What shocks/steering stabilizers work good?

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I'm looking for expert opinions on what shocks, and stabilizer I should buy.
I have 61K on the factory stuff.
I drive mostly suburban type roads, empty 95% of the time. I load up occasionally with a load of fire wood, and seldom tow the 24'Chateau TT. (not as much as I'd like)
I have on order, Michelin 255/75-16 LT lr E tires.
I'm planning on an alignment when all is said and done, but I want an idea on what to tell Santa to bring. #ad

PS Dont want to bust the piggy bank, just want something priced realistically, and works.
TIA

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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock except for a "properly adjusted" AFC. Cat in the garage. Uniden HR 2510, Texas Star 1200 amp. 59,000 Mi as of 10/21/00.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.

 

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I have a Rancho on mine and it works super!!! #ad

 

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Patriot, you and I are in the same boat! I too have been shock shopping... Met with fellow TDR members just yesterday and asked thier opinions. I was all gung-ho to buy Rancho 9k adjustables, but they said the adjustment part can feeze up after a couple years and stick! They suggested Bilsteins; in stock at AutoZone, and only $50!! One fella said he'd had his Bilsteins on for 5 years, and the truck felt great to me!

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, #12 plate, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, PrimeLoc, Red Tops

 

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For what you are using the truck for I would recommend the Monroe Sensa Trac. It automaticly adjusts to how you're driving,and what kind of roads you're on. They won't beat you to death when you are driving easy,and they firm up when you're running hard. On the pavement or off they work good. They also have a lifetime warranty good at any Monroe dealer if you ever have a problem. I love my Rancho 9000's on my dually,but the cabover camper is always in the bed of the truck and I needed that kind of shock. Good Luck in your search!

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2K Dodge 3500,4x4,SLT,Quad Cab,PR4 Red,Auto Trans,354's,Posi,Trailer TowPack,3 Piece Auto Ventshade Hood Protector,"BEEFED" up Factory Camper Pack{No Airbags},Factory Fogs,Rear Slider,Rancho 9000's,Rhino Spray In Liner,Smitty Built Nerf Bars,Alpine 60x4 Watt CD Player,Lance Cabover Camper,BD Plug n Power,EGT Guage,And Enjoying The Ride.

 

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I'll second the Bilsteins. Installed them on mine the first week and I really like the way the truck rides.

Bill

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White/Agate 2001. 5 3500, 4x4, 5. 9L HO/6-speed, Quad-cab, SLT+, 4. 10LS, camper & tow groups, factory tow-hooks, Bilsteins.

 

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I'm still on my stock shocks but for a steering stabilizer I went with a Heckethorn from JC Whitney p/n 55ED5096X for $38. Works just fine.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,Driftwood,Banks&Phscotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

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I have the RS 9000s primarily becuase I tow a 15K pound 5er. Second, I like custom adjusting mine based upon load and driving conditions. I didn't go for the in-cab controller because adjust the front and rear differently.

I also heard the concern about the controllers freezing up after a few years, but I decided to take the chance.

My two sense #ad


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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns

 

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I've had RS 9000's w/in cab adjust for about 2yrs and no problems. I did create rubber gaskets that replace the cheap paper ones between the shock body and fitting for the air pressure line. Virtually no leakage now. I find myself adjusting the shock settings for different driving conditions more frequently then I anticipated. Nice feature if you do alot of different types of driving. Stabilizer is RS5000 and is good too.

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'98. 5 2500 QC ISB 4x4 SLT, Auto w/Transgo shiftkit, JRE 4" exhaust w/5"Tip, 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, trans temp, boost & EGT gauges, 2Low Kit, Brite Box, Steel Horse Billet Grilles, AirBullDog hood induction system

 

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Installed Rancho 9000's in my 3500. Differance is night and day compared with stock.
I keep mine set at "1" whether towing my trailer or not. They smooth out the Cement hwy bumps bigtime!

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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!

 

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Well next Monday, im getting new tires, Shocks etc... at Les Schwab. I was about to get the Rancho 9k and then I got to talking to the schwab guy and they want 85/shock for the rancho or 39 for there shock (mountain ryder). He assured me that it was not worth spending over twice as much for a shock that was just as good In his opinion. They have a life time guarentee so I figure I can try them and if they suck ill get new ones. I see alot of people have them so who know i guess.

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2001 QuadCab,SWB,Auto, 4X4,4" Flowmaster Exhaust, Bosch 275 Injectors, K&N... ... ... .

 

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Sky, just a thought, If you look in four wheeler mag. you can usaully find rancho 9's for about 50-60 each. of course les will sell you there shocks for less but they arent as good. i have been running 9's on all my vehicles for about 5 yrs and even when one fail on my trooper they replaced it for free. it had about 100K mi on it! the 9's giveyou the ablility to have a great handling truck on the highway with the higher setting and softer for off road. works great if you tow or load your truck. I like the control on mountain roads. Good luck!!

98. 524V,BD-ex, brake,power modual, rancho9's
gauges, lights, bushwacker fender flairs,pioneer stereo,315-75-16's on ultra spoked alloys,amsoiled all around.

 

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Anyone ever try the KYB shocks? I had them on the old Grand National and they were good?
Should I get the 8800+ GVW rated ones? Not sure on the KYB's, but many other brands seem to have these? Would they give a stiffer ride?

 

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I use Sensatracs from NAPA (lifetime warranty) and they will shortly be getting 3 of 4 back ... leaking (after 2 yrs of NY/NJ roads). NAPA stabilizer went 3K miles & left me in bad shape with the shakes on Route 36. Went back to OEM & no trouble. Also use the helper that is recommended in the TSB for 3500 series & carry a spare. It really p$$$ES me off to have a top speed of 30.

Andy Raiha

96/2500/4x4/4. 10/5sp/ext cab

 

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kyb's good, they were there in the early days of gas shocks... ... .
look out for steering stabilizers, there are no direct replacements for the stock one, at least not rancho
skyjacker has on i am waiting on it, its a dual, my frontend man says even w/o big tires, you pull trailers so the duals will help

B... ... ... .

 

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Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm going to leave a list, and hope for the best.
BTW I said I had 255 75 16's on order. I made a mistake, theyre 265's. They'll be 3-6 weeks..... sheesh.

 

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So has anyone here had both the Bilstein's and the 9000's that can comment on which of those two is better and why?

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'97 Ram,automatic,3. 54 limited-slip, 4x4,smoothie,BD fuel plate,Prime-Loc.