Advice/guidance for 2017 shock replacement

[Meat2022]

So is it true true the rock auto ones have set around forever and might not be trust worthy? I'm debating on this route for mine vs exchange program this next go around. Could've sworn someone in the forum mentioned this being an issue before.

 

[2slo4u]

So is it true true the rock auto ones have set around forever and might not be trust worthy? I'm debating on this route for mine vs exchange program this next go around. Could've sworn someone in the forum mentioned this being an issue before.

I feel that Rock Auto is out of stock on these shocks on a fairly regular basis so I'd be surprised if they have been sitting around collecting dust. I purchased a full set from them and didn't have any problems. I don't recall reading about someone getting bad shocks from rock auto but I have read lots comments about people having bad experiences with the exchange program. Granted, I've also read many comments about people being completely satisficed with their experience as well.

 

[Meat2022]

I can't remember who said something about this really, again I like RA and have had 0 issues with anything I've ever purchased from them, I think the next set..if I keep this gen1 will be new from RA...but springs also are getting replaced this time

 

[Pacific Wheel]

@Meat2022 the 2017/18 shocks I just installed seem great on the road. Haven't been offroad with them. And I can only compare them to GEN1 shocks since I just did the conversion the G1 to G2 conversion mount with KHC. But they're nicer than rebuilt G1 rears they replaced. I personally think it's best to have two sets if you can so you can send one set back for rebuild and use the other set. Nothing against the exchange programs but you don't always get shocks that are as nice as the ones that you send back as cores.

 

[dsiggi]

@Meat2022 the 2017/18 shocks I just installed seem great on the road. Haven't been offroad with them. And I can only compare them to GEN1 shocks since I just did the conversion the G1 to G2 conversion mount with KHC. But they're nicer than rebuilt G1 rears lol. I personally think it's best to have to sets if you can so you can send one set back for rebuild and use the other set. Nothing against the exchange programs but you don't always get shocks that are as nice as the ones that you send back as cores.

Exactly why I have 2 sets. Rebuilds on my shocks are about 150 a piece locally here in MI.

 

[TomDirt]

@Meat2022 the 2017/18 shocks I just installed seem great on the road. Haven't been offroad with them. And I can only compare them to GEN1 shocks since I just did the conversion the G1 to G2 conversion mount with KHC. But they're nicer than rebuilt G1 rears they replaced. I personally think it's best to have two sets if you can so you can send one set back for rebuild and use the other set. Nothing against the exchange programs but you don't always get shocks that are as nice as the ones that you send back as cores.

So you removed the stock shock tabs and replaced them with the KHC but kept the oem leaf springs? Even with the KHC moving the shock bolt up a little bit, it seems like the longer Gen 2 shocks might bottom out at full compression. I'm waiting to see someone confirm this. I know that if you bolt Gen 1 shocks on a stock F150 you need a taller block or it will bottom out.

 

[Pacific Wheel]

So you removed the stock shock tabs and replaced them with the KHC but kept the oem leaf springs? Even with the KHC moving the shock bolt up a little bit, it seems like the longer Gen 2 shocks might bottom out at full compression. I'm waiting to see someone confirm this. I know that if you bolt Gen 1 shocks on a stock F150 you need a taller block or it will bottom out.

I used Deaver stock height springs but yes. The KHC mount moves the shock mount up quite a bit (1" roughly) so up travel remains the same due to the bump stops/ride height. The mount just keeps the shock from being overly compressed at ride height. Up travel on GEN1/2 is roughly the same. It's down travel that is gained from what I understand. It's basically like the RST16 from RPG. Higher shock mount for longer shocks.


Talk to Dale at KHC. I'm sure he can give you a better explanation.

 

[TomDirt]

" I used Deaver stock height springs" Yup. The deavers fix the problem, unless the cost of deavers is the problem.

 

[Pacific Wheel]

" I used Deaver stock height springs" Yup. The deavers fix the problem, unless the cost of deavers is the problem.

I'm not sure how deavers fix the problem? "Unless the cost is the problem."? The Deaver +2 aka stock height spring sits at the same exact height as OEM leaf springs with the block. So up travel remains the same with deaver or OEM leafs. Or maybe I don't understand the question...

 

[TomDirt]

Since KHC basically makes the shock mount specifically for Raptors I'd like to know if they ever cycled Gen 2 shocks to confirm that they don't bind on a Gen 1 with the oem springs, shackles & blocks. I'll contact them tomorrow and see if they have actually tested it. I'm sure it probably does, (since I've already bolted them on), but I'd like to see it. You need to pull apart the leaf pack, keep the main spring then make up the difference with a short block, then use a chain to secure it, load up some ballast in the bed, then jack it up slowly until it bottoms out. And you need to dump the nitrogen so the shock won't fight you. That's too much work for me.