Well after listening to others so happy with their new shocks and how the stock ones are so crappy I felt like maybe I needed to invest in some. My truck sometimes felt like it bounced in the front more than it should have and I was especially looking to fix that. I couldnt find anyone selling Bilstein's local and I didnt want to order them but I did find someone selling KYB Monomax's. I have been told they are really good and that they use the same exact design as the Bilsteins so I thought I'd give them a try. The price wasnt to bad either. A little cheaper than the Bilsteins and red in color too. I got the ones that are for 8400 lbs or heavier GVWR.

Trying to change the front shocks by no means was easy. (well easy now since I know what to expect) The drivers side was a pain with all the stuff in the way but the back ones were quick and simple. I cut the compression strap, realizing to late, and had a heck of a time getting them in place. Maybe it was just me but I felt that to amount of pressure it took to compress one of these KYB's was huge. I guessed around 130 pounds to slowly push one down. Though the stock needed around 70-80 pounds. The stock ones felt good too. Not to bad for 35,000 miles. Not sure how much they would fade after a bumpy road though.

Well after installing them and going for a ride I cant say that I'm thrilled. But I can say BONE JARRING!!! I'm not sure I didnt like the stock ones better. Maybe it will take some getting used to but MAN it really rides stiff. Not sure if I'm going to try and lower the tire pressure or what. I dont know. Maybe I will give them a week or two and if I cant stand it anymore I might have to put the stock ones back on. Has anyone experienced the same thing or feel with new shocks before. And before anyone say it, I realize its a truck.

 

No you were right on, they will ride rougher. Maybe that the ones for the lesser gvw's are in fact better. Everyone figures out that cutting the strap is a bad ideal, just they figure it out after the fact. I have run the KYB's before, just not on a dodge, they were a good shock. Hope yours fits the bill, and the ride is ok with you.

 

compreshion strap ??? my shocke did not have this strap :- Now I'm worried.
DM01

 

y-knot, what did you like about your KYB's? Do you think you will get some for you Dodge? Maybe your right about the GVWR being to much. Maybe I should have got the heavier ones for the front and the softer ones for the back? Wonder if anyone has gone that route?

 

[quote author=dodgeman01 link=board=7;threadid=21268;start=0#msg199708 date=1066835433]
compreshion strap ??? my shocke did not have this strap :- Now I'm worried.
DM01
[/quote]

The compression strap is just what they put on the shock to ship it. It holds the rod in a compressed position (smaller packaging). You cut the strap to install it.

 

[quote author=hotdram link=board=7;threadid=21268;start=0#msg199729 date=1066838047]
[quote author=dodgeman01 link=board=7;threadid=21268;start=0#msg199708 date=1066835433]
compreshion strap ??? my shocke did not have this strap :- Now I'm worried.
DM01
[/quote]

The compression strap is just what they put on the shock to ship it. It holds the rod in a compressed position (smaller packaging). You cut the strap to install it.


[/quote]
I just did it last year so I think I would remember a srtap :- well I hope so anyway but I swear I don't remember them haveing a strap on them. I took the out of the box at the place I bought them just to take a look at em and don't remember a strap
DM01

 

I just put Bilstein 5100s on the rear of my truck last night. Ride is MUCH better. I am waiting on ORW to get me my other front shock to do the front.

The ride with the Bilsteins is a little stiffer, but also smoother and less harsh. It feels more controlled-- kinda like how a Mercedes feels when you drive it. It's weird how it can seems both stiffer and better riding at the same time. There's no doubt the Bilsteins are FAR FAR better than the OEM shocks.

My OEM shocks were horrible, and they only had 20K miles on them!

Justin

 

Dman01, mine didn't come with a strap either. I didn't install mine though. I let somebody else do that.

I got Explorer Pro Comp's (don't know what rating, ask TxRedneck bout that) and they ride a LOT better than stock. Much smoother ride. Better handling (and I'm all for handling). No bone jarring. You feel the truck go down, but you don't feel it come back up.

 

[quote author=BigBlue link=board=7;threadid=21268;start=0#msg199788 date=1066844494]
Dman01, mine didn't come with a strap either. I didn't install mine though. I let somebody else do that.

I got Explorer Pro Comp's (don't know what rating, ask TxRedneck bout that) and they ride a LOT better than stock. Much smoother ride. Better handling (and I'm all for handling). No bone jarring. You feel the truck go down, but you don't feel it come back up.
[/quote]
I got the trailmaster pro comp shocks and I like the way they rid but I wish they were a lil stiffer. One good thing is when hitting reallt ruff roads they stiffen up a lot and really help control the truck.
DM01

 

I did like the KYB's, but they were not on a dodge truck, so I can't compare. The compression strap is used on "gas charged shocks", it holds the shock in a compessed state. This makes installation easier, and packaging smaller. I have been thru meany options with shocks. I first ran RANCH RS5000'S front and rear. I liked the ride, but after 8-10K miles the fronts were leaking while the back two were not. I replaced the two fronts with BILSTEIN oem shocks, they held-up but produced a much harder ride, harsher then I am expected. So now I took a different route, I am in the process of re-doing the suspention on both ends. I removed the front and rear shocks, tossed them and I'm going with more of a race shock, with valving to my specs. On the front and am installing a FAB-TECH double shock mount, and BILSTEIN 5150 resevoir shocks, valved at 180/70. Also I am trying to secure longer trailing arms, and poly bushings. In the rear I have removed the overload springs, installer airlifts super duty air bags, BFG velvet ride shackles, poly bushings and BILSTEIN 5150 resevoir shocks with 360/70 valving. My goal is a smoother ride, with more travel, I would go higher on the lift, but I am as high as I can go and still pull my gooseneck. Also to help with the stated goals, I purchased centramatic wheel balancers, and ALCOA hot shot wheel to reduce un-sprung weight.

 

were can i get instructions on how to change front shocks on my dodge in the front, never changed a shock before, and were to buy new ones at. thanks i just put the lukes link on and a new tie rod driver sde, ready to put new tires an get an aligment.

 

any clue on a shock called re flex, i think they are made by monro, they say they are for heavy duty trucks as all of ours, any remarks, was told my a shop mech.

 

I have Reflex shocks by Monroe on my 3500. Ride is much better than the stockers.
Lifetime free replacement warranty with free install and were half the price of Bilsteins or Ranchos.

 

Rancho 9000 and adjust the ride where you want it. Mine have 140,000 or more and are doing good still.

 

I just put my new Ranch 9000s on my Ram today. Wow what a difference, no more jarring, bouncing or rough ride. I have them set on the middle setting 5, I will play with them later to fine tune them. Allthough it isn't going to be near as enjoyable taking the wife for a ride any more. I wish I had replace my tired old Gabrials a long time ago.