What shocks?

[hanover]

I am going to replacing my shocks soon, and need some help finding the right replacements.

From searching the forums it looks like Rancho 9000 or Bilsteins, also have a friend that thinks

KYBs are the way to go has anybody tried these?

 

[Jeff Knight]

I had Bilsteins on my 95. I liked them a lot. Much better than stock. My 02 will have them when my stock ones go south. Jeff

 

[LSMITH]

I have the Ranco 9000's, I am very happy with them. Being adjustable makes a big difference, you can adjust to load and or road conditions.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Bilsteins

 

[AKDrifter]

I just put Bilstiens on too, they are nice nice nice! A huge diff. over the OEM's.

 

[JohnE]

I have KYB Gas-a-just on my 2wd Ram and a friend has them on his 4wd Ramand they work great on both.

Another friend put them on his 92 Ford 2wd. He said it was better than before, but had hoped for much better dampening. The Ford twin I-Beam is really a shock beater and tire eater.



KYB also came out with a Mono-Max series. I don't how they compare to the Gas-a-just. KYB no longer recommends Gas-a-just for light truck.



The only downside to KYB shocks is the bodies rust faster than other brands I have used. A fresh coat of paint is really needed.

 

[pcarlson]

KYB's new Mono-Max are application designed and are for the SUV/Light trucks. It is still the mono-tube shock like the gas adjust but they are not supposed to be as hard.



I have ordered the new Gabriel Max Control Mono-Tube shock from JC Whitney. They are application designed as well and have them for the 8800lb rams. These are cheaper than the Bilsteins and Edelbrocks and KYB. Why not give US made products a try as they are high pressure mono-tube design.



Go to Gabriels website it was interesting to read that almost every single shock design, twin-tube, VST, gas adjust, air shock, etc. . was first designed by these guys. Not to mention they are the largest manufacturer of shocks. Mono-Tube Shocks are the way to go in my opinion.



KYB - I ran the gas-adjust on my Mustang and loved them.



Edelbrock - paying for a name, shock is good. Who makes them?



Bilstein - good shock. been around a long time and proven.



Rancho - ran 9000's for 2 weeks before the fronts went out. Monroe owns them



Gabriels - I will put them on this week.

 

[damon]

I like the Bilsteins in my truck a lot, much better than stock as long as you get the HD model designed for 8000lb +. I also had great results for 4 years with Rancho RS9000's, and liked the fact that they are adjustable for load. Your choice, both are much better than stock.

 

[RADdodge]

I use the Rancho 9000 shocks with the in-cab control. Even without the in-cab control, it was easy to adjust to changing loads. If you don't haul much, you probably don't need the adjustable shocks. I got the in-cab control because I wanted to change the settings on the fly (i. e. read "experiment"). The experience has made a believer out of me about the value of adjustables used to handle hauling and smooth bad road conditions. I wouldn't have thought so initially.



-Bruce

 

[San Felipe Bob]

Edelbrock!

I like mine!

And they have them in a longer length for a lifted truck.

SFB

 

[pcarlson]

Put the Gabriel Max Controlls on today and I must say that I am impressed. Firm but not harsh, and controlled.

 

[JohnE]

<blockquote>pcarlson wrote:

KYB's new Mono-Max are application designed and are for the SUV/Light trucks. It is still the mono-tube shock like the gas adjust but they are not supposed to be as hard. ...

</blockquote><hr>

Is that your opinion or first hand usage?

I've run KYB in a number of applications and the Gas-a-Just are usually on the high side of firm EXCEPT in my Dodge Ram. I would really like more dampening and the MonoMax appears to be designed for just that.



I've used Gabriel before (not in my Ram) and was NOT impresed with the quality. I hope they have improved.

 

[San Felipe Bob]

I would have Bilstein's If I didn't have the Edelbrock's.

Did you see the new external reservoir Edelbrocks?



SFB

 

[pcarlson]

Is that your opinion or first hand usage?

I've run KYB in a number of applications and the Gas-a-Just are usually on the high side of firm EXCEPT in my Dodge Ram. I would really like more dampening and the MonoMax appears to be designed for just that.





John,



That came from the KYB site about the Mono-Max's. I have ran the Gas-Adjust's and thought they were great for the Mustang but they were very hard and rough. Just try compressing them to put them on tells you how the valving is inside. I think what they are trying to do is come out with some shocks that take into account the weights of these vehicles. No one shock fits all. In the early to mid 90's I never remember the 8800lbs option for the Ram for quite a few manufacturers.



I am a fan of the Mono Tube design. I have ran Bilsteins on my old Ram and thought they did a great job, never a problem. The KYB's on the Mustang never a problem. Both Bilsteins and KYB were over 80,000 each.

 

[JohnE]

The hard to compress factor is from a 230 psi nitrogen pre-charge. I believe it is the highest of all the gas charged.

 

[KKaiser]

I agree with JohnE on Bilsteins, KYBs and Gabriels. Have had good luck in the past with both Bilsteins and KYBs, lousy performance with Gabriels. Just put a new set of Bilsteins on my Ram and what a difference! Much better than new and MILES better than my 32,000 mile old stockers. I should have changed long ago!



Kent

 

[wcjp]

I enjoy my Rancho 9000x.