2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Heavy Duty Shock Absorber Question

[SBettencourt]

Can anyone recommend a good heavy duty shock for a 2001 3500? I've been looking at all the usual suspects (bilstein, monroe, koni, etc) but when I check part numbers, they all will "also fit" a 1500. Just seems like if it will work on a light weight truck it would be next to useless on a real truck.



I put RS5000's on a couple of years ago but they really don't seem to be doing much. I'm sure they are better than nothing at all. The weight of the engine and the weight when towing my 5er seem to overpower them.



Any suggestions would be appreciated.



Thanks

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

I have rancho rsx 9000's absolutely love them Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Why not try Rancho 9000 on the back/front they have nine settings. You can use the in-cab control for the fronts. Backs are easy to change settings. I been running Ranchos 9000 with 5 setttings for years (9000 on back and regular on front).

As far as shocks being used on 1500s on up to 3500s I would think that the same frame is used just heavier springs and bigger brakes on the 2500/3500.

At least they have the same design.

 

[DBazley]

Hello there:

I don't think you'll say that about the adjustable Rancho 9000's as bigdaddy said. I wouldn't drive my 1997 Ram 2500 4x without them. Seriously, you dial in the exact ride & firmness you need. I've had 'em for 100 k miles, about 7 years, and love 'em.

On my gasser Ram Van 2500 (same chasis, basically as a 2500 gasser 2 wd Ram truck), I went with the Bilsteins, as they're about the stoutest things for it.

I did try to find the adjustable Rancho 9000's for my van, and they only offered them for the rear, and I don't tow much with it. So the van got the Bilsteins.

The main advantage of the 5 or 9 way adjustable Rancho's is you can tighten up the firmness for towing. If you hate that 'heavily loaded floating' feeling, you'll appreciate how well these tame that feeling.

Unloaded I run em at about 6 of 9 in the front - med hi firm, and about 3 of 9 on the rears. If I load up the gooseneck, the fronts go to 7/8 and the rears to about 6/7.

Like the Bilsteins, they're lifetime warranty, so no worries.

Just my . 02 hope it helps you out.

David B.

 

[Regcabguy]

Bilsteins

I had Rancho 9000's and then Bilsteins on my '99. I preferred the Bilsteins.

 

[SBettencourt]

I should have mentioned that I have RS9000s in my 1500. I also put in the dual remote kit. They worked great with my small truck camper. Other than that the remote kit sucks and they rusted badly, I like the shocks.
General consensus is for the 9000s so I guess I'll give 'em a try.
Hmmm, being the cheapskate that I am I think I'll swap the rear shocks between the 1500 and 3500 and just get new fronts.
Thanks for the input.
SteveB

 

[RCook]

Check out the new and improved RS9000 XL's I just replaced my old 9000's with them, and they're much better.

 

[Hobart]

I've heard Monroe actually makes the shocks and just tarts them up a bit for Rancho - white paint and red boots etc. I have a set of 3 yr old Ranchos but I don't seem to feel any difference between the settings with the camper on. (haven't taken it off for years)

 

[JGK]

I had Rancho 9000's and then Bilsteins on my '99. I preferred the Bilsteins.

Baja, why do/did you prefer the Bilsteins? What did they do for you the Rancho's didn't?



I've had Rancho 5000s on my '98 QC long bed for 5 or 6 years but I've never been impressed with how they handle the expansion joints on the local freeway bypass. With the heavy duty spring package on my truck it just beats the crap out of my kidneys no matter what the setting. I wish I could fix that without changing out the spring package.



Thanks,

-Jay

 

[JMetzger]

I just put on a set of Monroe HD's on my truck & they do allright pulling my 10,000 RV. I got them on the sale where you buy 3 & the fourth is free. Anything would have been better then what I had.

 

[SBettencourt]

I have to say even though the on board air adjustment thing is screwed up on my 1500 I am considering leaving it on. Today I'm driving down RT27 (concrete highway) on Long Island with the shocks set on 3 and the expansion joints are about bouncing the GPS off the dash. I just dumped the air to 0 and the ride was much better. Of course in an hour the fronts would have been down anyway.

[I never had any problem with this system until last winter when I had the front end checked out. I think when they put the truck on the lift and let the axle hang it did something to one of the shocks. I've cleaned and replaced every air line with no success. I just wanted to mention that because this had been a good system up to that point. ]

I should mention that the ride in this truck is not that great to begin with because I put 023/024 springs in front and Helwig LP-25 on back so it is pretty stiff.
My 3500 rides like a Caddy compared to this but I want to get rid of the wallowy feel. The adjustable 9000 latest version might be the ticket.
Jack makes a good statement about the Monroe's being better than what was on there. My RS5000s were only marginally better than the stock shocks. I think because there's too many compromises to be able to work on light trucks as well as heavy trucks. Adjustability might be the key.

 

[onstottc]

I put a set of Rancho 9000s on my truck in September '05. By The end of 2006 I was getting less damping on the highest setting than I did with the old factory shocks. I contacted Rancho and they are sending me a new set under warranty, but I might just sell them and get a set of bilsteins unless someone can assure me that they have improved their longevity in the past 3 years.

 

[BK]

I'm running the Bilsteins for most of my 99's life. Changed them after the 2nd year.

The stock shocks faded immediately on the washboards heading out to our camping spot on the beach, about a 6mile run towing a 30fter.

It was painful to hear it bottom out when even at 5mph, the front end got away from me with the oscillations.

The Bilsteins were a HUGE difference, no more fading, no more front end running away with it's self with oscillations. Very well behaved. Same set, still running well.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Can anyone recommend a good heavy duty shock for a 2001 3500? I've been looking at all the usual suspects (bilstein, monroe, koni, etc) but when I check part numbers, they all will "also fit" a 1500. Just seems like if it will work on a light weight truck it would be next to useless on a real truck.



I put RS5000's on a couple of years ago but they really don't seem to be doing much. I'm sure they are better than nothing at all. The weight of the engine and the weight when towing my 5er seem to overpower them.



Any suggestions would be appreciated.



Thanks

Shocks are simply a dampener, they don't (shouldn't) carry anything. Sounds like you need more spring or a rear swaybar or maybe the ultimate in towing, a set of rear airbags.

 

[Regcabguy]

Baja, why do/did you prefer the Bilsteins? What did they do for you the Rancho's didn't?



I've had Rancho 5000s on my '98 QC long bed for 5 or 6 years but I've never been impressed with how they handle the expansion joints on the local freeway bypass. With the heavy duty spring package on my truck it just beats the crap out of my kidneys no matter what the setting. I wish I could fix that without changing out the spring package.



Thanks,

-Jay

The Bilstein's are advertised to retain 98% of their dampening properties for 100,000 miles. With my '99 and camper shell they worked perfectly. However,with the addition of my 2000# popup the Bilsteins were overwhelmed in the rear. I did replace them w/9000's which resulted in a stable handling rig but beat me to death on the freeway and hitting bumps. I'd consider calling Sage Carli and inquiring about his new 2. 0 Bilstein setup. He'll custom valve those shocks for a one time fix for the customer.

 

[icman95]

Love my rancho 9000's. Keep them on 5 when empty. Turn the backs up to 9 when towing my camper and the truck rides like a Caddy. Much, Much better than stock. My wife was getting motion sickness with stock shocks. New ones, no problem.