shocks revisited

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I use my truck for daily transportation and pulling my trailer. It wont be seeing any agressive off road use. Driving empty the OEM shocks work just fine. While towing my trailer,which is a bumper pull,there are times that I feel Im in a boat. I know a quality shock will correct this. In my application a non adjustable shock would work just fine. Im leaning towards Bilsteins,Gabriels or Monroes. They are all quality products with a good reputation. Does anyone have these shocks are their truck?How are they working?

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1999 2500 Cummins w/4spd auto,Quad Cab,SWB,4x4,Flame red ,all options less leather and radio controls on steering wheel,OEM color matched runningboards,DeeZee bedrails painted black,Power Vision Mirrors,OEM ventshades,Oem sill covers,OEM underrail bedliner

 

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A few folks I know including Ted J have the Munroes [monroes] I am putting a set on my next RAM. All feedback is very favorable.

Have a great Holiday

SCOTT

 

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I have used Ranchos and Monroes (from NAPA). I liked the ride from the Monroes better. I did have a problem with the Monroes. The lower front mounts need to be torqued to about 90ftlb. This was from the Monroe tech support line. Otherwise the shocks will slide around in the mount. I will get Monroes next time. I don't know about everybody else but the factory shocks wear out at around 8,000 miles. This is my 4th Ram and this has been true with all 4.

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98. 5 ISB 5 Speed 4x4 SWB Quad Cab K&N

 

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I have been told also that factory shocks were not very good and should be replaced at about 10000 miles. I ALSO HAVE DONE THIS IN THE PAST even though DC calls them heavy duty? Anybody have any opinions on this as IM about ready to change mine at 10000 milesand would hope I am not wasting money ? Also I MUST say Iam sorry for my bad typing skills etc. but high school typing was along time ago so I WILL PRACTICE ON YOU GUYS and hopefully get better. the capital key makes me crazy.

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99-24v-SLT-Laramie-355 lsd-4x4-auto-reg. cab long box all options except cab lights and carpet K+N-Prime-Loc-Rino -Astroflex remote-Alcoa wheels-CUMMINS IN ALASKA!!!

 

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I put Monroe Synsitracs(sp) on my '95 about 50K miles ago. So far so good. These things are supposed to have a life time warrenty (yeah, right!) and have survived some pretty serious pot holes. The truck handles better than my '82 Imperial if that means anything.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,Torque plate,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

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FWIW, I have Trailmaster SSV's and like the way they perform. I have less than 500 mi. on them, installed with my leveling kit.

I know the NAPA Sensa-Trac is an excellent product, manufactured by and identical to Monroe.

Rob

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1999 2500HD 4x4 SLT Driftwood QC LB 3. 55LSD 5spd Camper/Tow, Custom Front Bumper/Brush Guard, PIAA 90ProXT's, PIAA Platinum Headlamp Bulbs, Per-Lux 550 rr mtd aux b/u lights, Diamond Plate Bed Caps w/full frt&rr DiaPlate Protectors, Attwood 25Klb. rollover gooseneck hitch, Kelly Safari AWR LT255/85-16 tires, 2" Trailmaster leveling kit w/shocks, Muffler/Silencer Ring gone, Totem alum canopy, Mobil Delvac1 5W-40, and... cup smoothie

 

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My advise is to go with Bilstein for the front two, and Rancho RS9000 for the rears. The Bilsteins are built very well. Bilstein only produces shocks, nothing else. I was looking at $400,000 motorhomes the other day (just for fun), and noticed they had Bilstein shocks on them. Bilstein shocks are used exclusively in racing. The $700 Z-71 option on Chevy pickups only includes one skid plate and "Bilstein shocks". They are truly quality. For the rear, adjustable shocks are the way to go. The Bilsteins might be too rough when unloaded. The Rancho RS9000 are $51 ea. from www.hotrod-offroad.com . I hope you take my advise as you will be very satisfied.

Regards,
Michael

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'00 2500 RAM, RegCab, 4x2, Cummins, 6-spd, Driftwood/Agate...

 

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I have Bilstein on all four corners and have been quite happy with them. The ride is indeed harsh when unloaded on my 3500 4x4 but it's no worse than it was stock.

The ride and control when loaded is much improved over the stock shocks.

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'98 B5. 9 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 3. 54, Banks PowerPack, PacBrake

 

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#ad
I've still got the original shocks on mine, they seem to be still working.

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99QC,white,5sp,3. 55lsd, isspro EGT & boost, stock, 26,200 miles 12-13-99- -EX phord owner
15-16. 5 MPG hwy ,14-15 city , 10-12 with 4,000lb TT

 

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Thanks for the response. I agree that the oem shocks arent all that great. I found that out the first trip with my trailer. With 8000mion the truck Im finally getting ready to start BOMBing it. Nothing to drastic to start out with. Just little improvements.

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1999 2500 Cummins w/4spd auto,Quad Cab,SWB,4x4,Flame red ,all options less leather and radio controls on steering wheel,OEM color matched runningboards,DeeZee bedrails painted black,Power Vision Mirrors,OEM ventshades,Oem sill covers,OEM underrail bedliner

 

[Archive]

I just got two Rancho RS9000 rear shocks for Christmas. I put them on my 2500 2wd and they make a world of difference. I put them on setting 1 since I find that to be the most comfortable when unloaded. They were $100 from www.hotrod-offroad.com I received them the very next day. Very pleased with the product.

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'00 2500 RAM, RegCab, 4x2, Cummins, 6-spd, Driftwood/Agate...

 

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I'm very happy with my Monroe Plus LT shocks. $26. 00 each at Parts America. I also had to retorque the front bottom bolts after realizing what the deep rattle was. They're soft unloaded and reach their stiff position at about the same time the aux springs make contact when loaded. Last time I put 3,300 lbs of elevator test weights in the bed, there was no "porpoising" or bottoming out. It was actually more stiff than when empty. The stock shocks where terrible. Just my humble happy opinion.

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Steve McDaniel,
98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10, Comanche 245/75R16Es, Monroe LT Plus shocks, Silencer ring removed, Stainless exhaust flex coupling.
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1