Are you looking for the best shocks for Ford F-250 Super Duty? Then, you’re in the right place!
The Ford F-250 Super Duty is a heavy-duty truck that doesn’t settle for a poor suspension system. Why? Because it is meant to take over roads like a pro.
To make your F-250 Super Duty achieve that, shock absorbers to balance road shocks that your truck will have to face during its many journeys.
It is a massive truck, which can cause troubles for new drivers as it can get a bit difficult to handle on rough terrains. That happens due to the truck’s large tires, as they can cause disbalance when the road isn’t smooth. While expert drivers can handle the vehicle even on challenging terrains, it can get difficult for novices. Nonetheless, even old and experienced drivers need better protection for safety.
A good suspension system is meant to make it easier for a Ford F-250 to carry huge loads and maintain a good balance even on uneven roads, even if the speed is high. Moreover, the right suspension also helps with control.
If your F-250 Super Duty is making thumps and squeaks, then it’s time to upgrade the suspension system.
We picked these five products after going through several hours of research. We zeroed in on these after comparing numerous options on the market and picked those ranked best in performance, especially compared to price.
Let’s have a look at the five best shocks for Ford F-250 Super Duty and get to know each of them in detail:
Top 5 Best Shocks for F-250 Super Duty 4×4:
| Image | Model | Years | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilstein 4600 (New Model - Top Pick) | 05-13 | Check Price |
 | Rancho RS7000 | 05-14 | Check Price |
 | Rancho RS5000 | 05-14 | Check Price |
 | Bilstein 4600 (Old Model) | 05-14 | Check Price |
 | Fabtech Shocks | 05-16 | Check Price |
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Bilstein 4600 Series Shocks (New) – Editor’s Choice
As a proud owner of the Ford F250 Super Duty Heavy Duty/Medium Duty Pickup, one good way of ensuring your vehicle’s optimal output is investing in high-quality shocks. Each for the front and rear suspensions, the two pairs of shocks furnish better ride control than similar shock absorbers.
These pairs let you fully control the Ford F250, especially while driving through challenging and bumpy roads. In other words, both shocks from Bilstein guarantee constant contact of the tires with the road or surface, eventually offering you superior maneuverability. In addition, these shocks offer you complete peace of mind whenever you take to the wheels keeping kids, passengers, equipment, and cargo protected throughout the ride.
All-new Shock Absorbers takes full advantage of an exclusive design enabling your pickup to glide smoothly through various terrains. Additionally, the innovative and functional design gives total control. Extraordinarily durable and reliable these shocks not only allow you to drive effortlessly but also let you haul, tow, and negotiate off-road trails.
Pros
- Fits 05-2013 Ford’s 250, 350, 450 Super Duty; 4-wheel drive only and 2008-2013 F-450
- Especially designed and engineered to protect an automobile from sudden shocks and bumps
- Provides exceptional control
- Superior upgrade
- It brings down body roll and nose dive
Cons
- You’ll have to put up with stiffness for quite a long time before the shocks eventually soften.
If you’re looking for a shock for your Ford F-250 that aces in performance, durability, and quality, then Rancho 5000 is your best bet.
They are equipped with ten-stage velocity-sensitive valving, a strong piston, and a protective outer boot covering protection against external and internal damage.
Features
Ten-Stage Velocity Sensitive Valving: This technology takes your driving experience up a notch as it provides specific tuning to your truck. It helps keep a balance and offers better handling when on and off roads, especially when your truck is loaded.
Rebounding Capability: It is typical for vehicles, especially trucks, to jerk when faced with a bumpy road. This problem can be taken care of by these great shocks as they come with a polyurethane bumper that controls rebound motion in case bumps and obstacles come in the way and hit your truck.
Durable: The shock’s cylinder wall is micro-polished while the seal is glass-filled Teflon. Combining these and a 16mm diameter piston rod gives it super durability, is capable enough to withstand high jolts and offers smooth rides.
Heat Reduction With Foam Cell Construction: This shock is designed to disperse heat properly, which is why no stress is inflicted upon the seal, and there’s no heat build-up.
Pros
- Protective boot to protect the shock rod
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Large piston area for better handling
- Double welded loops to handle stress
Cons
- The shock is non-adjustable
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Bilstein 4600 (Old) Best Shocks for F-250 FX4
These high-pressure Bilstein 4600 shocks are the best shocks for F-250 FX4. They are meant to offer a comfortable off-road ride by dissipating heat, boosting oil expansion, blocking external air, and preventing oil foaming.
These traits turn your truck into a juggernaut that can withstand rough roads and give you the experience of a Cadillac.
Features
Extremely Durable: The piston installed in the shock is machine engineered and has a peak-to-valley dimension of 0.0002mm. Moreover, it has a chrome-plated finish. This feature makes it highly durable and even helps in reducing heat. In addition, the hard seal prevents dirt and debris from entering the shock system and makes it long-lasting.
Air Suspension Technology: The air suspension technology makes this shock an excellent option for trucks used to carry a heavy load. The vehicle’s damping power increases due to the air suspension, making it easier for the driver to control the ride.
Monotube Shock Design: The design of this shock is such that it prevents oil foaming and also reduces stress on the shock. That increases the lifespan of the shock.
Better Traction: The shock enhances the suspension’s capacity, improving traction and allowing the truck to have better pickups and run at constant speeds.
Rubber Bushings: Rubber bushings on the shock help reduce noise and vibrations when the truck gets on a bumpy road.
Pros
- Wear and tear-resistant chromium tube
- Lifetime warranty
- Maintains stability on tough terrains
- Optimum grip
Cons
- The height isn’t adjustable
Truck drivers who use their trucks for towing often face difficulty keeping the truck stable on a rough road. Rancho RS7000 is a good choice because it helps reduce wheel shimming and vibrations caused by an uneven road.
These are capable enough to handle trucks with oversized tires, such as the Ford F-250. In addition, the shock is zinc plated for extra durability, perfect for heavy-duty trucks.
Features
Monotube Construction: There’s a 46mm monotube whose job is to absorb shocks as the vehicle moves up and down on a bumpy road. This tube is wear-resistant and is also an ideal one for trucks that have large tires.
Ten-Stage Velocity Sensitive Valving: With this feature, your truck is specifically tuned, which improves handling, comfort, and overall balance of the truck. Moreover, it also helps carry heavy loads in the truck and offers a smooth ride no matter how challenging the road is.
Long-Lasting Finish: The shocks are zinc plated and brushed with a clear coat finish, making them durable and long-lasting. Also, there’s a strong seal between the piston and the pressure tube to protect shock components from wear and tear, especially in the case of off-road drives.
Pros
- Protective boot on the shock to prevent external damage
- Limited lifetime warranty
- 14mm hard steel rod for extra strength
- High-pressure nitrogen gas charge for better damping response time
Cons
- It can appear a bit stiff at the beginning
Drivers looking for superior ride control can turn to Fabtech shocks as they are designed to work with the suspension system and take it up a notch.
Besides absorbing road shocks, they are also equipped with components that promote dampening and improve the overall experience.
Features
Twin Tube Hydraulic Construction: The best thing about this shock is that it has two cylinders. The inner cylinder covers the base valve along with the piston. This way, it can make the piston and shaft move vertically. That is where the damping forces are created in the shock. The outer cylinder is more of a reservoir to control fluid movement during compression.
Excellent Shock Resistance: Since it’s a hydraulic shock, the piston inside the inner cylinder is covered with oil. As the piston moves, the oil makes its way outside the piston through tiny holes. That is how shocks are resisted by the truck. In simple words, hydraulic shock suspension converts energy into heat.
Durable: The piston is a hard chrome rod measuring 9/16”, which is not only strong enough to handle heavy shocks but is also long-lasting.
Nine-Stage Velocity Sensitive Valving: The velocity-sensitive valving technology on these shocks lets you drive smoothly on rough roads.
Pros
- Closed-cell foam insert reduces shock fade.
- Rubber bushings and nuts included
- Limited lifetime warranty
- The outer tube has a gas bag that eliminates air pockets
Cons
- Non-adjustable
How To Pick The Best Shock For Your Ford F-250 Super Duty
It can be daunting to choose a shock for your Ford when so many are on the market. There are certain factors to remember when picking a shock for your Ford F-250 Super Duty:
Nitrogen Gas Pressure
The nitrogen gas pressure system helps in the passage of fluids and reduces heat build-up. Because of this feature, oil foaming doesn’t occur, and the shock doesn’t fade with time. Look for shocks with higher pressure (PSI), as the higher the PSI, the lesser the aeration.
Durability
The job of a shock is to protect the suspension system and absorb shocks thrown at the truck. However, the shock itself should be durable enough to last for a long time for this purpose. Thus, a shock should have an enlarged shock body because it increases the suspension’s overall capacity to withstand load and handle shocks.
Also, a shock with an enlarged body offers smooth handling, especially when there is a constant speed change due to poor road conditions or other such reasons.
Better Damping Power
Trucks are usually used to carry a heavy load. The job of the driver is mostly t pick items from one corner and drop them in another. Since drivers typically drive on the same roads and often find the job monotonous and wish to get it done early, they often drive at fast speeds that can disrupt the truck’s balance and even pose safety threats. You can control that with the help of shocks.
If you want to use your truck to carry loads, look for shocks with better damping power, which are found in twin hydraulic tubed shocks, nitrogen gas-charged shocks, and ones with air suspension technology. All in all, better damping power means more control over the truck.
Smooth Rebounding
Trucks are meant to be driven on harsh roads. Therefore, dealing with harsh jerks is a common thing. These sudden jolts cause driver fatigue, which can be bad for the driver’s health.
The solution to the problem lies in getting rebounding shocks installed onto your truck. Almost every shock has rebounding capabilities. However, shocks with rebound bumpers installed pack an extra punch when it comes to rebounding.
Resistant To External Damage
Shocks with protective boots are meant to keep dirt, debris, and other forms of impurities at bay. That prolongs the shock’s life and keeps the truck running in good condition for a long time.
When Is The Right Time To Replace Shocks of Your F-250 Super Duty?
Shocks typically last for four to five years, but this largely depends on the shock use and quality. Nonetheless, certain elements indicate it’s about time to replace the shocks on your truck.
They are:
Vibrations
Your truck will start making too many vibrations when the tires do not come into full contact with the road. It is a sign of a worn-out shock. Also, the vibration increases when you drive at fast speeds, increasing the risk. So if you notice a lot of vibrations, consider checking the shocks.
Longer Stopping Distance
Suppose your truck is taking quite some time to come to a halt when the shocks might have gone faulty. That indicates that the shocks are worn out and are taking more time to produce results.
Serving
When your shocks get weaker or stop working at all, your truck will go into swerving when you apply the brakes. That poses a danger as the truck might trip, especially in wet weather. Therefore, it’s better to have the shocks replaced if damaged.
Unpleasant Ride
If your truck makes unpleasant jumps on a rough road, then it might be a sign of poor shocks. Other than offering poor performance on bumpy roads, worn-out shocks will also put a lot of pressure on other truck components and cause damage.
If you need a detailed guide on picking the best shocks, such information is in our article about the best shocks for a Ford Excursion or about the best shocks for a Ford Expedition. In addition, we discuss different aspects of shock choosing in this tutorial.
So, What Are the Best Shocks for Ford F-250 Super Duty?
Bilstein 4600 (new model) is the right choice for your truck as it offers several benefits. First, it provides better handling thanks to the ten-stage valving system. It is also very durable due to being zinc plated and a 46mm monotube resistant to wear and tear. Last but not least, it absorbs heavy shocks with great ease.
In our opinion, the Rancho 7000 are the best shocks for Ford F-250 Super Duty.