2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 4X4 needs shocks.

[RVTRKN]

What are the best shocks for mostly road and some easy offroad? Buddy of mine asked me to start a thread, he is looking for quality. I tried to get him to join TDR but is hesitant about it maybe if this works for him he'll join. His truck is an 01 4X4 2500 CTD with the short bed, tires are 305/70 16

 

[DBentley]

Rancho rs 9000s adjustable seem to be a decent choice. Mine are 2 years old and have seen hard use. They are holding up good except for the white paint is gone and they have been rust color for a year now. Also bilsteins are good.

 

[Dane]

Bilstein 5100 series - www.eshocks.com

 

[ASimpson]

I Have Pretty Much The Same Truck And Have Run Pro Comps Got About 1. 5 Years On The First Set And Put A Leveling Kit On The Fron And Longer Shocks After Using This Second Set I Wont Be Buying Anymore Procomp Shocks They Have Been Junk Since Day 1. Hard To Believe The First Set Was Pretty Good And The Second Set Pure Crap But It Happens I Guess. they Are Kinda Pricey But Ill Probably Try Bilsteins Next.

 

[JFaughn]

Geno's Garage , the sponser of this site , has shocks for the Rams in there catalog .
I couldn't tell you either way , but my thought was that , I will be putting in a set of shocks soon and thought that using there suggestion would be my choise .

 

[RVTRKN]

Rancho rs 9000s adjustable seem to be a decent choice. Mine are 2 years old and have seen hard use. They are holding up good except for the white paint is gone and they have been rust color for a year now. Also bilsteins are good.

Are the adjustable shocks a better way to go no matter what brand you use? I would think it would be, but I am ignorant to the accesory's to these trucks, I stay with stock unless there junk, and I've never had problems in the past except for normal wear

.

 

[RVTRKN]

Are the adjustable shocks a better way to go no matter what brand you use? I would think it would be, but I am ignorant to the accesory's to these trucks, I stay with stock unless there junk, and I've never had problems in the past except for normal wear

.

Well are they?

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

Bilstein 5100 series - www.eshocks.com

thats where i got mine... . i was very pleased with both the shocks and the customer service...

 

[dieselshu]

Bilstein Shocks

I got my 5100's at AJUSA they price matched and I paid $71 and change ea. Cant wait to install them.





Dave

 

[jeepit]

I have the Rancho 9000's on my 85 CJ7 and they have taken an awful abuse over the last 5 years but they still work work just fine. I have just recently put a set on my Dodge and really enjoy the adjustability for towing, hauling,ect... Oo.

 

[DennyDay]

Finally put a set of Billstine on after 2 sets of Ranch 9000 and 3 Monroe both lasted about 20 to 30k miles Billstines ride better than any thing else I've had. The OEM were best until the Billstien - - - Got them from Geno's for $69. ea.



Denny

 

[RVTRKN]

Why or what are the reasons adjusting? Is it 4X4 and or street or is it 4X4 hard or easy for that reason?

 

[wcjp]

I ran the Rancho 9000's on my 96'. I also have them on my modified Jeep. Towing with them was great. They're adjustable with settings 1-9. I ran all four shocks on 3 when empty. This made the ride considerably better when empty compared to stock. Any less than 3 (2 or 1) and the truck felt floaty. When hauling the slidein and Jeep I ran the rears at 9 and the fronts at 7. This made the shocks stiffer than stock and removed any type of perceived sway. I think Rancho's have a lifetime warranty. They're on sale right now buy 3, 4th shock free.



I have found http://www.samsoffroad.com/ has the best price for Rancho shocks. Bought the Dodge and Jeep shocks through him.

 

[RVTRKN]

I ran the Rancho 9000's on my 96'. I also have them on my modified Jeep. Towing with them was great. They're adjustable with settings 1-9. I ran all four shocks on 3 when empty. This made the ride considerably better when empty compared to stock. Any less than 3 (2 or 1) and the truck felt floaty. When hauling the slidein and Jeep I ran the rears at 9 and the fronts at 7. This made the shocks stiffer than stock and removed any type of perceived sway. I think Rancho's have a lifetime warranty. They're on sale right now buy 3, 4th shock free.



I have found http://www.samsoffroad.com/ has the best price for Rancho shocks. Bought the Dodge and Jeep shocks through him.

Thanks for the info guys, I will pass the info on to my buddy, and great example wcjp

 

[JGrover]

Are the adjustable shocks a better way to go no matter what brand you use? I would think it would be, but I am ignorant to the accesory's to these trucks, I stay with stock unless there junk, and I've never had problems in the past except for normal wear

.

Spent some time reading about shocks earlyer.

Bilsteins 5100 are valved more for offroad

HD Bilsteins 2549/2550 valved more for the road

Monotube shocks are the best performing shocks/lasting shocks

Bilstein/Edelbrock are Monotube

Rancho 9000s are a 3 chamber shock

Ive had the 9000s on for 160k

The ride sucks now :{

#1/#3 settings backend hops

#4 setting feels like suspension wont move. Even with a 9k boat in tow

 

[JPittinger]

Monotube shocks are the best performing shocks/lasting shocks

Bilstein/Edelbrock are Monotube

This is stretching the facts a little... I'd bet a beer that my King 2. 5's or Fox 2. 0's would significantly out perform either of these. Someone on here fit King 3. 0's on the front that would probably do even better. (Yup, I'm a little jealous) I'll even argue cost: All shocks have parts that will wear out- Some have replacable parts and some you just replace. Fox 2. 0's are about 2. 5x the $ of a Bilstein 5100, so eventually I'll 'break even' with a much better shock.

 

[DBrickel]

Bilstein 5100 series - www.eshocks.com

What he said

 

[DBazley]

A broken record here, but here's another vote for either:



1) Rancho 9000's - if you tow varied loads and run empty, too. They simply allow you to dial in the level of stiffness required for your conditions.



2) Bilsteins - if you don't feel you need adjustability but do demand quality & consistent performance.



I've had huge loads (well, for me 22,500 Gross on a SRW 2500 4x4) that felt scary but dialed 'em up to 8 or 9 and confidence returned. Hard to put a price on that.



One time I unloaded all the weight, forgot to dial 'em back to 3, and went flying down our rutted dirt road.



WHOA ---3 broken teeth later... ... point is, the adjustment really makes a difference. It only takes all of 30 seconds to change 'em.



On our Ram Van B 2500 I run the heavy duty Bilsteins (not sure if its the exact part # for our trucks, I guess it may be) and they're great. I went with them because I was curious to try Bilstein quality and am NOT disappointed.



Very nice ride, not rough but firm & superb handling (for a van).



I did tow a heavy U Haul recently with this van, and was wishing for the adjustability of the Rancho's, like our Ram truck has, but overall it was fine.



Us TDR veterans have heard this discussed for years on these forums, [and not to knock any other choices that may also satisfy], Rancho 9000's and Bilsteins are the top 2 choices.



My . 02 anyhow... .



Regards,



David B.

 

[Bob4x4]

This is stretching the facts a little... I'd bet a beer that my King 2. 5's or Fox 2. 0's would significantly out perform either of these. Someone on here fit King 3. 0's on the front that would probably do even better. (Yup, I'm a little jealous) I'll even argue cost: All shocks have parts that will wear out- Some have replacable parts and some you just replace. Fox 2. 0's are about 2. 5x the $ of a Bilstein 5100, so eventually I'll 'break even' with a much better shock.

How very true! I have had most every brand and type shock on various rigs over the years and now have 3" kings all the way around,set-up by Carli suspension. There is nothing like a NICE shock that is valved for the way you drive. As far as price goes... ... ..... it's only money :-laf . Why work if you can't spend it.



Bob

 

[DBazley]

Question for you on shocks...thanks David B.

How very true! I have had most every brand and type shock on various rigs over the years and now have 3" kings all the way around,set-up by Carli suspension. There is nothing like a NICE shock that is valved for the way you drive. As far as price goes... ... ..... it's only money :-laf . Why work if you can't spend it.



Bob

Hey Guys, it sounds like you've got a bit of info on the 'custom' shock options. Couple a questions:



Do these units, Fox or King fit our trucks if our suspension is mostly stock, or only lifted models ? For me, I've got a minor 2" Rancho Lift on the front, rear is stock.



Is the valving set by the shop that sells them to you ? Can the owner change it ? What is the cost for units and also for valving changes ?



I probably fall into the category of mostly street driving, (very little off road) running empty 75 %, towing heavy 25 %.



What benefit do you see for a guy driving like I do, to switch from Rancho 9000's, which seem to work fine, to the more custom units you recommend ?



Best Regards,



David B.