiddendanger1874 Год назад

Thanks for the inspiration, you make it look so easy! You think I can install them?

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

It wasn’t difficult. If you’re handy with a wrench it shouldn’t be a problem.

@texasproud3332 3 года назад

I agree with you the bilsteins are great shocks

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

👍

@kevinsigler6747 2 года назад

Thank you for taking us along on your trip.

@iLoveRVlife 2 года назад

Glad we could bring you along.

@hardtruth2039 3 года назад

I put bilsteins and rear airbags on my 2018 Ram 2500 at 9000 miles when I did a long list of upgrades on the vehicle including studding the motor and some upgrades un the trans. Best money I could have spent.

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

I’m surprised at the improvement. Wish I’d done this years ago.

@bobabooie6389 Год назад

Thanks for the video. I just ordered four 4600's for my 2014 ram 2500 diesel. I feel confident that it will smooth out the ride.👍🇺🇲

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

You’ll notice an improvement. After a couple hundred miles, they break I and the ride gets better.

@rayh3973 3 года назад

I changed my rear shocks on an F150 last month after a long trip pulling a trailer. I likes the strap on the shock you put in. I got Monroe self adjusting shocks that were fully extended and I could not install them. I had to go to a garage to install them for about $85, and it was worth it. Next week we get to check them out a short trip to a state park. Have fun on your trip.

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Ray, I had the straps slip off one. It was a bruiser to put in place. Have a great trip next week.

@bryansanges6679 3 года назад

I install the top then use a jack on the bottom to raise it up. That wouldn't work in this situation tho.

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Agree. Sometimes a jack near the bumper will give that few inches to set. Fortunately on the big truck it wasn’t much of a push.

@toddsoutsideagain 3 года назад

Nice upgrade Jerry! I just replaced the shocks on my truck and wanted the Bilsteins and they were all out of stock for months. I ended up putting the Napa brand on and are kind of disappointed with them. I have heard nothing but good things about the Bilsteins especially for towing!👍🏻👍🏻

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Thanks Todd. If you can’t find the Bilsteins on Amazon, check StockSurplus. They keep a large inventory.

@aaronfrench8322 Год назад

Get those NAPAs off of there as soon as possible

@AF1US Год назад

Jerry, nice video. Just getting ready to put these on my F-250. I also got the Bilstein 5100 steering stabilizer, did you install one of those as well? It is a horizontal shock up front and underneath. Bilstein does not make a steering stabilizer in the 4600 series so that is why I got the 5100, it is silver. We also run Firestone airbags.

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Thanks. We didn’t go with the stabilizer. Haven’t had an issue. You’ll notice a difference with the shocks and after a couple hundred miles the ride gets even better.

@AF1US Год назад

@@iLoveRVlife Jerry - I am certainly looking forward to the ride. I have had them on a few trucks before. I think you would only notice the difference in the steering stabilizer on slow, off-road rides in 4WD. If you don’t do much of that, I imagine not in a F-350, then you likely would never notice the difference but there is the “cool factor” to consider. A few weeks ago I installed the Warn/FORD front bumper 12,000 pound winch and that came with a really high “cool factor”. LOL… I lived in Warner Robins while in the AF, really liked central GA - we were practically neighbors! Cheers and safe travels - Brian

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

I wanted to add the “moose catcher” bumper on the F-350, but it so long now it will take parking spaces if added 😂. Much to see and do in middle GA.

@mikebishop4346 Год назад

Nice I’m doing the same with my superduty DRW .

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Made a big difference. Give them about 500 miles and the ride gets better.

@Alaskan4Life59 3 года назад

You are my hero Jerry!

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Thanks a bunch!

@donthurman8189 3 года назад

Thanks for the video. We have a Ram 3500 dually and some highways about beat us AND the truck to death. We always look forward to "I Love RV Life "videos. I am not mechanically inclined enough to install the shocks, any guess what price range a shop might charge to install?. Looking forward to the next videos.

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Don, depends where you live and labor rates. My friend paid $25 a shock in a rural area. Call around and ask the tire dealers in your area.

@donthurman8189 3 года назад

@@iLoveRVlife Thank you.

@williamdrake5008 3 года назад

i changed the front and rear with Bilstens @ about 2000 miles. better ride towing and not. Big difference,

@gregoire8376 Год назад

Great video I think these shocks are next on my list. For the rest of the suspension I see you have airbags but no extra overload springs. Did you consider upper overloads? What was in your decision process? Thanks for the great videos.

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Thanks. I added air bags after a trip through Louisiana on I-10. I needed the ability to set the rear axel load for road conditions. Over load springs weren’t needed. The F-350 springs were more than capable handling the 5th wheel pin weight. Since the video, we’ve upgraded to a Montana 5th wheel weighing 19,500 lbs. Didn’t change anything on the truck. Usually run 45 lbs in the bags and if we’re in rough road construction or poor interstate, I’ll add another 10lbs. That extra takes out a lot of the rear shock. Safe travels.

@gregoire8376 Год назад

@@iLoveRVlife Thanks for the reply !! Quick Question - When you were looking at Bilsteins did you consider the 5100s? A lot of folks on RU-vid seem to recommend them even in "no lift" stock rides. I have basically the same rig as you (except GMC ;)) and am confused why I would do a 5100 when I have a stock ride vehicle. One RU-vid video says 4600s are daily drivers and 5100s are for trucks that carry weight regardless of lift. Did you look at 5100s? Thanks. Keep up the great videos !!

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Thanks. I did look at the 5100s. From Bilstien’s website, it states the 5100 are designed for off road use. Since the F-350 suspension was already stiff, I wanted to improve the ride. I also road in a friends truck the year before these were installed who had 4600s and felt the ride improvement. One thing for sure, the 4600s are not anything like OEM stock.

@gregoire8376 Год назад

@@iLoveRVlife Thanks for this. Your experience and judgment is appreciated.

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Glad I could help.

@6582rg 3 года назад

I have a new 21 F350 dually and that was the first thing I did on delivery. I went with the 5100 Series Bilsteins. Such an easy installation for a dramatic improvement. What brand are you air bags and are you happy with them?

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

No kidding DJ. Wish I would have done this sooner. I’ve been running Firestone bags for 5 years. No problems. Wouldn’t want to tow a 5th wheel without. With on board compressor and dash controls, I can dial the ride needed while on the road. Had to be talked into this option. Glad I’d did.

@brianandreasen2200 Год назад

@@iLoveRVlife Any recommendations or changes that you would make given you experiences with the air bags? Looking to buy a fifth wheel in the next year and just got my F350 going to be installing the 4600s in a few weeks then likely a couple other things but air bags is on my list shortly after the fifth wheel purchase

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

I like them Brian. I have Firestones with an onboard air compressor with a dash gauge and switch to increase or decrease pressure. Towing 19,000 pounds I usually run 45 pounds on good roads, but like the ability that I can add 5 or 10 pounds if the roads get really rough. I went to a truck specialty shop and had them installed. I been running since 2015 and haven’t had any problems.

@bradmiller3557 9 дней назад

By chance, did you install the air bags yourself? If so, record it? What brand was installed?

@iLoveRVlife 9 дней назад

I didn’t. We had a truck specialty shop in Lafayette, LA install during our travels. It was a package with air bags, compressor, in dash gauge and controls. That was in 2015. I have Firestone bags and the system has worked very well.

@bradmiller3557 9 дней назад

@@iLoveRVlife Thank you for the info and your show.

@iLoveRVlife 9 дней назад

Appreciate you watching.

@jeffzbar Год назад

Thanks for the video. We have a 2013 F150 4x2 and we bumper-pull a 6000-lb dry weight trailer. Replacing the shocks and planning on the 4600s. Are they the same for the front and back? And words of advice?

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Glad we could help. Front and back were 4600s. The front have the top post. Simple install, just don’t cut the straps until bolted in. If you do, it’s a dilly to compress in place.

@BillByrd74 3 года назад

You need to test it on I10 in Mississippi and Alabama.

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Oh Lordy Bill. Done the I-10 route. The war zone is I-10 from Baton Rouge to Lafayette. I’m sure I left a kidney somewhere on the side of the road. US 49 going through Hattiesburg is a tough one too with all the construction.

@Alhammadi-gy5jb 4 месяца назад

Do you recommend installing it for a camper with larger tires and factory suspension system?

@iLoveRVlife 4 месяца назад

I would. Made a difference in our stiff F350 factory suspension.

@timh8543 3 года назад

How many pounds do you put in your air bags when loaded then when not loaded. Good work

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Thanks Tim. 50 lbs on most roads. If we’re on something really ragged we may add another 10 to 20 lbs to settled the heavy shock, then take it back to 50 on better roads. With the on-board air compressor, I can adjust from the dash.

@carolpeck6872 Год назад

Hi Jerry. My husband wants to know if you still like the Bilstein 4600 Shocks. We have a 2011 Chevrolet 2500HD

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Hi Carol. I do like the shocks. Made a difference. Much smoother ride. For a ton truck, it still has a stiff suspension, but the hard jolts and recovery is much improved when compared to the OEM shocks that were on the truck.

@carolpeck6872 Год назад

@@iLoveRVlife perfect. We ordered them through Rock Auto, and boy what a savings in the price. We expect delivery on the 29th.

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Good deal. You should notice an immediate difference. They get better after a couple hundred miles break in.

@mhspear 3 года назад

we bought our 5R first, wasn't sure exactly what we were gonna end up with. Well it ended up being ~40' long, 3 axles..~20k loaded. We shopped for trucks and wanted a 4 door flat bed, 1 ton or so dually, diesel, my goodness...the prices, even older ones pushing over 100k...were just so much. We ended up buying a retired farm hdt. Our Mack is an older truck but when we're done with what we want, it'll be less than a "newer" pick up and we'll never have to buy another. Tires...once (thank the universe..16 tires, truck and trailer...ouch)...brakes, once...shocks...well we do carry a spare air bag. Our Mack is registered and insured as an rv. Cheaper to register and insure than our 1/2 ton pick up. Rides like a car, gets 12mpg bobtailing and about 9 loaded. So far we is happy campers. (So is our local Mack mechanic, tho the guy that works on our Ram gets a chunk of change from us too)

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

See the HDTs on the east coast from time to time. We were in Hot Springs, AR last year. Large DRW club came in from Texas and about a dozen had HDTs. A great way to tow long, heavy 5’vers.

@jonathangoodman8726 3 года назад

Thanks for the info.. love your videos

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Thanks.

@bonniemaples8205 Год назад

Jerry, getting ready to upgrade the shocks on our 2017 F250 Super-Duty. Curious if you went with the standard or the gas filled. They offer both options and I'm uncertain which ones I really need. I tow a 35 footer 5er weighing about 13,000.

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Bonnie, that wasn’t in the shock description when I ordered. I have the Bilstein B6 Heavy Duty 4600 monotube.

@JC-ki8dk Год назад

The rears say they don’t come with boots. Your did. I’m wondering if summit has a error.

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

I bought ours from Shock Surplus. I see shocks for the 2014 has boots. Shocks for later models don’t.

@jba68 Год назад

A year later, what do you think about them?

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Still meeting expectations. Much improved ride with and without the 5th wheel. Still rides like a ton, but smoothed the bumps and concrete chatter.

@jba68 Год назад

@@iLoveRVlife Thanks I need new shocks and have been looking at these. Appreciate the response!

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Glad we could help.

@jessehatcher2767 Год назад

What’s the difference in ride quality with 4600 vs 5100 series?

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

The 5100 are a stiffer shock. More for 4 wheel drive and off road applications.

@jessehatcher2767 Год назад

I do 80% on road…. 20% off road. I wanted a SMOOTH RIDING shock with great dampening capabilities. With the shocks I have on there now I feel every pothole, bump and railroad crossing… lol. What do you suggest???

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

The 4600s have improved the ride with our F350 dually. It’s still a heavy truck with stiff springs, but it did smooth the ride. Most noticeable is the softening of the long stretches of uneven concrete. Also better recovery on rough bridge entry and exit. The truck springs are too stiff when hitting pot holes and chunks of missing concrete and there’s still a hard shock. I did add some Coil SumoSprings in the front end. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-w5HJISyhZaQ.html It also helped some. Over all, I made it better, but it’s still a heavy duty truck.

@FlaThunderstorm Год назад

I have a 2002 Born Free 25 foot Class C Motorhome E-450 on a Ford Chassis with V10 Engine. Motorhome is 14,500 lbs. Has Air Bag Springs in the rear. Not sure if they are Firestone's or not. Have already installed a Safe-T-Plus Steering Stabilier in front. Am having Bilstein 4600 Shocks all around and a rear Supersteer Trac Bar installed next week. One of the the two airbags is leaking. I am wondering if I should replace with Firestone air bags or with Sumo Springs? I don't tow anything, the motorhome is never overweight, and I don't do any boondocking or offroading. So I am leaning toward Sumo's. Any advice would be appreciated.

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

The Sumos have made a big difference with our 5th wheel. The springs operate much different from air bags. Many of the Class B manufacturers are adding as standard equipment now. Sumo rep states these minimize the side to side rocking in Bs and Cs. Good news is they come in different weight classes so there should be a fit for your Born Free.

@FlaThunderstorm Год назад

@@iLoveRVlife Thanks a bunch. It's the Sumos then.

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Here’s an article you may find helpful. Starts at page 12. issuu.com/superspringsinternational/docs/magazine_issue_4_-_issuu

@FlaThunderstorm Год назад

@@iLoveRVlife Thanks Again. Good article.

@BearfootAdventures Год назад

Will these fit 2020 f250 4wd. And can you give me link to them. Thanks Jerry

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

They do. We purchased ours from shocksurplus.com. Put in the make and model on the site and it will give you the ones to order.

@dar7771 2 года назад

What made you decide to go with these and not the 5100’s? Curious because I want to do this but can’t make up my mind which ones on my 2016.

@iLoveRVlife 2 года назад

I did’t want a stiffer ride. According to Bilstein, the 5100 is more oriented for lifted trucks, heavier-than-stock vehicles, trucks running larger wheels and tires, and anything modified and not factory. The 5100s are valved slightly firmer in case of bigger wheels and tires or added offroad equipment. I could have considered the extra weight during a tow as added equipment, but also wanted a better ride when not towing. Bilstein suggests the 4600 are better for highway driving where the 5100 were designed for off road.

@dar7771 2 года назад

Well you helped me decide. I went with the 4600’s. I am stock and have no lift. No regrets. Thanks for all the info in helping me make the right choice.

@iLoveRVlife 2 года назад

Glad we could help.

@ronnietheinvestor8844 2 года назад

So did you only do the rear and also how has the experience been on these shocks while towing?

@iLoveRVlife 2 года назад

In the video, the rears were replaced at 1:50. The front at 6:30. Much improved ride overall. But it’s still a heavy duty ton truck. Stiff springs to handle the load and the big pot holds still give a big jar.

@ronnietheinvestor8844 2 года назад

@@iLoveRVlife awesome thanks

@freakyflow Год назад

So I have dealt with a really bad suspension Removed the old shocks Done a whole upgrade with the rest of the suspension to Heavy duty in a light chevy blazer. As part of a kit promo I had new shocks..Everything installed it was still Bad Raised the truck..nope Lowered the truck nope It was too stiff And raised it would bounce into a 2nd movement and bang (bottomed out) A friend of mine took me to his friends work and we drove his friends Blazer ...It was like a caddy over bumps And a Nascar on turns The only things he had done was installed Bilstein 4600 shocks that were taller than stock by 2 inches And a soild U joint for the steering wheel that use to have a Rag joint ( 5 pieces of circular rubber disks encased in metal) that wears out in time And makes a sloppy gap in steering before actual turning starts....Ordered the U joint from Hooker And installed ..Steers like a 2023 car no slop The shocks come here in 2 days where i will install them Cant wait !!

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Hope the 4600s work out well. We’ve been very happy with the improvement on our SuperDuty dually.

@freakyflow Год назад

@@iLoveRVlife Ya i been hearing alot of good things with them And that is outside of youtube "shops" promoting sales lol Take care !

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

My video wasn’t sponsored. I bought these after riding in a friend’s SuperDuty who had these installed. I saw an immediate improvement and the ride got better after about a 500 mile break in.

@pigybak 3 года назад

Nice job!!

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

Thanks

@rmstark1966 Год назад

how is the towing? does it porpoise more?

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

Better. And it doesn’t.

@kanecolby11 Год назад

What size socket on the front top stud nut?

@rangervapes571 Год назад

I have installed the Bilstein 4600 and 5100 and much prefer the 5100 for my tow vehicles. Slightly stiffer valving

@iLoveRVlife Год назад

5100 are stiffer. Designed to better handle off road driving.

@pegboard 3 года назад

Hey Jerry where did you get your shocks at

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

ShocksSurplus

@rodgerkeels865 2 года назад

What type of air bags do you have

@iLoveRVlife 2 года назад

Firestone with an on board compressor.

@DonGebhardRealtor 3 года назад

Newbie here... do you torque them? #BrokerDon

@iLoveRVlife 3 года назад

I didn’t Don. Just cranked them tight.

@Fredmullegun Год назад

Bilstein is outdated, FOX shocks are the new budget shock winner IMO. Stiff digressive shocks like Bilsteins are just covering up other bad suspension components.