truck shocks Options

[Spooner]

I've got an 01 Ranger 4x4 that's nearing 100k. I think it's definitely time for some shocks. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions.

My local guy who does my tires, alignments, etc. swears by Monroe. I see several options from that company that are relatively inexpensive. I would like a relatively smooth ride--for a truck of course--and not really something that is going to knock my kidneys out. For that reason, KYB and Bilstein seem like they're not good ideas.

Any suggestions?

While at it, how about front brake pads? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

On edit, didn't post in towing, because I don't consider this a tow vehicle. It's more of an around town/winter vehicle.

-John

This post has been edited by Spooner: Apr 24 2006, 03:21 PM

[Blainefab]

I put Bilstein HD's on my Silverado 2500 70Kmi ago - stopped the hobby horsing, smoother over bumps, not too expensive. Highly recommended.

[rmackintosh]

I put Bilstein HD's on my Silverado 2500 70Kmi ago - stopped the hobby horsing, smoother over bumps, not too expensive. Highly recommended.

Alan, you have the 2500HD like I do right? I was coming home from Laguna yesterday towing nothing, just the truck, and noticed that the thing seems rather "shockless" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) seems to bounce for days after a hard bump. My truck has ONLY 25000 miles on it. When did you replace yours?

[Sam Strano]

More assumptions..... You guys really have to quit that, truly.

First to Randy..... GM installs the most pitfuly shocks in the industry, not just on the Camaro/Firebird but on most everything. If you make it 20k miles before you start seeing tire cupping and/of general lack of damping consider yourself lucky.

Now onto John..... what makes you think that any shocks is going to be too stiff, or even too soft? Sounds to me like you are judging a book by it's cover. And even that's odd, because the Bilstein's for our cars are far from from overly stiff. And KYB's come in a lot of flavors, but yet you lump them all together. And oddly, I find the "better" KYB's to be much less desireable than the "lesser" ones.

I carry more truck shocks than I do car shocks. Koni, Bilstein, Edelbrock, Rancho, Monroe, Tokico, KYB, Gabriel, and more.

Also the cost of shocks for something like the Ranger, or even a 2500HD is so minimal when compared to the car, it doesn't pay NOT to use something good.

This is what I do, all day, most everyday of my life. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[35th_Anniversary...]

First to Randy..... GM installs the most pitfuly shocks in the industry, not just on the Camaro/Firebird but on most everything.

Do I need to count how many national events were won last year on stock GM shocks?

Anyways I like Bilstein, affordable and good shocks. When I finally feel like getting shocks for my truck that's what I'm going with.

[pknowles]

I bought some Bilstein HD's from Sam for my 2500 with HD package (a 2500HD before they called them 2500HD's) and I love them. Plus Bilsteins are great long lasting shocks.

[rmackintosh]

Sam,

I was working up to calling you on this. I just have a hard time believing that the shocks would be bad at 25000. But I hear ya on GM shocks....

Do you recommend anything for a "daily driven" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) 2500HD? I want a good "tow" shock, but I drive the thing daily.....and it is DEFINATELY not a race car... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

[Spooner]

Now onto John..... what makes you think that any shocks is going to be too stiff, or even too soft? Sounds to me like you are judging a book by it's cover. And even that's odd, because the Bilstein's for our cars are far from from overly stiff. And KYB's come in a lot of flavors, but yet you lump them all together. And oddly, I find the "better" KYB's to be much less desireable than the "lesser" ones.

You've got a point, Sam. I don't' have any data to back that up. Let me rephrase: What decent shocks can I get for around $200 for a set... The stock ones are worn the heck out. I would love to buy Bilsteins, but are there other options that are less expensive but nearly as good?

I probably should just give you a call.

FWIW, Monroe is offering rebates through the end of the month. Buy four struts get $90 "comeback certificate" to spend at the place where you purchased them. Can I get them to give me one to Stranoparts? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

-John

[35th_Anniversary...]

What decent shocks can I get for around $200 for a set...
-John

Bilsteins aren't much more than $200/set. Probably around $300/set, but you'd have to call and find out, I'm just guessing based on f-body part costs. IMHO well worth the extra cost for Bilsteins over Monroe...

[Blainefab]

I put Bilstein HD's on my Silverado 2500 70Kmi ago - stopped the hobby horsing, smoother over bumps, not too expensive. Highly recommended.

Alan, you have the 2500HD like I do right? I was coming home from Laguna yesterday towing nothing, just the truck, and noticed that the thing seems rather "shockless" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) seems to bounce for days after a hard bump. My truck has ONLY 25000 miles on it. When did you replace yours?

Mine is a 2002 2500 short cab long bed - I believe it is the last of the non-HD 2500's and is a little lighter than the HD. Mine was delivered with "heavy duty suspension $95.00" the salesman said it was better shocks, but they sucked from new. Sucked badly. No damping for big whoops, and just horrible while towing - the front end would rebound on bad bridge transitions so violently I think I was getting air. I got a load leveling hitch which made it almost tolerable towing, but still sucked unloaded. I finally got the Bilsteins at 50Kmi, and the truck felt way better than new - no more launching off whoops, it tracks better without running thru all its travel, rotates nicely with a little trail brake, and soaks up little bumps that the stock shocks did not. Ride quality is wonderful, does not feel truckish at all. Now have 127Kmi, an the Bilsteins are still fine.

[z28jeff]

I put Monroe Sensatracs on my 96 Jimmy last fall. They were around $35 a piece from Advance. At 120k miles, it had the stock Decarbons in the rear, and some cheap monroe replacements in the front from the previous owner. That said, probably any shock would have made it feel tons better than the crap that was on it. So yeah, it rides nice now, and doesn't bob-n-weave anymore. But I think I would like the ride to be a tad more firm than it is. If I had to do it over again, I would go with the Bilstein HD's. It's all a matter of personal prefrence really. If you like a softer ride, the Sensatracs are good. If you like a more firm ride, the Bilstein HD's are better.

[rmackintosh]

I put Bilstein HD's on my Silverado 2500 70Kmi ago - stopped the hobby horsing, smoother over bumps, not too expensive. Highly recommended.

Alan, you have the 2500HD like I do right? I was coming home from Laguna yesterday towing nothing, just the truck, and noticed that the thing seems rather "shockless" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) seems to bounce for days after a hard bump. My truck has ONLY 25000 miles on it. When did you replace yours?

Mine is a 2002 2500 short cab long bed - I believe it is the last of the non-HD 2500's and is a little lighter than the HD. Mine was delivered with "heavy duty suspension $95.00" the salesman said it was better shocks, but they sucked from new. Sucked badly. No damping for big whoops, and just horrible while towing - the front end would rebound on bad bridge transitions so violently I think I was getting air. I got a load leveling hitch which made it almost tolerable towing, but still sucked unloaded. I finally got the Bilsteins at 50Kmi, and the truck felt way better than new - no more launching off whoops, it tracks better without running thru all its travel, rotates nicely with a little trail brake, and soaks up little bumps that the stock shocks did not. Ride quality is wonderful, does not feel truckish at all. Now have 127Kmi, an the Bilsteins are still fine.

I see.....it seems as if you returned those shocks to GM under warranty and they installed them on my truck.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) ....OK....I will get some real shocks soon...as it is almost unbearable on a long drive w/o a load....

[CMC#5]

Excellent topic...though maybe getting a little off the original intent...

I used to have a Suburban (before my racing days) that I put in the Performer IAS shocks marketed by Edelbrock. I don't remember how they stacked up price wise, but I was pretty impressed at the time by their ability to ride softly yet still handle the big bumps and woops. Sam probably has more current info regarding how these stack up to a linear shock.

[380ss]

If budget is your thing, then go with the Monroe's. If you can stretch it out, I've always been a big fan of the IAS shocks.

[robz71lm7]

I like Bilstein HD's. The IAS's were ok at first, but I found them to be pos shocks on my other truck. It wasn't very long before they were all blown. I got the Bilsteins for my Silverado from Arlyn (Sam Jr).

[mitchntx]

I replaced stock with HDs at 60K miles.

Made a huge difference while towing

BTW ... it's '01 2500HD CC/SB. They were about $200 a set delivered, as I recall.

[rpoz-29]

I've put "Pro-Comp ES3000's on two of my trucks, an'84 F-150 4X4 short bed, and a '96 Dodge diesel 2500 long bed ext cab 4X4. They are not a high pressure gas shock, and ride better than the junk that was on them. Really smoothed the ride in the Dodge, but that little sb Ford was a lost cause. Plus, they were cheap. Got them from "4wheelparts.com"

This post has been edited by rpoz-29: Apr 26 2006, 10:22 PM

[Spooner]

Sounds like Bilsteins are the ticket for ride and longevity. They're around $270 for a set of four. Not bad, really, in the grand scheme.

I sent Arlyn (whom I have never met in person, but who has ALWAYS been super nice) an e-mail and will probably order a set from Strano.

Thanks for all the feedback, guys.

-John

[Sam Strano]

Sounds like Bilsteins are the ticket for ride and longevity. They're around $270 for a set of four. Not bad, really, in the grand scheme.

I sent Arlyn (whom I have never met in person, but who has ALWAYS been super nice) an e-mail and will probably order a set from Strano.

Thanks for all the feedback, guys.

-John

I'll save here the trouble. $256 for the set of 4, plus the shipping. I'm leaving soon for a Test and Tune, but just let her know I gave you a price. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

BTW, I think this is a wise choice. I've literally got them all, even the Pro-Comps and Edelbrocks. I have Bilstein's on my truck, always have and they will always be my first choice on a truck.

[rmackintosh]

Sounds like Bilsteins are the ticket for ride and longevity. They're around $270 for a set of four. Not bad, really, in the grand scheme.

I sent Arlyn (whom I have never met in person, but who has ALWAYS been super nice) an e-mail and will probably order a set from Strano.

Thanks for all the feedback, guys.

-John

I'll save here the trouble. $256 for the set of 4, plus the shipping. I'm leaving soon for a Test and Tune, but just let her know I gave you a price. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

BTW, I think this is a wise choice. I've literally got them all, even the Pro-Comps and Edelbrocks. I have Bilstein's on my truck, always have and they will always be my first choice on a truck.

Sam, can I hop on at that price if I give Arlyn a call today or tomorrow?

Thanks,