Morning, I currently am running the Rancho 5000's, and have almost 70000 on them, am looking to replace all four soon, any recommendations on a heavier duty shock than the rancho. They have done alright, but I think I need a heavier shock. Any suggestions?

Stephen

 

I need the same information. I still have factory shocks at 92,500 miles and the trucks handles poorly

 

If you want heavy duty that is the bilstein's. If you use your truck for hauling they are the greatest, but if it is just an around town driver you will hate these things. They are stiff. I have way overloaded my truck in the past and never seen more than a couple inches of travel. When your putting them on you can't budge the piston by hand. I have over 60,000 on em now and still like new.

 

add me to the collection. I have 149000 on stock shocks

 

I put the Bilsteins on a year ago. I think they provide a better ride in all situations. I think the stocks were low budget.
There are quit a few fans of the Rancho 9000's, which, I beleieve is an HD conventional shock, while the Bilstein is gas. Got the Bilsteins for about $60 each, money well spent!

 

Another vote for Bilsteins. I read everything. Every thread I could find on shock replacement. I easily decided on the Bilsteins. I am very happy with them. I have towed my boat 6-8 times, road highway traffic for 10K miles. I would highly reccommend them. The ride is firm BUT not punishing at all. The truck kinda has a tad stiffer feel than factory's with 60K on them.

Rancho's don't hold up--(5000's) from what I read.
Edelbrocks--far too stiff, again from what people have said.
KYB's--far too stiff.

Bilsteins report...
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/cgi-bi...bst_truck.html
Good luck on your decision.

Tom

 

Yup, I'll chime in. Bilsteins.....love em. Ive had them for about 8 months. IMO they drasticly improved the quality of the ride.

 

I'm running Dual "Tuff Country S6000" and I'm really happy with those. I had put on some Heavy Duty Monroes after the stocks wore out. They were a "Gas" charged shock and I thought the ride, while a mass improvement over stock, was a little bouncy. The Tuff Country 6000's are a Hydro Shock and give resistance both ways and what a difference that made , Can't go wrong with Bilsteins though, they are a good shock as well. Not a big fan of the Gas charged though! Just my $.02

 

Wow,this is the first time I've ever been part of the in crowd. I like it.

 

Here is a vote for the Edelbrocks. I use the truck mostly for daily driving but tow a 26' toy hauler occasionally. It sees occasional windy country roads with a mix of city and highway driving. I love these shocks. The ride is very compliant but can conform to a variety of terrain. I have driven the truck in Baja chasing for the Baja 1000 and it performed flawlessly over a wide range of terrain. I have had Rancho 5000's and 9000's, and the Edelbrocks are a much better ride than either of those two. I have used Bilsteins in the past of several different varieties (including their highest end off road shock) and have no problem recommending anything they make either. I got the Edelbrock's for almost free, otherwise I would have spent my money on Bilsteins. Having said that, I would easily spend the money on Edelbrocks again.

 

I have the Edelbrock IAS shocks on my 97 and like them. They are NOT stiff even though they are a gas shock. The ride is actually pretty "cushey" on most hi-way pavement conditions but they do stiffen-up some when you go through a curve or corner to help keep the vehicle from rolling too much to the side. They also seem to have pretty good rebound and control when you drive through pot holes too. I've used them for about 3 years with many various conditions - towing an 18 fr car hauler loaded heavy and with a fairly good load in the bed, driven empty (no load or trailer) on hi-ways and dirt/gravel roads and in just about all conditions they have performed nicely. I rode in a guys 99 2500 CDT equipped with Bilsteins right after I bought my 97 in 03 and to me, running empty on city streets, it seemed to ride a little stiff for my tastes. Like have been said lots of times before, each to his or her own taste. For me, I'd buy them again. That's my 2 cents worth (perhaps less considering inflation ).

Steve