Which shocks should i go with? Need help

[Dweeberman]

I managed to locate that thread after I sent that of course the polls show in favor of the boot but the comments go for no boot lol..so confusing. Being that they are the front shock's, I don't see too many rocks kicking up and smacking the piston rod..though i could be wrong, but I see it more so of the rear shocks needing the boots. I think i may follow your lead on that and not put them on. Though I will keep the boots handy just in case, though it may be too late once i find out i need them lol. here in cali, i see many trailer queens and many DD's without the boots, very rarely i have seen the boots on here. But my upcoming move to Montana is what's making me wonder if i should put them on...grr...well they go on tomorrow so i will make a last minute decision but am leaning towards no boot now

 

[dersch6221992]

montana? nice... if they use salt on their roads id go no boots for sure... thats my main reason for going no boots. and the monroe sensa tracs i ordered for the back have no boots cause of the coil

 

[Dweeberman]

Exactly...i will speak with my grandpa to see if they use salt on the roads for confirmation.

Also to give an update on the Monroe's...they are still impressing me. Much better handling just with new rear shocks...not bouncy, yet not that stiff. Great rebound over bumps on the road. I feel more comfortable driving, though i was before, these have just made me realize what I had been missing from what i was used to. Comfort is everything on a 1.5hr commute for work through city and freeway driving (round trip that is).

 

[OffTrac]

I don't have any thoughts on the necessity of the boots but I can tell you they are a pain to put on. I have to clean my suspension better today after work. I'll see if the boots are collecting any contaminants.

 

[Dweeberman]

I don't have any thoughts on the necessity of the boots but I can tell you they are a pain to put on. I have to clean my suspension better today after work. I'll see if the boots are collecting any contaminants.

Luckily the front boots are very easy to install. The have 2 slits on the bottom and it just pulls over nice and easy (already put them to see how the look lol). But if you do check them out today, i would love to know how much (if any) grime/dust/mud/nastiness are in the boots. I run into more dust than anything, but i do have a tendency to hit mud puddles when i "dont" see them

 

[OffTrac]

I have a half mile driveway. The first half is gravel, the rest is packed dirt/sand. I have also been known to put the truck in less than ideal situations with mud and water. Other than the salt issue which is nonexistent in south Georgia, I think I can come up with a pretty solid conclusion. I'll update tonight.

I will say that Georgia clay can stick to your wheels enough that a pressure washer can't get it all without removing the wheels. It can also seriously screw up your tire balance. My teeth have about rattled out of my head the past couple days. I think I'll balance with beads next time I have the tires off the wheels.

 

[dersch6221992]

thanks offtrac for all your input! and i am relaly looking forward to my mornoe backs. the more i drive the more taking a fast tight turn in the parking garage racing my coworker (hehe police priveldges) the truck basically bounced and washed out forward a little bit. so i am really excited for the new shocks and hubs.

 

[Dweeberman]

Yea I could not wait to install my front shocks lol. I put them on last night and was attempting to take pictures, but my camera battery was dead. So no pictures.

NOw at first i was excited because i saw a half inch lift...but after driving it and the suspension settling, it dropped down that half inch, so no lift was achieved (still sitting at 38 1/2 in both sides up front). Now the handling is much more tight than before. More stiff and less rebound when going over bump. I did a tiny flex and it compressed and extended nicely. No more squeak on the front when going over speed bumps. I plan to do a little off-roading in the next week or 2 to really feel/see the difference. But so far, the most noticeable difference is in the steering and the body roll, which almost feels non-existent up front. Not bad though, and not so stiff that it is uncomfortable. And i did go with no boots right now. You can't even see the shock itself behind the tire. They were very easy to install. First side took about 30 minutes with figuring everything out, the other took about 10minutes. And this is with no air tools, all by hand tools and tire iron.

 

[dersch6221992]

Yea I could not wait to install my front shocks lol. I put them on last night and was attempting to take pictures, but my camera battery was dead. So no pictures.

NOw at first i was excited because i saw a half inch lift...but after driving it and the suspension settling, it dropped down that half inch, so no lift was achieved (still sitting at 38 1/2 in both sides up front). Now the handling is much more tight than before. More stiff and less rebound when going over bump. I did a tiny flex and it compressed and extended nicely. No more squeak on the front when going over speed bumps. I plan to do a little off-roading in the next week or 2 to really feel/see the difference. But so far, the most noticeable difference is in the steering and the body roll, which almost feels non-existent up front. Not bad though, and not so stiff that it is uncomfortable. And i did go with no boots right now. You can't even see the shock itself behind the tire. They were very easy to install. First side took about 30 minutes with figuring everything out, the other took about 10minutes. And this is with no air tools, all by hand tools and tire iron.

awesome man! glad you liked them. mine should be coming in mail monday... and then i will put them on wednesday or thursday! im pretty excited. the more i drive it the more intense and crazy my body roll is lol. i have a speed bump i have to hit every day and i feel like my trucks going to nose into the ground.

so the the stiff and tigher steering will be a little improvement.

 

[OffTrac]

Sorry I didn't get an update. I worked 15 hours yesterday and it looks like I'll be doing the same today. Lots more rain too. Hopefully the lakes hold on to this water longer into summer this year.

 

[dersch6221992]

got a package in the mail!!!! wooh. yea so opened box to only find 1 shock, and to find it is NOT the load adjusters.

 

[OffTrac]

That really sucks. Who did you order from?

Still haven't been able to check my shock boots. It's been raining nonstop for three weeks and I park outside so crawling under a dripping, muddy truck hasn't appealed to me after work.

 

[dersch6221992]

That really sucks. Who did you order from?

Still haven't been able to check my shock boots. It's been raining nonstop for three weeks and I park outside so crawling under a dripping, muddy truck hasn't appealed to me after work.

i bought then off ebay... never ever had a problem buying parts online

 

[dersch6221992]

mkay so i got my other shocks refunded and everything and today was such a busy and crazy day. started around 4/5pm working on getting the wheel hubs changed out. well this proved to want to fight me of course just like everything else with this truck. and then i finally got to the shocks. which of course were so rusted and old that had to cut both of the top bolts out. but got the new shocks in. personally i like them a lot.
i have noticed a few things and have questions for those that got the rancho.... what hardware/ rubber bushings came with your shocks? in one shock box (keep in my these are sold individually not pairs) i had 4 bolt and 4 nuts. and in the other box i had 2 bushing/ washers and 2 nuts. when going to install it seemed that i need 1 more bushing from each side, i ended up just using the stock bushing which was in great shape and perfect size
the last thing i noticed, which my mechanic friend ensured me was okay, is that the UCA, CV joint, Tie Rod and Suspension stabilizer were all super "droopy" compared to usual.
i did take measurements before but waiting for it to settle and see how the backs do and then i post them together.

 

[Sogsnakebite]

the last Ranchos i bought were missing half the hardware had to order seperately

 

[dersch6221992]

the last Ranchos i bought were missing half the hardware had to order seperately

okay so maybe it wasnt just me then! well early morning (night shift problems idk how to sleep lol) so me and my buddy are going to get the rears done. and get my skid plate installed (gas tank)

 

[OffTrac]

My Ranchos were missing hardware also. I don't remember what was missing or how I resolved it, just that I did have that issue.

 

[dersch6221992]

My Ranchos were missing hardware also. I don't remember what was missing or how I resolved it, just that I did have that issue.

well that is quite dissapointing to be honest. a michigan based company (where i live) and they cant even put parts in a box! well hopefully starting the rear shocks soon here

 

[OffTrac]

Yeah, my first impression of Rancho was not good when I opened the boxes. They're lucky they make good shocks to make up for their incompetent employees.

 

[dersch6221992]

Yeah, my first impression of Rancho was not good when I opened the boxes. They're lucky they make good shocks to make up for their incompetent employees.

agreed so far i really like the shocks.
hey any advice for the rears? am about to start in a bit after we eat