Edelbrock Performer IAS or Bilstien Shocks?

[LSMITH]

The rough ride complaint DOES have some merit. I agree that the truck was designed to haul and that it should not ride like a car, but why should you have a harsher ride than what is necessary to do the job you are doing at the moment? Running empty you do not need a hard shock or the rough ride from a hard shock. Load the truck up and you NEED a hard shock. The adjustable shocks give you the flexibility to have the best of both worlds. I had over 3000 pounds in the bed today and the Rancho's on level 5 gave me the same ride and drive I get empty, then coming empty I had factory soft ride. Just my honest opinions.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Rancho 9000's Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[Double 6]

I have used KYB Gas-A-Just shocks on several older pickups, with good results. With lots of gravel road pounding miles on them, they still feel good, and I would not hesitate to use them again.

They may cost more than your auto store $12 specials, but worth it.

 

['956Wheel]

I say BILSTIENS... ... "Hambone" at work got the Evilcrocks and he said they are shot after 6000 miles! Mine (Bilsteins) ROCK! Stay with manifolds Edel!

 

[supergas]

I have Bilsteins on both trucks and belive they are the most well built shock I have ever seen and $49 each at Auto Zone beats any name brand top of the line shock. I have been scared of Edelbrocks because what can an intake manifold maker know about shocks.

 

[John]

Edelbrock IAS

Originally posted by supergas

I have been scared of Edelbrocks because what can an intake manifold maker know about shocks.

Correct however, Ricor, a designer of off-road racing shocks pioneered the IAS valving system. The shocks were designed by Ricor and Edelbrock purchased exclusive rights to them, manufacturing them in their state of the art facility which is dedicated soley for shock production. It would seem to me they are very serious about shocks.



supergas, I have had two other vehicles equipped with Bilstein shocks, a 4x4 as well as a car with racing Bilstein's... excellent shocks!



'956Wheel, really? Your friend's Edelbrock IAS shocks were shot after only 6k mi. ?

 

[Extreme1]

I gotta pipe up...

With regards to ride quality:



As mentioned above, tire pressure has a very significant effect as does tire construction. As these are spring/mass/damper systems, changing one of the three affects the other two.



So, if you drive around with your tires at or near max pressure, that increases the spring rate (the tires are a spring in series with the vehicle springs). So, the damping rate (all that the shocks do) must be adjusted accordingly.



Also, if your truck is heavily loaded, it rides smoother. Another change to the system!!!



IF you compare similar trucks (same wheelbase, spring rate, same tires, same tire size, same inflation pressure, 4x4, etc) you will have a fair side by side comparison for shocks. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO COMPARE!!!!!





With regards to gas charged shocks:

The gas pressure is used to apply pressure to the oil to keep it from airating in all charged shocks. The higher the pressure (to a point), the better it works.



Tube size does matter! All other things being equal, a larger tube will hold more oil and have a larger surface area to disipate heat. But if this is a consideration, you need a better shock than the production stuff mentioned here. And a larger tube has higher torsion and bending stiffness than a smaller one.



Rod size matters too! Too small a rod diameter will bend instead of forcing a piston through the oil. Again, if this happend to you on your Ram, you are probably doing something wrong and/or you broke a bunch of other parts.





With regards to shock selection:

I have the Rancho 9000's with remote. I installed them about 2 months before the IAS shocks came out. At that time, the only shocks I could find were the same fit for 1/2 tons. Since I knew that I wouldn't be satisfied with a "one size fits all" damping setting, and since I would have varying loads on the truck, I installed the only manually adjustable shock availble. If Bilstiens or Konis were adjustable I would have installed them.



The Rancho's do what I expected over the correct range of adjustment AS LONG AS THE TIRE PRESSURE IS CORRECT. However, if you install a larger tire on a dually, you can't lower the rear tire pressure to the recommended pressure to regain ride quality because the tires will rub. (I'm buying 215's next time). If I had it to do over again, I would consider the Edelbrocks, depending on the warrantee.



One note about the 9000s: If you live in the rust belt (AKA salt belt), install the remote kit or you will loose the adjustability feature. Rancho used a POS sealing method to keep moisture out of the adjustment area and the adjustment pins will sieze, I replaced 2 of mine at 1 year.



Sorry for the book, at least you didn't have to take the class.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have about 50k on my Bilsteins now. For quite a while I was curious about trying the Rancho's because the Bilstein ride can be a bit "firm". I run 70 psi front, 60 psi rear all the time. Since I added a 100 galion fuel transfer tank, my ride is prettty smooth. Course' on average I run around with 50 gallons of fuel. I'll be keeping the Bilsteins.



Someone mentioned Trailmasters. I put a set on an F250 my wife used to have. She ran around mostly empty. Had a couple of them blow out but replaced under warrenty.



I have run a lot of Bilsteins but never replaced any with upward of 100k on them. Since I figure on running this truck a couple of hundred or so, it will be a good test.

 

[Cooker]

QRTRHRS,



I am thinking about the Trailmasters. What model did you/she have? How was the ride of the shocks. Did you go from a stock shock the the Trailmasters?



Thanks for the info,

Ryan

 

[QRTRHRS]

Ryan,



This was an 85' F250 with live rather than the floating axle, so not the real heavy suspension. I don't recall the shock model. The ride was excellent though. No complaint there. Even an unladen light duty F250 can be a little harsh you know. Like I said, the shocks were replaced for free. The install was done by yours truly thats all.



The shocks that I replaced were not discernable anymore so I don't know what they were. This was a work truck and not worthy of Bilsteins or what ever. Monroe Magnum's would have been cheap enough but I hate the ride on those. Price and parts man recommendation led to the Trailmasters.



I would go the extra for something better.