My 01.5 now has 105,000 miles on it. I didn't notice the shocks were worn out too bad until riding in a friends Cummins Ram who had recently replaced stock shocks to a heavy duty Monroe. His ride and handling seemed very good.

An inexpensive option would be great, however, I am considering more expensive choices too. I've looked at what Kore offers as well as Thuren's alternative which I consider both on the high side (even though Thuren's is less expensive). The set up my truck now matches my goose neck trailer (10-12,000 lbs) so altering the suspension too much is a negative. I've had Rancho's on an old Bronco in the past and thought they rode too rough although I know they have an adjustble version that makes me think it might be a good option. I'm aware of Bilstiens racing heritage however I'm not sure how much altering of my truck (shock towers?) would be necessary.

Anyway, please throw out what has worked for you or what you've been disappointed in. Good value or great product despite the money.

My truck is a 2500 with air bags in the back. I have a 2" leveling kit on the front.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks, Matt

 

I had Rancho 9000's on my PSD. I have Rancho 5000's on my CTD.

The 9000's were great shocks once dialed in for the load.
However, I found I never bothered to crawl under there again to firm them up when I was weighted etc.
So for me the adjustability was an added expense I never took advantage of. Think about it- how often are you going to crawl under your truck to adjust FOUR shocks?
So I have the 5000's on my CTD and am happy with them. And I never have to think to myself "boy, I ought to adjust those shocks"

I'm liberated... (great shocks BTW)

Big Jimmy

 

I've got the Bilstein 5100's and find them pretty stiff when unloaded.

I had the Bilstein OEM replacements before these and they were excellent for cruising around town.

 

I'm completly happy with the Bilstiens I just put on both of our trucks. They are the 5100's. on the 99 they made a huge diff on road. The old ones where totally trashed. One would not return at all on its own. Another I could collapse with my index fingers.

The 97 made a small change on road but the monroes where not that bad (or that good). It made a tremendous improvment off road. We made a 90 mile off road trip (light to medium-heavy washborad) and it would have shaken our teeth out before but didn't even spill my green tea in the cup holder (which is something with the 97 cup holders).

I bought both from EBAY for $450 to me. Had one set in three days and the other the next week.

Randy

 

Another vote for the Rancho 9000 adjustables. I love them. Leave them at 100% front, and about 50% rear most of the time. I bump the rear up with a load. These shocks could be crap for all I know, but I do know the difference between these and the stockers @ 100k was night and day.

Tiger Rag, do you have an 2 or 4wd truck? If 2wd, I'm interested in what you have for a leveling kit.

 

I just put a set of Bilstein 5100s on with the SJ 2.5" coils and love them.
I have had on my two 98s
stock/ Rancho RS5000/Monroe gas magnums/ Bilstein 5100
With out doubt the ones I prefer the most have been the Bilsteins

 

Same here I have SJ with Bilsteins up front and just bought a pair 5100 for the rear, I'm happy with the ride so far

 

You can get a remote control unit with a mini compressor and lines for the 9000 series shocks for pretty cheap money.

 

It's 4wd. It's a spring rubber kit.

Sounds like the Bilstien OEM replacement shocks are a good option. I found them on eBay for $240 for the set shipped.

Anyone know what the Rancho 9000's run for a set? I like the idea of the adjustability.

 

My vote is for the Bilstein 5100s.

 

Good Morning Boyz..

I've had them all on my 2nd Gen truck.

Bilstein's were OUTSTANDING in the end. The others simply could not withstand a single trip down the washboard and off road conditions of Baja. After a 1000 miles in the dirt or so the others were toast. But as we all know, not everyone is going down the Baja and not everyone needs the best.

However, as of late...Fox Shox is now manufacturing OEM replacement shocks for Chevy, Ford & Dodge. And Fox Shox has held up very well in the abuse that I've hammered them with.

DB

 

DB, did you have the 5100 Bilstien's or the OEM replacements? Sounds like from your desription I'd guess the 5100's.

What do you have to replace to run the 5100's? Springs only?

 

5100's are the oem replacement. 5150 have the external resiovor. They come in multiple colors. Aluminum and yellow/blue. I think I saw some that where black but it was a special deal through a company.

Randy

 

My vote: Bilstein 5100's. The Ranchos 9000 are not a bad shock, I had them on my dually.

I like the 5100's a lot more

Tom

 

You should look into a dual shock bracket for the front. (pic in my gallery) When I added it to my truck it made a huge difference in ride and handeling. You can put most any shock you want in it, I've got Tuff Country's S6000, I don't know if you can get them out there but here's their site to check out

http://tuffcountry.com/suspension_dodge9401.html

I didn't buy the bracket from them, saved $20.00 buying them on ebay and then just got their shocks but the Bilsteins are good and they should have one to mount in the bracket. I've only got around 25k on them now but they still ride like new. You'll love the ride of duals though