Smoothest riding shocks?

[Lnwing]

The best shock for these trucks in L. A. (due to the expansion joint's) are the IAS EDLEBROCK PERFORMER SHOCK.

I'm glad there's a niche for these shocks somewhere, but you couldn't prove it by me. They're way too soft for my everyday running! I yanked them off and put Bilsteins on. Major difference!



Anyone want some slightly used IAS's?

 

[hasselbach]

You may want to hurry up and edit this NEXT part of your statement then. Cause it's WAY wrong... .









I will say that they are not 100% identical inside but they sure are similar. They both have valving "gimics" that don't work and do have to be run "shaft up"...

So I take it you have actually seen how they are put together, toured the plant, etc. .



Incorrect about running shaft up. . you can mount them shaft down too. They work fine. They are a low pressure nitrogen bag design that allows mulitiple mounting positions.



No need to edit my statement. Yeah, no surprise that Monroe shocks and Rancho shocks are similar, the same way Goodyear tires, Firestone and Toyos are all similar. . Round, black with little bumps on it.

 

[THUREN]

Incorrect about running shaft up. . you can mount them shaft down too. They work fine. They are a low pressure nitrogen bag design that allows mulitiple mounting positions.

They might work "fine" but not correct. I have personally run 4 RS9000's upside-down and all 4 had 1. 5" dead spots where the air would settle right at the piston. You could actually feel the "clunk" when the piston would hit oil.



Look, you don't need to try and justify what can be done, you said it yourself that they are low pressure. It takes 150psi minimum to remove the air bubbles from the oil and if there is less than that, there is air. If you run the shaft down the air will trap itself in the working chamber making a dead spot. Tell me how it matters where the pressure comes from. There still isn't enough...

 

[hasselbach]

They might work "fine" but not correct. I have personally run 4 RS9000's upside-down and all 4 had 1. 5" dead spots where the air would settle right at the piston. You could actually feel the "clunk" when the piston would hit oil.



Look, you don't need to try and justify what can be done, you said it yourself that they are low pressure. It takes 150psi minimum to remove the air bubbles from the oil and if there is less than that, there is air. If you run the shaft down the air will trap itself in the working chamber making a dead spot. Tell me how it matters where the pressure comes from. There still isn't enough...

Maybe they have changed their design since I purchased my 5 selector 9000's a few years ago. There are absolutely no dead spots in my units (and I checked each one as I was concerned too. The boys at Rancho said they would work fine upside down.



But I agree, a highly pressurized mono tube shock is by far the best. My only gripe was Tim's comment that they were repackaged Monroes and that Monroe owned Rancho, which are both incorrect statements.

 

[joemyers]

The best shock for these trucks in L. A. (due to the expansion joint's) are the IAS EDLEBROCK PERFORMER SHOCK. This is only if you are going to use this shock as a alone system. This is inexpensive and works better then a off the shelf bilstein shock. If you are going to spend a ton of money then go for the KORE or DRC system shock but your going to spend the money for a off road system. "like me".

I have these on my 3500 and they are a vast improvement over the OEM's. Personally, I don't think you can beat a mono double acting shock.

 

[J&LRam]

Rancho 9000 shocks for towing or running empty are hard to beat. Adjustability gives me a stock ride when empty and when towing 11000 lb 5er with 2000 lb hitch weight really stops the the bounce. Probably the best shock for HD towing on the market... ... ... ... JIM

 

[joemyers]

Maybe they have changed their design since I purchased my 5 selector 9000's a few years ago. There are absolutely no dead spots in my units (and I checked each one as I was concerned too. The boys at Rancho said they would work fine upside down.



But I agree, a highly pressurized mono tube shock is by far the best. My only gripe was Tim's comment that they were repackaged Monroes and that Monroe owned Rancho, which are both incorrect statements.

Monroe is the mfg of ranchos. rancho is just a trade name. JMTCW

 

[THUREN]

Maybe they have changed their design since I purchased my 5 selector 9000's a few years ago. There are absolutely no dead spots in my units (and I checked each one as I was concerned too. The boys at Rancho said they would work fine upside down.



But I agree, a highly pressurized mono tube shock is by far the best. My only gripe was Tim's comment that they were repackaged Monroes and that Monroe owned Rancho, which are both incorrect statements.

Totally...



It really comes down to "you get what you pay for" with shocks. The main concern with heavily sprung, heavy in the first place trucks, is to control the bounce. Without a high gas pressure you can not use the needed very high rebound valving because the shock will cavitate and fade from heat VERY quickly. Most of the shocks I valve for the rear of leaf spring trucks have an almost dead compression valving and a rebound valving WAY off the scale. It makes the truck ride as smooth as possible even with very stiff springs allthough the shocks get pretty darn hot even just going down the freeway. .



Don

 

[Tim]

I've had 6 of them on my dune buggy for the last 5 years and they work fine, and always have.

If you're running 6 shocks you're already wrong. Multiple shocks was once a bandaid for the fact that there were no good shocks on the market. Nowadays it's just an excuse for street posers to make it look like they actually use a rig, and a poor one at that.

The bilsteins I had prior would keep blowing.

I would imagine this was more due to installation than quality, but I can only speculate.

TIM, have you actually taken a Rancho apart? Have you seen one on the inside? They are not a true twin tube because they can work in any position, unlike a true twin tube. Where exactly have you gotten your wealth of information so you can make statements (incorrectly I might add) that Monroe actually makes Ranchos, and that they are repackaged Monroe shocks?

Yes I have had the shocks apart.



Yes I've seen the inside.



No, Rancho shocks will not work properly upside down.



I have never said that Rancho shocks are repackaged Monroe, nor that Monroe makes Rancho shocks. Monroe is the world's leading manufacturer of shocks, however.



Rancho shocks are garbage. They simply have an easily recognizable appearance and everyone flocked to them. I even had some Rancho springs in the past and they were stiff as hell, too. Rancho = garbage in my opinion and I wouldn't spend a dime on any of their products ever again.



Monotubes are the only way to go. I've seen Gabrial and Monroe both are trying to get into the market, but I'll stick to Bilsteins or other high-end monotube shocks and leave the Gabrials and Monroes to the cheapo parts store counter when it comes time to replace shocks.



Thanks, Don.

 

[hasselbach]

If you're running 6 shocks you're already wrong. Multiple shocks was once a bandaid for the fact that there were no good shocks on the market. Nowadays it's just an excuse for street posers to make it look like they actually use a rig, and a poor one at that.







I would imagine this was more due to installation than quality, but I can only speculate.







Yes I have had the shocks apart.



Yes I've seen the inside.



No, Rancho shocks will not work properly upside down.



I have never said that Rancho shocks are repackaged Monroe, nor that Monroe makes Rancho shocks. Monroe is the world's leading manufacturer of shocks, however.



Rancho shocks are garbage. They simply have an easily recognizable appearance and everyone flocked to them. I even had some Rancho springs in the past and they were stiff as hell, too. Rancho = garbage in my opinion and I wouldn't spend a dime on any of their products ever again.



Monotubes are the only way to go. I've seen Gabrial and Monroe both are trying to get into the market, but I'll stick to Bilsteins or other high-end monotube shocks and leave the Gabrials and Monroes to the cheapo parts store counter when it comes time to replace shocks.



Thanks, Don.

ah, they work fine for me.



I guess I'll have to sell the dune buggy now that I found out that its an inferior set up, even though it works perfect...



BTW, they work flawless upside down, no flat spots. Stop being in denial. So for all those that have good results with Rancho are dreaming? i seriously doubt you have seen the inside of a rancho shock, no wait, I know you haven't seen the inside of a Rancho shock. . :--)

 

[Tim]

There is no way they can work upside down. The oil will sit on the wrong side of the piston. Unlike monotube shocks the oil and gas isn't seperated and you cannot deny gravity, sorry buddy, but you're wrong, twin tube shocks cannot be sucessfully inverted.

 

[drandre]

So between the Edelbrock vs the Bilsteins, you changed over to the Bilsteins. What, specifically, are the major differences? What have you found to be the benefit of going with the Bilsteins? Which model Bilstein did you purchase? You have a 2nd Gen, have you tried it on a 3rd Gen?

 

[hasselbach]

There is no way they can work upside down. The oil will sit on the wrong side of the piston. Unlike monotube shocks the oil and gas isn't seperated and you cannot deny gravity, sorry buddy, but you're wrong, twin tube shocks cannot be sucessfully inverted.

Sorry Buddy, but these have nitrogen bags in them and the instructions specifically said they can be installed upside down. . Sorry to disappoint you, but this time, your wrong...

 

[ECappleman]

Can we get back on subject?

 

[THUREN]

Can we get back on subject?

Sure... IMO, the best riding shocks will be any reservoir type that can be valved "properly" to your specific application and needs. If done right by KORE, or other experienced shock techs, they can make the shocks ride as smooth as possible on the light stuff and give and awesome ride in the rough. Bilstien and other "off the shelf" high pressure gas shocks are great but I still think they don't put in enough rebound dampening for heat reasons. Just my opinion and reasoning for the "you get what you pay for" comments... .



Reservoir shocks are not jut for looks...

 

[Tim]

Reservoir shocks are not jut for looks...

Overkill for this application in my opinion. The custom valving is the only selling point for reservoir shocks for a mostly road driven vehicle. Other than that you're talking serious overkill.

 

[THUREN]

Overkill for this application in my opinion. The custom valving is the only selling point for reservoir shocks for a mostly road driven vehicle. Other than that you're talking serious overkill.

That's your opinion and thats fine, but have you actually seen how hot a properly tuned shock for a full size truck gets just going down the freeway? I don't think you have Tim. The heat from stiff rebound will overheat a non reservoir shock quicker and the cost difference between a non rezzy and a rezzy is only about $35... You've learned what you've heard about shocks Tim but don't try and act like you know the in's and out's. Go race motocross for 10 years, learn the in's and out's of suspension performance, take apart a few dozen reservoir shocks, feel the difference, and report back. Tell me it's "overkill" then...

 

[hasselbach]

That's your opinion and thats fine, but have you actually seen how hot a properly tuned shock for a full size truck gets just going down the freeway? I don't think you have Tim. The heat from stiff rebound will overheat a non reservoir shock quicker and the cost difference between a non rezzy and a rezzy is only about $35... You've learned what you've heard about shocks Tim but don't try and act like you know the in's and out's. Go race motocross for 10 years, learn the in's and out's of suspension performance, take apart a few dozen reservoir shocks, feel the difference, and report back. Tell me it's "overkill" then...

Well you could always do a dual shock set up to reduce the temps, but WE all know that's old technology crap now...

 

[ECappleman]

Seems like it is between the stock 5100s and the IAS Edelbrocks.



I was originally leaning toward the IAS, but someone earlier said they were too soft.



Opinons?



Thanks.

 

[Lnwing]

I was originally leaning toward the IAS, but someone earlier said they were too soft.

That'd be me.



If you run all highway miles, the IAS might work well for you, but based on my off-road experience with them, I wouldn't recommend them. I recall some serious bottoming out while off-road.



The Bilsteins are comfortable on the highway and will still handle all the field lanes I throw at them.



FWIW,



Lynn