Shocking truck question

BTW, 2wd, V10 4r100, 3.73 gears (The V10 actually does better with lower gears -4.10 or even 4.30, but that's not affordable... yet)

Young man - hard core old ford truck guy; has his grandfathers 1976 F250, and a couple '80s OBS  - bought it in April, and started fixing all the neglect. Found a 4dr, 5 speed 350 long bed, and put this for sale. I was able to trade him my boat, a slide n camper and a bit of cash, to keep it in my budget. 
Loveing everything but the mpg, so far!

Someone had put aggressive looking AT tires on it... I've heard full on mud tires not as loud! Got them off. New brakes all round, including rotors and one caliper. New ac. New ball joints. 
Im gonna buy the steering kit, ($135) as it'll need it one day, but can hold off till they get much worse. Does need sway bar bushings and end link bushings. And then there is the question of what shocks. If I don't go cheapos, prolly just do fronts for now, cause, well, truck!

Some may remember the cool old Cobra bass boat I never got the chance to get in the water. The Financial Advisor woulda paid to have it hauled off! I hope this young man get 'er going!

My first test drive of the the truck, was towing the boat the 45 minutes to his house!!!

And, had to get the gas station picture!

I'm not sure if they make them for your truck, but I've been happy with the Koni Special Active shock I put on my Grand Cherokee. 

Firm enough to ride and handle well, but not harsh. 

In reply to No Time :

Bit of looking today, and did not see koni. I'll look more. 
KYB has their version of the Gas-a-just for similar price to the Gabriel/Monroe GasMatic. 
then G/M have lots priced above or below... my head exploded!

Folks online claim the Billstine 4000 yellows are not as stiff/jaring as the 5000 silvers - which proves how bad a judge the but dyno is! Billsten says they are identical valving; just the silvers are for lifted lengths, and the yellows are for stock travel length!

I think they'd be perfect for this, but too expensive for a truck that might not be with me forever. So, if I can't get the best, I'm leaning towards the cheapos, unless some of you guys have a middle of the road suggestion, or can talk me out of it!

The Financial Manager likes the $70, but well understands, if they are worn out in a few K miles, that's not value. 

Found Koni STR T orange shocks for 2wd 250... might be a bit better than the Billsten, as some reports think they are a bit harsh. Bit not at that much of a price difference 

I put Bilsteins on my '97 F-250 and I think they're pretty harsh. I haven't tried any of the alternatives, but I did put KYBs on a Dodge van and would've sworn the guts were valved for a Geo Metro, but I think that's not normal for KYBs.

 I'd probably try KYBs if I were doing it over and didn't feel like spending Koni money.

In reply to Jesse Ransom :

At least KYB, doesn't give a ton of different options, all around the same cost, like the G/M shocks do. 
I've heard pros and cons on all three brands, but over all, appear to be very similar, QA wise!

I love my yellow bilstein shocks in all my trucks. 

A step up from kyb monomax i ised to run. 

Either of those two get my vote.

I've always gone with yellow Bilsteins if the vehicle merits upscale shocks, or KYB if it doesn't. Rockauto is where I buy most all of my parts.

I just put KYB Gas-A-Just on my Ranger a couple of weeks ago and have no complaints about their performance versus cost ratio.

Around here, shocks might be a bit like oil. Everyone has their favorites, some of it is because some companies might get the valving right for one application but might miss the mark some on another one so it can be hit or miss. 

Personally, I have found KYBs to be too soft. Monroe HD shocks worked well for me as a budget option, but they didn't last very long before one started leaking. Maybe 20k miles. They sell a monotube option for some applications that I would consider if I was trying to stay cheap. 

Not a lot of personl experience with Rancho, but in the Chevy world people don't seem to think highly of them. For some reason they seem popular on Fords, though.

I like my Bilstein 4600s (yellow) and 5100s I've had on a few different applications. My K1500 has 4600s on it which are the OEM Z71 shock. They definitely have a lot of rebound damping on the rear axle though, enough that some situations will make the rear suspension pack down a bit. My parents have the same shocks on their GMT800 Tahoe and it doesn't do that at all, so again, maybe an application specific oddity to help with towing. Both are comfortable. The 5100s weren't as comfortable but they did much better off road dropping through holes and whatnot without wallowing or bottoming out. 

Anything will be an improvement, and consider  how long the truck will be around.  A lifetime shock may not mean much here.

porschenut said:

Anything will be an improvement, and consider  how long the truck will be around.  A lifetime shock may not mean much here.

That's why the questions. Long term choice for this truck would be bilstines. Other than FrenchyD's truck, none of 'em are lifetime. 
Im sure even the jungle chineesium for $70 will be better than the worn out ones; but for how long? I will be keeping it longer than one oil change! 
Some on the name brand mid level price shocks might be a bit better - some are probably made on the same assembly line, at twice the price. Thats why I'm hoping for advice from some actual experience on a truck. 
And we do have some truck guys on here, despite being a sports car forum. 

I found more options for the kyb, to confuse me more, but the mono tube, that I think I want, is almost Billstine price!

Rockauto shipping for just shocks, the shipping is getting a bit high, and I'm not ordering other things atm to combine shipping. 
 

https://newparts.com/product/monroe/NP2894651Kit

these guys seem good prices, but I need to go back and do a like for like comparison. 
That shock may be a bit better than the Detroit Axle?

I need to interject.... if you're finding Rancho for $270 total, they're not Rancho.  They are the most copied shocks on the planet.  Some of them don't even try to look right.  Most of them are a repainted rebuild from a 3rd world country and slapped with a Rancho sticker in the wrong font.

Just be careful what you get.

Even Summit Racing got fooled a few years ago and they sold hundreds of fakes

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

Thanks for the reminder!  Ida caught it 'for I pulled the trigger, but...

Was wondering how 7000 series was less than 5000!

Bilsteins if you want some nice shocks that will last long, KYBs or Monroes if you just want something cheap and not terrible. The Ranchos would just be wasting money for a street-driven truck.

In reply to 03Panther :

From actual experience, I've had Monroe 4x4 Adventure shocks on my Samurai, they've performed adequately and actually held up to many years of off-road racing.

In reply to GameboyRMH :

Thanks. Not familiar with that model, but it sounds like that's one that's built well. 
 

On a farther note, now that I got the bench seat replaced with the nice Lariat buckets from a parts only truck installed (shame I had to put cheap covers on'em... factory leather did not like the abuse a former outer gave it) and a decent LT all season (E) tire hwy. tread, on all four corners, it drives quite good. Have just enough weight in the bed to settle the back down over mild bumps. Giving no symptoms of bad shocks. Since they are obviously toast with these miles, and even the cheapos will be better than wore slap out (I would hope) I'm gonna go for the cheapos!

Will compare compression with the OE on it before install, and report findings. Then the next owner can upgrade! Or, if the cheapos are toast an a couple months, I'll spring (funny!) for better. 
Thanks to all for their input.