I've noticed the sound a bit more now... possibly cause I'm playing the radio lower When I go over bumps that bounce the front end a bit with some speed, say for example a speed bump, or paved highways that have a bunch of dips (NJ parkway around exit 50-60). I think it could be the pistons might not be worring correctly, maybe over extended, and the springs are taking the load when it comes down. This causes a kinda squeeking/creaking sound. So is it time for new shocks, or is this something that's natural?

 

on an 04 you shouldnt need new shocks unless you have like 50k miles on it. i would talk to the dealer about it

 

Agree I doubt you need new shocks John. how many miles you got on it ?

Anyway if you want new shocks i am very impressed with Tom's (Tbarcya guy who makes the rock sliders) set up. You would not have to do the whole set up at first with air compressor and in cab controller. Tom had his addjustable shock on his truck for months before he put the compressor and stuff on. He would adjust them by hand, say set them one way for all week then when it was time to go wheeling he changed them to a different setting.

"The advantage you get is you can set them soft and ride like a Linclon or set them hard and make it handel like a go cart." those are Tom's words.

That is what I am doing one day.

 

I have a 2002 Ranger Edge 4x2 Supercab and it seems to bounce around the road, could it just be the tires or would it be the shocks? I have 43,000 miles on it.

 

I like my Bilsteins no longer do i fear the roads worst, the road fears me.

 

ball joints, tie rods?

 

Ben, from what you and a few others have told me about Tom's shocks, I'd really like to go that route myself one day.

I now have 30,000 miles on the truck, and I've "pankacked it a couple times off roading ( not on purpose, but I've gotten all 4 tires off the ground) So I was thinking maybe I've given them a bit too much abuse. Do you guys get any sounds comming from your front shocks when you go over big bumps/dips?

 

How would I be able to tell if it were the ball joints or tie rods? I know pretty much next to nothing on suspension, so any help would be appreciated.

 

get the wheel off the ground and grab it and jerk the **** out of it, if it moves, find out whats loose and thats your problem. now if youve bottomed or topped out your shocks a few times then it is possible that they could be bad. if you want to save money take it back to ford for warranty work, otherwise just buy new shocks

 

Would the dealer give me crap for having bigger tires on it than stock? Thought I read somewhere that it can void your waranty.

 

so stick your stockers back on for the day

 

Do they squeak? What kinda sound?

 

Tom showed me the incab setup and how it works, while we were wheeling I would ask him on the CB how they felt on certain trails and he would uasaully say like a Lincoln smooth as can be.