Best shocks??

[Archive]

Guys,
big don here. Got a question for yall. Ol' Blue eats front shocks at the rate of about one set per year. Everywhere I go to get shocks it seems no one has shocks to fit her. Luckily dad bought a set of GABRIEL Gas Ryders about 6 years ago and we kept the receipt. Every year I go to the same store to get new shocks. then they quit carry Gabriel and replaced them with MONROE's. Now I actually busted one of the Monroes and the rod pulled out of the piston. i looked at there computer screen and they had given me shocks for "all applications EXCEPT DIESEL and 4,000# front axle". They do not even offer a shcok for this combo. The shocks that have been on it for so long limit the travel to about 1" of rebound. Basically if I jack the truck up the wheels only drop down about 1 1/2" and then the rubber on the shock mount starts compressing. I would not mind paying $$$$ for the right shocks for her. Probably replace the rear while I'm at it. Getting tired of replacing them all the time. Remeber this is on a 2 wheel drive truck so no four wheeling and no I haven't jumped her (lately). Does Rancho or some other company offer a top of the line shock for the Diesel and 4000# front axle. Actually my build sheet calls for a 3800# front axle, but aftermarket refers to it as a 4000# go figure.

later
Don

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Ol' Blue "First of the first gens: 1989 D 250 Ice blue met. 5 spd 3. 54, 155,000, Banks stage III powerpack, 3. 5" straight exhaust, pump adjustments, "'Ol Blue Special" injectors.
1999 3500 4x4 Chassis cab Emerald green ISB 5 spd 4. 10 K&N Filter straight exhaust 9 ft flatbed WARN fenderflares,Let, 275hp injectors installed, boost and pyro gages, VA plug'n power and Practical Solutions boost module. Jacobs E brake. Getting ready to install Banks Power Pack TLC!!
May buy another one in 2009!!

 

[Archive]

Hello there Don!
I am looking at a Monroe Shock catalog right now and they show the Gas Magnum shock for our trucks. Part number 34868 fits 3/4 and 1 ton 2WD models "with 4000# front axle including Diesel". This application is pretty common back to 1972 with the 4000# axle, even on motor home and some HD van models.
I have used the Monroe Gas Magnum on other trucks in the past and they gave me good service for a readily available popular brand shock. I guess that there are some specialty shocks that would be beter in some ways, but the price on the Monroes and their over the counter availbility makes them a goog deal.
By the way the rear Gas Magnum number is 34832 which is the same as on the trucks with the lighter rated front axle.
Hope this helps!

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92 D250 Auto Trans-Currently stock except for TCI special torque convertor. Now adding 16cm turbo housing, complete 4" exhaust, tachometer, pyrometer, and transmission temperature gauge. Injectors in the near future.
Also have 1984 Volvo D260 with inline 6 diesel made by Volkswagen.

 

[Archive]

Hey Big Don,
I have a 92' one ton rated at 11,000 lbs, with up graded springs front and rear. I just put Rancho rs9000 adjustable jobs on it, and they work fine, and you can set them to handle the load. This truck has a load too, with a 2,000# bed it weighs in at 9,000 unloaded, ha ha. I don't know about long term wear, but if they blow-up I'll be amazed.

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1992 W-350 Club Cab Dually (All quiet for now)
1992 W-350 8' contractors dump with 3. 5" exhaust(don't ask)

 

[Archive]

I lucked out in 94 when Dodge put NAPA(Monroe) in the front of my truck. I then bought Monroes for the rear. With the lifetime warranty on both sets the only problem I have is convincing the parts houses that they are bad. They don't leak much anymore.

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93 D-250-111,000 mi. , 3" Straight exhoust, BD converter & Injectors, 16 cm Turbo, PacBrake, factory electric cooler, 18gal aux fuel tank, Mag-Hytec diff. cover, gages, 33ftAutomate 5th wheel.

 

[Archive]

I Use the Rancho 5000s. Last for years and resonably priced.

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Owner: Stabco Repower, The turbo housing guys. '89, CC, SB, 5sp, 3. 54, 16cm2 housing, maxed fuel, KN, Banks exh w/muffler, Horton fan clutch, Autometer liquid filled gauges, Accessory tach option, 100% Dyna-Mat, Borgeson steering shaft, Firestone air bags, Chrysler V-twin air comp, 2. 5" lift, Rancho Shocks, Alcoa LTS wheels, BFG 255/85/R16 MTs (33. 3")

 

[Archive]

I just bought shocks for the front of mine yesterday and I went with the monroe's. I looked at a set of Rancho 5000, they were $15. 00 apiece higher, $37. 00. But that wasn't the problem, what concerned me is when I pulled them out of the the box to inspect they did not have any pressure on them . Is that the way they are designed? That was the first time I ever looked at Rancho's before. MPb

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92 W350,LE, 4x4, DRW ,4:10 LSD, auto,DTT converter, superior transmission shift kit, 16cm2, PW injectors, K&N, autometer pro comp gauges exhaust temp, boost ,trans temp, tach,pump adjustments black & silver, running boards, stainless wheel covers, 74 Road Runner, 69 Dart GTS factory 383 matching no. s

 

[Archive]

Don,
When I went looking for shocks last fall, I ended up with Rancho 9000s for the rear, and Monroes for the front (4000# rating). At the time I check with a couple of places and was told that there was no Ranchos available for our application.
Doug

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91. 5 D250 5 speed, 16cm2 housing, gauges (EGT, boost, tach), BD exhaust brake (w/ 60lb springs)

[This message has been edited by Doug (edited 01-17-2001). ]