Driven5
UberDork
3/11/23 12:01 p.m.
Looking to replace the crappy and worn out 50k mile shocks on my 2019 F-150. Just pulling out of the driveway gets the thing a rockin and a rollin. The go-to for good control and longevity on 'minivan that can tow' truck applications looks to be the Bilstein 4600. However, I'm tempted by the STR.T LT though too, what little info is available out there indicates it probably has an even better ride while still giving good control. What few reviews are out there seem to really like them. They're so little talked about though, that there's really no reviews from anybody with more than 1k or so miles though. It's also almost concerning that the Koni's are actually cheaper than some of the other typical OEM replacement shocks that aren't often recommended. Then again, there are plenty of people that have issues with the Bilsteins as well. I wouldn't care if the rears suck or don't last long, since they're so quick and easy tor replace, but the fronts are a pain that I'm going to suck it up and pay to have installed. Thus the relative price difference of the shocks themselves doesn't mean as much as not wanting to have to pay to have it done twice because I got the wrong shock.
So has anybody other than GRM tried the Koni STR.T LT on their tow rig, and also put some real miles on them to see how they hold up? Otherwise, it seems like the Bilstein 4600's would be the easy button.
I had them on my s197 Mustang. They are a bit slower in response compared to a Bilstein HD / 4600 type shock. A lot less responsive than the typical Koni sport valving.
Id used them on a cruiser type car but I would rather the Bilstein for tow duty. You'll get more cushy wallowing than I'd prefer when towing with the STR.T
How a company tunes their car shocks is not necessarily the same as how they tune their equivalent truck shocks. What I'm really looking for is 1st hand experience specifically with the LT shocks.
I bought the orange Koni's for my '16 Silverado and the fronts leaked and 6 months later were crap. I bought a set under their warranty program and they're in my office awaiting me to swap them out.
After this I can send them in for evaluation and I'll get my $142 back of course I'm thinking it'll cost me $50 to return them so I'm not motivated.
When new they were good. The backs are fine. Then days I think I should just throw on a new 4" lift kit.
Driven5 said:
How a company tunes their car shocks is not necessarily the same as how they tune their equivalent truck shocks. What I'm really looking for is 1st hand experience specifically with the LT shocks.
You might be surprised by that assumption but ok
Opti
SuperDork
3/12/23 12:58 a.m.
Im working on a GMT800 for my cousin. When we got it, it had 24x14s, a carolina squat, decals all over the windshield, double layer 5% tint over 20% tint on all windows, etc. You get it. After an extensive front end rebuild, brakes and all the standard preventative things, it rides terribly. The shocks are smoked. My go to truck shock is the bilstein 4600, but I havent ever heard of the STR.T LT. Im hoping for some more experiences. Hopefully positive. Id be nice to have an alternative to the Bilstein.
I generally run Konis on cars and Bilsteins on trucks.
