Any recommendations on shocks? I have a heavy steel flatbed on a 92 W250 that I haul hay and wood with and tow up to 7000# regularly.

Thanks!

 

woodrat, I'm needing to replace mine here soon, like yeasterday. I'm thinking I'll go with Bilstein, or the Rancho's. I'm not going to go to NAPA and get the cheep $15 replacement shocks, I did tat with my 98. Wish I'd spent the extra money and got something better. The Bilstein's are kinda expensive, around $50 a shock but I think it would help the ride, at least on the I'm on alot and off. Good luck with you choice, and let me know what and how that worked for you.

tyler

 

Tyler. You can't go wrong with Bilsteins. I put a set on 60k ago and no problems yet. First generation trucks will never ride like the newer ones so get a set of shocks that will last.

Jim

 

I would have to agree with the Bilstein recommendation.....

 

New Shocks aint gonna help a lot if you still have origional Springs. The springs are notorious for being weak. Recomend Moog Super duty should cost arround 130.00 for springs. Check and see if the control arm bumpers are around 4 inches appart less than that you need new springs.


1992 3/4 LE Banks BD brake Rebuilt Auto at 150,000 Moog springs Super duty

 

Anyone got the Bilstien part numbers for 4x first gen?

 

The part numbers are in the tech facts section, but the Moog replacement springs referred to above are for the 2WD trucks . . .

 

I recommend Bilsteins, they are worth the extra cash. They made a big difference on mine. KYB Monomax are excellent too, basically the same type shock as Bilstiens.

 

Well , I ended up getting US made HD gas shocks rated for 8000 GVW and up from my local NAPA for about 32$ each. The ones that I removed were Mopar/Cofap Brazilian and looked like they were about VW sized. Totally shot and useless. So even the cheaper NAPA shocks are a big improvement. I needed to do something soon and couldn't find a PN for Bilsteins for early dodge 4x4's. Next I need to replace my motor mounts, and the loose drag link. I had replaced that one about 20K miles ago with a NAPA part that seemed to be loose from the start and now is just as bad as the one that came out. It got plenty of grease, it was never tight in the first place.

 

My vote is for the Rancho RS9000's. The are fully adjustable and VERY nice. They won't help your ride much, if you want to improve your ride, I would suggest going with a set of Skyjacker 2.5" leveling springs. They're a dream!

 

Don't believe bilstein makes shocks for 4X4 unless recently started again. I looked everywhere about a year ago with no luck. Tell me different and I'll get a set for sure. Now where can I get those moog springs? I'm interested.

 

Wood Rat, any idea how heavy your flatbed is. I'm thinking of putting a flatbed on a 93 D250 but I'm worried about the weight. Any info would help.

 

The flatbed was made by the guy I bought the truck from. It is diamond plate, with a large "apron" or whatever you would call it in the back where the taillights and the receiver hitch live. It has sheet metal toolboxes mounted underneath all around and a pretty beefy headache bar and "backstop" up against the cab. I'll try to get some pix posted. He even had it powder coated! I carry around a big Knaack job box with several humdred pounds of gear inside, and if I remember correctly, when I last went to the dump with about 3/4 tank of fuel and the tool boxes all on and full, and me sitting in it, it weighed about 8000 pounds. I can carry 1500# of hay pretty comfortably (plus all the boxes), but if I try for 2000 or 2200# it starts getting a bit heavy.

 

I agree with the 2.5 skyjacker springs this will help the ride greatly. As for shocks I am running both Ranco RS9000's and Skyjackers both perform well for me.

Paws

 

haven't heard of the skyjackers. What are they and what do they cost? Anything that will help the ride is something worth lookng into, this thing rides like a covered wagon!