I have a '99 F350 which needs new shocks. Is there a particular brand or type of shock that you prefer? What should I be looking at as far as shocks go? The truck is used only for hauling and trailering and is totally stock.

Two brands seem to be favorites: Bilsteins and Rancho adjustable shocks. Both are going to be about $300 for 4.

Bilstein offers a more "German car" ride, Rancho a more "American car" ride.

Rancho's adjustability helps when going from loaded heavily to loaded lightly. My truck is my daily driver, and so I went that way. Otherwise I'd have chosen Bilstein, which I think is a better shock overall.

Now youo tell me that Chart I oiginally wanted the bilstiens and Perofrmance Products had them on sale at one time for less then $250

Samsoffroad.com has the 9000 Rancho adjustables for $274 delivered.
Ordered a set for my Excursion but still have not installed them

Thanks Chart...I guess another question comes to mind also, can air adjustable shocks take the place of air bags for the leaf springs, or do these products serve two different purposes?

Don't know that much about air shocks, but I do know about airbags. Keeping that in mind... I think you're asking a lot of the air shocks if they are replacing airbags. The bags are bigger, hold more air volume, and are mounted to brackets designed to offer up to 5000lbs of lift, which the bags can do.

Got the RS5000 on my 2001 F-350 and they improved the ride a ton...on as much bouncing as with the stock shocks. but the RS5000 are not adjustable......BZ

Ive been selling/use on my own 04 S/D KYB monomax shocks,,,firmed up the ride a bunch..

Bilstiens on my Ex with a diesel. They are adjustable, you can add or remove nitrogen to them to dial in your ride. They're expensive but like with everything else you get what you pay for. I have the reservoir shocks on mine, about 180 each.

I had Bilstiens on my old 2500, then Rancho 5000s on my 3500 dually, and now bilstiens on the new 2500...
The Bilstiens mad a world of difference on the 2500, a world.
The RS5000s were also very good, and not as expensive as the Bilstiens.
The Ranchos were bigger (bigger body)...

Everyone was always talking about how good the Bilstiens were...so I bought them. But I really think I should have just put Ranchos on again..