It's time for shocks! Which ones are best?

[SteveAZ]

Woke up one recent day and the factory shocks were shot. In fact thought they were stolen. Anyway, any thoughts on good replacements?



Rancho? KYB? or???????







Thanks

 

[Fred Swanson]

Steve, glad to see you're still around. Give me call sometime. I'm all the way at 183rd Ave. and Bethany.



For around here, probably the 9000's. I'm thinking about them. I've run them for years on the Rock Buggies.

 

[Randy J]

Hey Steve,



There's another post about Rancho 9000's on Ebay. Here it is:



Ranch 9000's



Seems like a pretty good price. At least for now.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Steve,

There's disussion about airbags and Ranchos in the towing and hauling forum...



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=30103&goto=newpost



Hope it helps



Mark

 

[SteveAZ]

Hey Fred,



Great to hear from you too. I kinda tapered off the bombing on the truck lately as I'm not real sure if I'm going to keep this one beyond the lease (Have another 12 mo to go). That puts me in range for an 03 model. Depends on what the engine choices in the 3/4 ton quad cab are.



Anyway, haven't been around much since I now have a jetboat project to support. Working on a bbbc right now as we speak. (bbbc = blown big block chevy) so the next 10G's go into the boat.



If I keep this truck then some transmission mods and injectors will be in order.



Thanks for the info on the shocks from all that responded, I'll check around for the best price.

 

[SteveAZ]

Just curious though, if not the 9000's, then are there other Rancho shocks that would be good. 99% of my driving is hard surface, 1% Crown King

 

[RKelly]

I put the RS9000's in this past summer (somebody stole my shocks at 50,000 miles too)

The adjustability is great, especially for a truck that may be empty one day, and towing 10,000 pounds the next.

I'm happy with them. Would buy them again.

Good luck.

Ray

 

[LSMITH]

Steve, I vote for the Rancho 9K's too. Even if all your driving is hard surface get the adjustables. You can tune the shocks to more closely match your driving style and how you want the shocks to work. If you like a hard tight ride and response, set them high. If you like comfort and a little slower response set them low. If you get a shock that you can't adjust you have what you have which is usually a compromise between loaded and empty performance. JMHO.

 

[craftybigdog]

About edelbrock

Do not get the edelbrock shocks I got them and Im really not happy with them should have went with Bilsteins I heard their the best so far!!!!!

 

[Bob Wagner]

upgrade the suspension

lots of members are going withe www.bilstein.com



Mine are under the tree



Check out the group purchase offer too.

 

[GFoley]

I'd do it the same way if I had to do them again. I have Bilstiens and my trucks constantlty gets comments about how smooth it rides. Of course, its no luxury car, but it sure rides better than OEM shocks. The re is another thread running about Bilstiens, it might be woth the time to search. It was recent but I don't recall what group it was in.

 

[illflem]

I buy all my parts from the Dodge dealer, they have to be better because they cost more.

 

[chuck3]

Originally posted by illflem

I buy all my parts from the Dodge dealer, they have to be better because they cost more.





Sure you do Bill. hehehe

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Explorer Pro Comp has a new shock coming out

Nothing on their web page yet, but Explorer Pro Comp has a new shock coming out the first of the year. Here is the info I got on it from a mailed flyer:



SHOCKING news from Explorer Pro Comp Introducing the new Monotube MX-6 Adjustable shock.



The Monotube MX-6 is the worlds first production externally adjustable shock absorber. For the first time, monotube technology, performance and 6-Way adjustability is available for light truck 4X4 and extreme service applications.



Unlike twin tube shocks that freqently use a "one valve fits all" philosophy, the MX-6 is customed tuned for specific applications. This approach optimizes suspension performance, ride quality and vehicle stability.

 

[shendren]

ok. i guess i have to jump in here. i have just bought my truck and the stock shocks are probably still on it. i think it rides a little too stiff. i run fla to indiana. mostly unloaded but sometimes loaded lightly. i don't know much about shocks. i don't need anything fancy. i don't need to be adjusting anything i believe.



so, questions:



what do you guys suggest?

how long do the stock shocks last?

 

[GFoley]

Try Mine

Shendren,



When you make your next FL to IN trip, stop in Ocala and take a ride in mine. Then you'll know. Send PM for phone and directions.



Glenn Foley

 

[SteveAZ]

Anyone running with KYB's?



Looks like the RS9000's have the ear of the board so far. Are they a pain to adjust?

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by SteveAZ

Anyone running with KYB's?



Looks like the RS9000's have the ear of the board so far. Are they a pain to adjust?

Steve do some independent reasearch on shocks. Bilstein quality is in another league when compared to any other brand. Kinda like Michelin is when you look at tires. If you tow alot and want the adjustable shock I think you would then need to go with the 9000's, but they are not the quality that you will get with the Bilsteins. Don't take my word for it look at how the different shocks are made. I think you will find by reading the threads on TDR that several members have had the 9000's and replaced them with Bilstein. I don't remember reading about any member that had the Bilsteins and replaced them with 9000's or any other shock. Hope you get the shock you need

 

[RottnDogue]

I have Edlebrock's and they $uck I will probably try Bilstiens next.



Darren

 

[sonorakitch]

I have Rancho 5000's, and really enjoy them on the washboards and when loaded. However, street driving empty, it is like having some steel rods in there. I would go with the Bilsteins. Wish I would have. Autozone sells them for around $70. 00, but I found most in the Valley had to special order them.



SteveAZ... . Crown King is quite a nice place. Would be great to have good shocks for that run.



~Chris