2018 or 2019? Live valve shocks worth it?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Joined
Jun 13, 2019
Posts
19
Reaction score
28
Location
Boston
Anyone here driven both an 18 and a 19 and can tell a significant difference between the regular shocks and the new live valve shocks? Wondering if the high payments on my 19 are worth it or if I should just trade in for an 18 to get it cheaper.
 

duracell24

Active Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2016
Posts
51
Reaction score
55
I drove both back to back a few weeks ago when I was in the same boat looking at lightly used 18s vs new 19s. I went with the 19.

Although there wasn’t a ton of difference, I noticed less body roll around corners and a more planted suspension overall. I also tow occasionally and I’ve read that the 19 tows better as the back end tightens up a bit.
I drove an 18 the other day after putting some miles on my 19 and noticed a bigger difference than I had previously with the 19 rolling a lot less in turns and diving under braking less than the 18.

I also REALLY wanted the upgraded stop and go adaptable cruise as I sit in stop and go traffic quite a bit and love that the 19 works all the way down to a complete stop without disengaging. The new Terrain Control on the 19s was just icing on the cake for me.

Good luck in your decision!
 

Jeff-Ohio

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Posts
909
Reaction score
451
Location
Cincinnati
Anyone here driven both an 18 and a 19 and can tell a significant difference between the regular shocks and the new live valve shocks? Wondering if the high payments on my 19 are worth it or if I should just trade in for an 18 to get it cheaper.

I had a 2017 and I now have a 2019. I mostly use my truck for street use and I do not see a huge difference with respect to on-road driving. That said, I am not sure that I understand how trading it in and getting a 2018 is going to save you money. Your hit alone on trading it in for the 2018 will net you nothing but a 2018 without the upgraded shocks. I'm guessing it will probably cost you more to go to less unless you eliminate features/options and get a cheaper truck.
 
Last edited:

goblues38

FRF Addict
Joined
Oct 27, 2018
Posts
2,697
Reaction score
3,983
Location
STL
Own an 18, did the Raptor assault class in a 19.

Spending the day our off roading gave me zero indication a 19 was "better" then an 18.

That being said....I wish I had the enhanced gauge package. The only thing my truck does not have that i want is "oil temp"....and you get that on the 19's.
 

10SpdsOfFury

FRF Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2017
Posts
2,606
Reaction score
11,402
Location
Jacksonville FL
I had a 2017 and put 32k on it and now have a 19 and the 19 feels more planted and stable. I have yet to take it down my favorite dirt road so I don’t have a off-road comparison yet.
 

Rowe1589

Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Posts
7
Reaction score
0
Location
Atlanta, GA
I had a 2018 I put 36,000 miles on. Traded it for a 2019. On road I can't tell any real difference. I travel some semi-rough forest service roads and the 19 feels tighter and more responsive.
 

K223

FRF Addict
Joined
Sep 15, 2019
Posts
5,192
Reaction score
3,459
Location
Florida
Unless Ford didn’t install the sensor in the motor for oil temp, I would think they could pass that down to previous years trucks with a new flash. I gather no one has been able to ID a FORScan tweak either.

Maybe more too it.
 

DStorm91

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2019
Posts
2
Reaction score
3
Location
Smyrna, Tennessee
I just recently got a 2018. The difference for the '19 after test driving back and forth on the roads didn't feel much different to me. Not knocking anything said about off-road so far... The purchase for 19 was around 9000 more (for me/and this deal) than the 18. I had a hard time deciding really. My friend put it in perspective for me when he said is there anything about the 19 that you want to pay 9000 more for? (The 18 was exactly the same except for color) So I went with the 18 and I'm glad I did. Man, I really like this truck.
 
Top