What shocks to buy?

[MrMatt]

Hello everyone,

I am getting ready to start modifying my x to be a little more 'off-road worthy' and I think I am going to start with shocks, My Future plans are:

31" or 32" Tires w/ Chrome Wheels
Shackles and Spacers or Lift Springs for lift.

What I was wondering is what shocks I should buy? I was thinking about either the Rancho RSX's for $150 or the Rancho RS5000's for $147. The RS9000s are a little out of my budget for now.

Also is it possible for me to order the shocks for like a 1.5 or 2" lift application and use them for a month or so before I install the actual lift?

Thanks for all your help guys and if you have any other reccomendations for shocks under $180 for all 4 shipped that would be great.

Thanks

-Matt

 

[Alec]

Stock length Gabriel VST shocks are great and cost $15-20/shock. Autozone and Pepboys both carry them, as well as many other retailers. If you're going with 2" or less, they'll work just fine. Good luck!

 

[MrMatt]

How would everyone rate the Gabriel VST Shocks VS. Either of the two Rancho models I listed? (RS5000 and RSX)???

If the ranchos are truly a better shock I would just assume spend the $150 up front than end up having to replace these. If they are pretty good then I might see if my local Pep Boys carries them. Would be nice to buy them localy so I could get them in faster.

How hard would a shock install be? Any special tools or procedures I have to take to do the install? The rears look pretty easy, the fronts look like they could be tricky. How much would you say pepboys would charge to remove all 4 shocks and put 4 new ones in?

Also whats involved with:

A) Replacing the Front coils with like 2" lift springs
B) Putting in the F150 Coil Spacers

Thanks for the help guys.

-Matt

 

[ahhjaws]

I don't know about the lift application, but I have RS5000, and they work good. I have had them awhile, but I think it's time for me to replace them. I got mine for $25 each, so you might want to shop around instead of paying $150.

 

[88vert]

I would go with the rs5000's I have trailmasters and they suck Where are you buying them at

 

[MrMatt]

Thanks for the info guys,

Desert Rat has 4 Rancho RS5000 or RSX shocks for $150 shipped.

What would you guys reccomend the RS5000 or the RSX shocks? a majority of my driving is on-road but I do like to go offroad on some descent trails once in a while.

Anybody know someplace to get the RS5000s cheaper than $150 shipped for all 4??

Thanks for the info.

-Matt

 

[88vert]

Is that a 4 inch suspension lift shocks?

 

[MrMatt]

Nope

Hey,

No the shocks are for a 0 - 1.5" lift application. I think they do make shocks for a larger lift but I could be wrong.

So you would go with the RS5000s over the RSX shocks then? Anything special I should know to install them? Like special steps I should take? I already know I need to remove the spare tire in the rear to get to the top mount of the rear shocks.

Thanks for the info.

-Matt

 

[88vert]

They are both excellent shocks I had the 5000's on a cj7 I had some time ago and they perform very well.They take a good beating