Tires and shocks

[Easy]

I have been reading a lot of your comments about the RS9000 shocks being the best, but most of your applications have been on 4x4's. I have a 97' 3500 Dually 12v 2x4 basicly stock except slightly turned up. Are these shocks still the best choice for my 2x4 application? Also I currently have 215/85-16 tires on and want to go to the Michelin LTX 235/85-16. My question is can the speedo be corrected for the change in tire height easly. And how is it done, (ie, electronically or mechanically) and who can do it?

 

[QRTRHRS]

Rick,



I went from 235's down to 215's on my truck. Wanted to see how the handling would be affected in the winter. Speedometer change was minimal. You should be okay but with heavy loads, some 235's will rub. Think someone once posted to stay under 9. 4" cross section width.



PS, When these tires go, I am going back to 235's.

 

[Steve G]

Easy,

I just put RS9000s on mine and I can tell a difference. The big bumps are still there, but the overall ride has improved greatly. I have mine set to 3-front and 1- rear unloaded. I might try 2 in front also. I have the 235-85-16s on. The real test will be when the wife rides in it.



Steve

 

[TowPro]

ah, somebody else with a 2wd!



I went with Bilsteins ($49. 95 each through some website I can't remember). After 40K miles, I still love them.



Then changed to Cooper Super Road Master tires. (same size as stock) a little more then $100. 00 each, with a 60K mile tread wear warrantee in load range E. After 40K miles, 1/2 the tread is still left and I would buy them again.



Sorry I can't help you with your tire size compairson, but as the other guy said, just make sure the rear tires don't rub each other, that would distroy them.

 

[FATCAT]

Easy,

I have a 2500 but would assume that the front ends would be similar ... I have Rancho 9000's on my truck as of Feb of this year. The rear shocks are fine, especially when I am towing my trailer and I can set the stiffness a little higher then normal. The front shocks are a different story. If I had to do it all over again, I would NEVER put the 9000's on my front end. Since day one of the shocks on my front end I have had a nasty rattle/crunching noise in the passenger front area. I have tightened the bolts, replaces some front end parts and nothing seems to work. Also, I normally have the fronts set at #3 which is stiffer than the original OEM shocks and #2 is too soft and makes the noise in my front end even worse. I know I'm probably the only person on this site to say this, but my OEM shocks which lasted the first 101,000 miles were superior to the Rancho's by far. I'll most likely be switching to a set of Monroes after these wear out ... no more Ranchos for me. My . 02.

 

[pcorssmit]

The speedo change is easy, you can change the drive gear on the speed sensor, just like on the old cable driven speedos. Mine was $12 from dealer. Not sure what effect this will have on an electronic auto trans, 5 spd is no prob.



Pete

 

[JohnE]

I have a '97 2x4. (No training wheels for me. ) I changed out my factory shock at 52k due to steering slop and vibration from Wrangler RT/S tires. The tires were out of round and run out of balance by the previous owner.



I went with <a href=http://www.kyb.com/shocks2.html target=_blank>KYB</a> Gas-a-Just. I'm mostly happy with them. If the truck is loaded, even my heavy topper, they are great. Loaded down to around 8,500 lb they are fantastic. Empty, they porpoise down the highway. I wanted to go with the MonoMax, but they were not available last year in time for my need.



A friend with a '94 Ford 2wd also went with KYB. He too wants more. Bilstein will probably be his next choice.



The only drawback with KYB is the external rust from winter wear & tear.



Cheers;



-John

 

[TowPro]

In 1998 they switched from using the drive gear on the transmission to the pickup on the rear ring gear (which used to be used for just ABS) for running the spedo.

Originally posted by pcorssmit

The speedo change is easy, you can change the drive gear on the speed sensor, just like on the old cable driven speedos. Mine was $12 from dealer. Not sure what effect this will have on an electronic auto trans, 5 spd is no prob.



Pete

 

[paccool]

I know the 93's are a little different but I had Bilsteins on mine and took them off and put Monroe gas matics on. Made the ride a little less "harsh". Did'nt seem to feel the bumps quite as bad.

 

[SteveH]

I looked at some KYB's today for my 1 ton and the place wanted $300 for all 4 (installed). They also sell Monroe and Rancho and said that they are both made in the same place, that Monroe makes both of them. Anybody know where to get the KYB's the cheapest?

Steve H

 

[JohnE]

I've ordered from <a href=http://www.shockwarehouse.com/ target=_blank>shockwarehouse</a> and from <a href=http://www.shox.com/ target=_blank>shox</a>.



I couldn't find their bookmarks and a quick search in hotbot under <em> KYB shocks struts</em> produced many listings. Check them out for products and prices.



cheers

John