how bad are the Gabriel Red Ryder shocks?

[MattPersman]

at Autozone there are 3 affordable choices


Red Ryder Gas shocks, $13 each
Sport Ryder, $18 each
and Gas Ryder LT, $24 each

I have alot of bouncing, uncontrollable sometimes on big pot holes and such, tons of brake drive and it I hit the gas at say 1 mph the front end lifts like a drag racing car with 90/10s up front. so I am guessing I need to replace the old looking sensatracs on the truck.

how bad are the Red Ryders? I could not find anything on this site about them. Sport ryder same really. no idea if the sport ryder are VST. for 5 bucks more I would do it for those. The Gas Ryder LT are a popular choice but seems like a lot of feedback saying they do not last very long. I would think even the cheapest shock should last 20k miles like a stocker would and has to be better than the ones on the truck now.

any feedback or help would be appreciated.

 

[Alec]

If they have VST they'll be good.

 

[X~FACTOR]

I read an article at one time in one of those car magazines that when it comes to shocks you get what you pay for. Even if you do not believe this that $13 shock cannot be that good. IMO the cheapest best tire you could get is Gabriel VST at $25.

 

[MattPersman]

ok I forked over the $24 each for the Gas Ryder LT with VST shocks. I will put them on today and I have about 500 miles to drive this weekend so I will have some kinda impression to post Sunday afternoon/night on this same thread.

By the way I was under my truck yesterday and pulled with 1 arm on the front sway bar and the shocks were compressing and making a airy sound. seem pretty damn weak and destroyed to me. I just rode in a brand new Honda Pilot of my buddies so I know what a new shock on a truck should feel like for the most part with a short wheelbase like my Sport.

 

[etc]

I replaced my stockers about a few months ago with the Gabriels Gas Ryder LT w/VST. Seems pretty good for what I paid 100-110 for all four. Although the rear shocks seem to be a little too stiff for my taste.

 

[MattPersman]

put em on in like 2.5 hours. front took minutes, rear were death. damn bolts were like the tightest bolts ever in the rear. they both broke obviously once I could even move them. I think I need to step up to the 1000 ft/lb TQ 3/4" impact wrench

first impressions are very good, will have more to say sunday after about 500 miles on them

 

[MattPersman]

ok got a bit more than 500 miles on them now and I must say its a night and day difference over my overdue Sensatracs I took off. The new ones are a bit stiff at times but I am not certain that you would want them any softer 99% of the time. They eliminated 90% of the front end shake at 65 mph common with the first gens on my truck, I think whatever is left is just tire related or alignment related.

thumbs up on them. hopefully they will last many miles. There is a Limited lifetime warranty on them so obviously I will try to get them replaced free when I can.