[Sitting Bull]

Good morning all,
I will be needing to change my shocks soon and I would like your feed back. I pull a 14" utility trailer daily, Will put landscape supplies like rocks, gravel and soil. I also have a truck camper that weighs about 2400 lbs.
I do not even know where to start. I looked up Rancho and saw some 9000 XL's but the site does not give much info on them. How do I go about choosing the right shock for my needs? What do you all recommend?
Thanks for your replies.

 

[Devon E]

Rancho's work good great warranty decent price
Bilstiens I have had alot of trouble with some swear by them tho.

 

[Sitting Bull]

Thanks Devon E,
I will shop around for them. Tell me are they difficult to install on my 02?

 

[Devon E]

Backs are easy I still have a set of front shocks sitting in my 99 cause i dont wana do them.

 

[skidooman]

I have had bilstiens on my truck for about a year and havent had any problems(knock on wood). I haul a 5500lbs boat and a 7k# travel trailer and they do just fine. The fronts on mine werent bad, just take the battery and tray out and the upper tower comes right out. Mines an 05 but I dont think it will be much different.

 

[David_411]

Front shocks are a b&tch to do.
It gets faster the third time around when Crappy tire shocks keep failing.
Heard good things about Bilstein 5100s.

 

[Grumpy John 4X4]

Shocks

Stick with Billsteins, Great shocks 5100's or the 7100's!:thumbsup: :flag1::flag::usa:

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I just ordered Bilsteins from Geno's Garage (CF Sponsor). I got the blue/yellow ones. Haven't installed them yet since they just arrived yesterday.

-Chuck

 

[Rednek Diesel Guy]

I've got skyjackers myself, they get the job done alright, prolly gonna switch up to bilsteins or king shocks in the future.

 

[kyle 22]

I believe i have skyjackers...there white with no markings, love em, they are a great shock.

 

[Sitting Bull]

Thanks for the replies,
Any particular reason why those who have Bilsteins recommend those over the Rancho?
What is the difference between the two?
What problems do the Ranchos have??

Thanks again

 

[Danderson]

Good morning all,
I will be needing to change my shocks soon and I would like your feed back. I pull a 14" utility trailer daily, Will put landscape supplies like rocks, gravel and soil. I also have a truck camper that weighs about 2400 lbs.
I do not even know where to start. I looked up Rancho and saw some 9000 XL's but the site does not give much info on them. How do I go about choosing the right shock for my needs? What do you all recommend?
Thanks for your replies.

Rancho 9000's are a great way to go for you. My camper's on all the time so I'm running a suspension specifically designed to carry weight. Your load varies. My 5100's were overwhelmed by my truck camper.

 

[nickg]

Guy
I've run the following shocks
Bilestiens (with carli coils) excellent so far but have heard of guys having issues, they were 125$ each from HRT in Calgary

KYB monotube, ran thses for over 100,000kms as a courior, so thats alot of use, mind you it was with stock springs so likely they never saw much of a work out as the springs were so stiff. I still have them in the garage and there is nothing wrong with them, they were in the same price range around 125$ with a lifetime waarrentty. ride quality almost on par with the bilestein

on the rear I'm running Pro-comp, I'm guessing they have near 100,000kms as well, I cut and lengthened the shock rod(because of the carli lift) and its held up fine and was relitavely cheap at around 80$, I did have to replace one lower bushing that failed (20$ for 2) other than that they have worked well and provide better than average ride control. if you want best bang for the buck then Pro-Comp gets my vote. you can get these locally as well.

Nick

 

[ARMOR]

Up here in wonderful weather Alberta stick with either Procomp, Rancho or Fabtech. If your hauling good idea to go with some adjustables Rancho 9000 or Procomp MX6 both adjustable rancho has 9 levels procomps 6.

Shocks like fox, King etc sometimes tend to wear the seals faster with the mud, sand and weather changes up here. Don't get me wrong they are an AWESOME shocks just don't stand up to the elements as well....but are easily rebuildable which is another thing to look at just have to get seal kits and can last you forever if you just keep rebuilding them.

It's easy to change the fronts, if you don't have a hoist jack the truck up by the frame let the front wheels droop this way you don't have to force the shock closed to get the shock towers back on. No need to take out battery tray can get some of the bolts from wheel well or use a long extension.

 

[holycack]

Bilstein 5100 gets my my vote, I've had them on for 2 years and no problems and I'm sure you can't get any colder or muddier then Ft Mac. I had ProComps but found the ride horrible compared to the Bilsteins plus I blew out one rear shock, one front shock and both stabilizers, all Pro Comp in just over a year.