Rancho 9000's... Bilstiens...Monroe sensa track..ect..ect.... GOTTA DECIDE SOON

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I've got some time this week.

Just about every night after work I'm free...
TIME FOR A PROJECT!!!!

I've been watching the board about shocks. . and need some input...

So far the one that has my interest are the Bilstiens. . the ones with the new valving that can sense if the motion came from the wheel or the truck. .

I havn't counted out the Rancho 9000's. . Nor the Monroe sensatrack that Ted J likes. .

But it's time to make a decision. . LIKE TOMORROW!!

Let's get some last minute input here. .
Part Numbers / and where to get them (IE PEP Boys... National Speed... . Summit... ACME. )

Also a replacement for the factory front dampener...

Thanks all... Here is some info to help think about the problem

1998. 5 ISB ,Automatic, 4X4, 3. 54 rear... Club Cab, Short Bed, NEVER TOW!!!, Combination Highway/Backroad commute, 4 Wheeling is confined to Logging Roads/ Dirt roads.

I am A bit of a Speed Hound and drive the BEAST like my old Mustang.

When the Factory 245 Michelins go I will replace with 265's...

Thanks again... and sorry for the short notice. . but it's all I got as well...

Larry Quinn

 

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Larry, I got to tell you I just tried the 9000's for the last few months. I really like them. I just got back from your neck of the woods at Lime rock Park this weekend and I got to tell you I forgot to change the adjustment and when I got up in the hills they smoothed out the ride. I have also pulled various loads around town and long distances with nice results. Just my 2 cents worth. Talk to you at Teds on August 12. We are also going to have a tech session @ Autowerks Diesel with Michael Prinamore on saturday September 23. I hope you can make it.

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96 2500HD, lost my cat,K&N-Re-0880,Rancho RS 9000's, ext. cab, LWB, 4x4 w/western 8. 5 pro plow-finally paid for, 4. 10, tek style by design tonuea cover w/thule bike rack over the bed and cover, aftermarket front bumper with the foglights under the headlights,like the new style, red bumper and grill with billet aluminium inserts, mopar black powdercoted nerf bars, under the rail bedliner, wood grain dash, cab lights and dual trumpet horns,Marvel Mystery Oil and some Rotella, All SNAP ON, eclipse cd player w/extant amp on steroids, 124,000 going strong

80 Porsche 911 SC Turbo Look Track car

 

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Just my 2cents that I've been happy with RS9000's and have the in cab adjustment. I think it's changed since I bought mine(air compressor w/lines going to each shock). It's worth the trouble to install it because you'll be amazed how often you will change settings on the fly. The key w/the air pressure system is to seal the plastic fitting to the shock where the adjustment knob would normally go. I cut little rubber gaskets to mine and the pressure will hold for 2-3 weeks if I don't change the settings.

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'98. 5 2500 QC ISB 4x4 SLT, Auto w/Transgo shiftkit-T/C built w/TCRS equip, DD II's w/Module&Elbow, VA box, Rancho 9000's w/in cab adjust, Mag-Hytec trans&diff covers, Jacobs E-Brake w/BD autoloc, AirBullDog hood induction system

 

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I had a dual shock setup installed last week with 4 Rancho 9000's. It rides a lot nicer than before. The rear has a pair of the 9000's. It is a smoother ride back there without any weight in the truck... CJ 99. 5 F350 CC 4X4 DRW auto with 4. 10LS, Hot Superchip, Banks 3. 5" downpipe and
BHA, complete 4" exhaust system, Rancho lift, BFG 255/85/16 Mud Terrains, ARE Cab
High, Mag Hytec Diff Cover, Triple guages, Husky Mud Guards DYNOED AT 319/645.
SEE PICTURES AT http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=950434&a=7098479

 

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Hey CJ,

Where did you get your Rancho 9000s? Since you are in the DFW area and bought 6 instead of 4, you might know a good place. Did your truck come with quads on the front from the factory? My Bronco has 'em--that twin I-Beam front drive axle puts a lot of unsprung weight in motion under there.

Jeff Clark and I need a set and are looking for the best price. Evidently, the "4 for the price of 3" sale ended at the end of June. (Just my luck!!) Maybe if I don't get in too big a hurry, Tenneco might decide they want to move some more and put them back on sale.

Bill

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, V-A CPC, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, 80% Towing Hitchhiker II 31', 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW

 

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I got the Bilstines. Sure its a 2wd, but all weekend I was driving in a field, and it rode much better through the field. Even much better then when it was brand new. On the chuck holes that used to throw people off the tailgate, it was much smother.

And on the road the difference is great. You can no longer move the wheel left to right to left and start the truck rocking (used to do that to bother my wife).

Cost: just under $200. 00 delevered for 4.
I think, it was Offroadwarehouse.com I will have to check the paper work.


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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd.
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

 

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Bill,
I bought the Rancho's at 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers in Fort Worth. I purchased the lift there as well. I bought it all back in June when it was buy 3 get 1 free. The lift was also installed free if purchased before June 24th. The shocks were 3 for 199. 00 at the time. I purchased 6 and have two left to put on the back. I figure they will need it before the front. The front did not have dual shocks from Ford. I had an Explorer/Procomp dual shock mount added at the same time. It was 144. 95... . CJ

 

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CJ,

Thanks. I am thinking of running down to Fort Worth to the 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers and get mine too. I can get them a bit cheaper on the internet, but I have to pay the freight.

Bill

 

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Thanks for the input to ALL!!!

I went with my first selection... BILSTIENS!!

Just Couldn't pass up on the technology!!!


Monroe SensaTracks were a close second. . (I actually had a set on order BEFORE I found the Bilstiens)

I cancelled the order for the Monroe's when I found the Bilstiens at a GREAT PRICE!!!

I thought I was going to have to spend 120. 00-150. 00 EACH for the Bilstiens. . But couldn't justify 600. 00 for SHOCKS!!!


Now... I will need to know what special tools. . if any... I'll need to do the job...

I already sprayed release oil onto the old shock Bolts...

Tomorrow I DIG IN!!!!!!!!...

If you could tell me what tools I need . . I'll stop at SEARS and pick them up!!!!
From what I see... I'll need some DEEP
SOCKETS for the bolts... ... . What Size???


WOOHOOOO... . Bombed Suspension... ...

Larry

 

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Larry,

Bilsteins were my first BOMB. I like the handling, ride, etc. There have been postings on shock installation. No special tools needed just metric sockets. The front ones are the bear. You need to unbolt the shock towers to remove and install the shocks. The drivers side is harder. I did not remove anything lines, etc to do mine, nor did I jack up the truck although I have since read that that makes it easier. The back ones are a no brainer.

 

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Why did you have to remove the front towers???

I went looking and must have missed something...

PLEASE Continue... .

It looked like if you put on the hardware before the shock goes up into the tower that there will be no need to remove the tower...


I want to make this as painless as possible... but if the towers have to come off the driver's side is gonna be a ROYAL PAIN!!!!

 

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You need to put the front ones inside the springs, so you take the piece off with the three bolts that holds the top on, and pull it up. Not too tough with a long extension, and maybe a wobble. A small prybar(12") is handy to reach inside the springs to pop the bottoms out if they're stuck, also handy for lining the new ones up.

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"Roadrunner"-96 4X4 club cab-12v-auto-3. 54 gears-Amsoil bypass filter - all Amsoil fluids-trans filter-britebox-shelfit-DeeZee boards-Rhino liner-Rancho 5 speed shocks-Hellwig rear antisway & overload springs-Warn 12000 lb. winch-dual redtop optimas-combo gauge and trans. temp gauge in pillar mount-255/85R16 Kelly MSR tires-custom pinstriping- Walker muffler-Cummins mudflaps-Tuff Country control arms-2" coil spacers

[This message has been edited by Josparkz (edited 07-11-2000). ]

 

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Bilsteins are ON... .

Total time from start to finish was 2. 5 hours!

Driver's side was indeed a pain to do... . but it's water under the bridge now!!!

Only One thing went wrong... .

I was on my back doing the first rear shock...
As I went to loosen up the bottom bolt. .

WOOOOO TIGHT!!!!

Went to put the "Extra Beef" into it. . and all of a sudden the socket slips off and the ratchet SLAMS right into my FRONT TOOTH!!!!!!

YEEOUCH!!!!!!!

Damn. . I thought it was broken off for sure... .

Cracked it... and now it's NUMB... .

THIS WILL PROBABLY BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE SHOCK CHANGE IN MY LIFE!!!!!

SOB... . SOB... .

Dentist is gonna LOVE seeing me walk in... .


Maybe now he'll be able to afford that new addition to his house!!!!

Wait 'till he asks me how it happened!!!!!

Larry

 

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Larry,

One other thing I just remembered about the front shocks. I could not get the lower spacer on my Bilsteins to go into the bracket that the bolt goes through. I tried to pry the opening apart the hair that I needed but could not. I had to pull the shock back out and file the spacer. Same on the other side. Try fitting from under the truck first before you drop it in.

 

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Larry: Glad to see you got your Bilsteins installed. Do you mind letting the rest of us Ram browsers know where you found your good deal? I've been tossing the question in my mind of Monroe Sensatracs or Bilsteins?Thanks. Jerry.

 

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Larry,
I am also interested. Where did you get them? Also, how do they work?

 

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I got them from www.offroadwarehouse.com
They have a 1-800 number... call it...
The web page is a little sparse. .

MAKE SURE you tell them the truck is a GVW 8800 LBS
We've got the BIG BOY... and Bilstein tailors the valving to the vehicle by weight!!!

The part Numbers for both the 2500 and 3500 series 4X4 with a GVW of 8800 is the same:

Front= BE5-2549
Rear= BE5-2550

I don't want to post a price per shock... But if you take the number of day's in a year and Divide by 6 you've got the deal!!!!!
SWEEEEETTTTTT!!!


As far as handeling... . It's GREAT... On Road!

No idea Offroad YET!!!!!

I'll be going on Vacation Mid August and will be doing some 4 wheeling up in Maine...

The Yellow Shock With The Blue Cap Looks AWESOME TOO... Real trick looking!!!!!

$$$$$ Well Spent!!!!...
(Otherwise they would have been off in a heartbeat!!!!)

Larry

 

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I had a bad stock shock at 28,000. They (DC) offered me a free set, but I declined. Looked for Bilstiens, but only could find them mail order. Purchased a set of Mountain Riders VST from Les Schwab here in Portland Oregon. Same technology as the Monroe Sensa Tracks, in fact they may be Monroes with the Schwab label. Big improvement from stock and they have a lifetime warranty.

Les Schwab tires is located through out the western states. I also have a new set of Wild Country RVT 285/75/16 from them.

I do not work for or am associated with Les Schwab tires, just a happy customer. Great Service.

Chris

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1998. 5 4x4 Laramie SLT 2500 quad cab, AT, long box, Loaded except leather. Black/Grey,
Matching Totem canopy, Bed liner, diamomd plate rails and tail gate, Carr steps, y2k fog lights installed, K&N air filter, Magna Flow muffler (no resonator)Monster chrome tip. Gauges next, then ????

1998 27ft Nash Trailer. 6K, no problem!

 

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Larry: Thanks for the purchasing information on Bilsteins. I'll check out the website you listed. Thanks again.

 

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I've had Bilsteins on another 4x4 truck for about 7 years and I think they're great. I had a Bilstein suspension system on a car years ago and the handling was awesome. Several folks are pushing Edelbrock as revolutionary . . . I'm tempted to stick with a product that's worked well for me for the last 15 years. Thoughts?