Shocks - What brand

[John Berger]

I'm considering new shocks for my truck. Any input on what would be the best. I tow 8-10K about 20 percent of the time. Thanks.

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec diff. cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics from nose to tail.
Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

 

[BCFAST]

Mr Berger, because you tow/haul part-time, I recommend the Rancho 9000's. They are adjustable so that you can run soft when empty or stiff when hauling. I recently installed a set and cannot believe it's the same truck! There are other options: Bilsteins, Edelbrock, and even a cheaper Rancho... but you will find they ride hard when unloaded and are not adjustable. Just my $. 02

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, Green, #12 plate slid all the way forward, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

[Ram_Kowboy]

I installed Monroe Gas Magnums. They have handled the loads well however, they began leaking fairly soon IMO. No problem, they had a lifetime guarantee.

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98 Properly Valved 4x4 SWB QC ISB A/T Metallic Red w/ tan cloth interior, DC nerf bars, DC two piece mud-flaps, 275 h. p. injectors, Monroe Gas Magnums, Armor Tuff spray in bed liner, Goodyear Wrangler ATS 285/75r/16, BD Heavy Duty Valve body. Walker 21468 thru flow muffler,Cobra 29 NWST CB. American Racing Wheels. Power Edge EZ control module.

 

[BLACKRAM]

Anybody using Bilsteins?

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1999 2500 4x4, auto, 3. 54, HD241, Quad cab SLT, Blk Sport Pkg, 285 Bridgestone AT, Amsoil.
1992 SC400
1978 Mooney 201 IFR

 

[DennyDay]

I'm using Ranch 9000's with 50k miles on them and a constant GVW of 8600 pounds on my 2500, they are the first ones I've been happy with

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Denny
'99 2500 4X4 White short Q cab to much added to put here

 

[arlan]

I am have been running the Rancho 9000's for the past 30,000 miles. I have my slide-in camper loaded 100% of the time, shocks set on 5 front and rear and they are great.
Arlan

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98. 5 ISB QC 3500 4X4 3. 54, PowerMax1, DTT TC & VB, TY303 225/70/19. 5's on Rickson Wheels, 275 Injectors, Mag-Hytec Transmission Pan/Differential Cover, 9000 LB Warn Winch, Ultra Board Running Boards, Westach Combo Boost/EGT Transmission Temperature & Fuel Pressure gauges, Pac Brake, 2-lo kit, CB, GPS, Rancho 9000's, ATS exhaust manifold, JRE 4" exhaust with muffler and resonator. Lifetime NRA Member

 

[Guest00]

I have 9000's and keep the fronts on 3 and the rears on 1 (softest for the wife ) and 5 ( stifest for towing ). 2 weeks ago I dropped the 5th and it was raining so I did not switch the rears, the wife asked what was broken cause the truck was riding so rough.

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2K, 2500, Quad, SB, 4x4, 3:54LSD, A/T, reese 15k 5th slider, EASLEY BULL BAR, WESTIN NERFS, TA's, 9000's, stealth DD2's, Bully Dog Boost & elbow, ISSPRO pyro, boost & transmission, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", DTT VB,TC,TC SAVER and AUX COOLER, PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, AFE filter onboard. Taylor Wing and Gear Vendors on order
pullee #1 26' Arctic Fox 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA-LIFE, VFW-LIFE, SoCSA-LIFE, SASS

 

[TowPro]

I am and love them. you can find then on the net for under $50. 00 each. They still feel like the day I put them on, which feels 10X better then the day I bought the truck new!

I went with Bilstein because I like the ride. All the other manafactures talk about how well there shocks handle off road. I got a 2wd and refuse to take it off the road!
(I got a KTM for Off Road)

When you install shocks, I know on my 2wd with the camper package I had to lower the PS sway bar to get the shock bolt out!

And the front was tough because the shocks are hell to keep compressed (lot of gas pressure) as you line up the mount holes.

Originally posted by 2000ney:
Anybody using Bilsteins?

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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

[This message has been edited by TowPro (edited 03-02-2001). ]

 

[John]

I purchased a set of Edelbrock IAS (high pressure monotube) gas shocks just afer they were released for sale in my application... in the late Summer of 1998. I have been very pleased with the ride, performance and quality of these shocks.

I have had extremely good luck with Bilstein gas shocks (also high pressure monotube design) on several other vehicles I have owned.

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John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps and accs. , Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s and DD TTPM, Aeroquip AQP braided s/s fuel hoses, Banks High-Ram intake manifold and 14 cm2 turbine housing w/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , DTT 93% TC, DTT custom tuned VB, BD modified trans. front pump (enhanced by DTT), Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

NRA Life (Patron) member

 

[RobbyRam]

I have Rancho 9000's, set on '1', on all four corners & my 3500 rides very comfortably... way better than my '85 RAM, but not as well as my '96 2X Ram with stock shocks. Two wheel drives just ride smoother,
no matter what brand.

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Bob in Sacramento, Y2K Black 3500 ISB 4x4 4:10 LSD,Auto,QC,SLT Laramie, Slightly BOMBED LB, Polished Stull Billet Grill & Fog inserts, Chrome Smitty-Built Step Rails, Mopar Chrome-Tipped Mud Flaps, A-Pillar mounted West-Tach Turbo/Pyro/Trans Temp gauges,Rancho 9000's set at '1',Diamond Plated Tool Box, OEM U. R. Bedliner + other stuff.
Fact:The First Fords' had 'DODGE' Engines! The new PSD's need them!