At looking at a recent thread on changing shocks, the before pictures of the ride hight look like my ranger (saggy and sucky).

How long do the stock shocks last?

How do you know if it's time to change them?

If I do change them, what should I replace them with?

 

I have always heard that if you grab the bumper (front or rear) and bounce the truck, and if it takes more than like 2 or 3 bounces after you let go of the bumper, then the shocks need to be replaced. Or under braking, if the truck leans hard core the your shocks could be bad. But i am no expert.

 

^^^Thats about it. When the ride is no longer satisfactory, your truck bounces too much after a bump, your front end starts feeling "loose", and the afore mentioned 2 bounce test.

Replace your shock with any factory replacement part you like. Depending on what kind of ride you want, there are upgrades available, but if you just want a stock ride, put on a stock shock.

BTW, the shocks will do nothing for saggy springs, they don't change the ride height.

 

i knew it when mine were bad from haulin *** and slaming on the brakes, you couldnt hardly keep the truck straight on the road because of the front shocks. it felt like it wanted to flip. if you have that problem then there ya go. my ride sucked too, and leaned BAD with only a body lift.