hi all,
I'm wanting to put new shocks on my truck and was wanting some opinions on what to buy. Name brand, air shocks, gas shocks, etc. I have a 97 2500 4x4 ext. cab long bed. Thanks for the help and information.

 

I say go with Bilstein! the best w a great price. I have 4 ranchos now and they make a huge difference between original shocks, but I'll put a set of Bilsten as soon as possible.
around 50 each (rancho RS5000)

also: RS9000XL they cost twice

rob

 

bilstein 5100's are the way 2 go. rides alot smoother than any other brand ive used

 

I have had 2 trucks with the Edelbrock IAS shocks and I really think they are the best out there in that price range

 

Bilstein is the best mod you can make. Huge diffrrence in ride.

 

So where's the best place to buy Bilstein?

 

Guys, I don't know what my problem is but I have a kidney killer ride here in Las Vegas. I figured it was my 240K mile stock shocks so I bit the bullet an picked up a new set of Bilstein 5100's. My ride barely improved. Not worth the money in my opinion, I think new stock shocks would have improved the ride as marginally as the bilsteins did. I haven't complained till now cause I thought they just needed to break in a little but two months later, they still are not impressing me.

They are quite a bit better when you hit big dips or speed bumps, just not that great at the little kidney killer bumps on the airport connector ramp.

 

I've had four dodges now, my first 01 rode alot worst than the 02 I drive now. The first one didn't have overload springs on it so I'm guessing the spring pack was heavier causing the terrible ride. I ussually keep a full 100 gallon bed tank full of fuel in the 02 which helps the ride some.

 

Big Blue, how many 70-lbs bags of sand are in your bed?.. It takes 8 to smooth out the ride of my truck, and there is no difference in fuel mileage.

 

My bed is empty, but the other day I hauled 4 wheels and tires from a 08' dmax at about 320 lbs and it really helped out the ride. Since I moved here to Vegas from the snow in the Utah, I've neglected to add my 400 lbs of sand, good idea Paul Daisy!

 

The thought here is we're driving 3/4 & 1-ton trucks, not a cadillac or 1/2ton. When combined w/good tires, new shocks and all is in alignment the ride can be pleasant. I noticed a big change after installing Bilstein...even w/the crappy Goodyear MTRs and then installed the BFGs, wow an even bigger improvement. I have a Lifetime alignment agreement on the truck so that's taken care of every 6mo. Overall, these trucks are like tanks flying down the hwy @ 60+ mph, one cannot expect a cadillac ride but you can get close.