Recommendations for Shocks?

[Curse The Sky]

My new tires are coming in today, and as soon as I get my next pay check, it'll be time for the next project - shocks.

What do you guys recommend? I'm planning to do both front and rear, and I'd like to get better handling if possible, though I don't want to break the bank.

I've heard a lot of praise for Ranchos, but their premium R9000XL series go for almost $90 each on Rock Auto. Their cheaper RS5000 series are only $50 each, which seems far more reasonable, but will they be any better than stock?

Any other recommendations? I could just grab something like KYB Gas-A-Just or something. My truck is bone stock right now, and I don't have any current plans for lifting it.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I ran the rancho 9000XL's withe the MyRide Wireless Remote System and they are awesome (I have the rears and the MyRide System for sale cheap in the for sell section), fronts are gone though.

I'm currently running Monroe Sensitrac's and they work great for my lifted Trac (stock length shocks). Anything is better then the stock shocks on our trucks.

If you haven't already looked into it, replace the front and rear swaybar endlinks, this wil be a total 180* turn around in ride and handling, use Moog Problem Solver's. great investment.

 

[Clusterpup]

I have the rancho 5000's and I like them.

 

[Happy Jack]

I ran Rancho's for years then tried Superlift. Much better ride. The Duff's are very good also. I have them on my 1st gen. Skyjacker are good riding but as with the other stuff I have of there's, they look really bad in a short time. Must not like at all what the city puts on the road in the winter where I live. Superlift were under $40 a peice last I checked. I have Bilsteins on a new truck I bought but not real happy with the ride. Not sure it's the shocks though.

Those are the only after market shocks I have owned and would recomend the Duff's if you have the money. The Superlift if you don't. And the Skyjacker before I'd spend money on Rancho. But not by a lot unless Skyjacker has improved the finish on the stuff they sell.

 

[LONO100]

ranchos are a great cheap alternative i think. i run them and they are great in light to moderate off road driving. i always hear great stuff about monroe sensatracs. replacing the stock shocks will make your ride feel a whole world better. the whole feel of driving a boat go away.

 

[interscope8]

Ive been afraid to ask, but ever since I've had my trac it's had Edelbrock front shocks... are those stock?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Nope, their aftermarket. The stock shocks are garbage as soon as their made.

 

[OffTrac]

I've only had the stock shocks and RS5000s on my Sport Trac. Obviously the stock ones are garbage. I like the Ranchos a lot. The KYB shocks I put on my wife's Z71 Tahoe are really good, too.

This is one of those questions like asking what tires are best for the money. Everyone says the tires they have are the greatest because they want to justify that they haven't wasted money.

 

[Curse The Sky]

Bought some Monroe Sensa-Tracs today for $43 each. The price wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible either considering I walked in and walked back out with them - no waiting for shipping, etc.

Now that'll be the weekend project. I have someone that's going to do a nice undercoating job for me - would you guys do that first, or just go ahead and install the shocks and do it after?

 

[awk08]

i just grabbed all 4 bilsteins for $275 + free shipping, from shockwarehouse.com
best price i could find on them, just came in today, havent installed yet, but all my research points toward the single tube being far superior to twin tubes ???
and they came with all 4 rubber boots, something my buddy had to order seperate when he ordered rancho's from rock auto ????

 

[MidnightRebel07]

The rubber boots came with my Rancho 9000XL's. Where you from in Pa? I'm in Pittsburgh.

 

[awk08]

The rubber boots came with my Rancho 9000XL's. Where you from in Pa? I'm in Pittsburgh.

johnstown here, right down rt.22

 

[swshawaii]

Attn: "Curse The Sky" or anyone who purchased Monroe shocks.
Mail in rebate 9/1/11 through 10/31/11

http://www.monroe.com/images/promotions/english/M-What-Shocks-You-Rebate-Bk_US-FOR-WEB.jpg

 

[Curse The Sky]

Attn: "Curse The Sky" or anyone who purchased Monroe shocks.
Mail in rebate 9/1/11 through 10/31/11

http://www.monroe.com/images/promotions/english/M-What-Shocks-You-Rebate-Bk_US-FOR-WEB.jpg

Wow, thanks! Really appreciate it.

 

[JohnnyO]

FYI, the NAPA store brand shocks are really Monroe Sensa Tracs, just painted blue and half the price.

 

[interscope8]

I just put my ranchos on today and just got back from some light off roading... just driving in the woods and a cow field. They made the ride a lot more enjoyable! I wasnt hitting my head on the ceiling like with the stock ones...