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#1
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Shock absorbers-need advice
It's time to think about shocks for my truck. I found this place on line, and have a few sample prices and types to run by you guys. I'm not up to speed on shocks, so I'm asking those in the know if these are good deals, and if they are for my application.
shockshopusa.com has these prices and makes listed. Monroe Gas Magnum 34000 series- $48.00 a pair. Monroe Sensa-trac 37000 series $68.00 a pair. Free boots. Gabriel-Monroe Air shocks- $78.00 a pair. Free airline kit. They also carry Bilstien, Edelbrock, Koni, etc. Are these prices competitive, and is the ride from the Monroes decent? Any thoughts are welcome, and I much appreciate it. Thanks! SS/Teve |
#2
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Here 's an updated version of an old shocks for Ram pickups post:
I have had the Edelbrock IAS shocks on my 2wd 1500 Ram for about 4 years and 60,000 miles now. They improve the sway in corners, reduce nose dive on braking, and generally feel more in control - but they are pretty stiff when new and the on-pavement ride suffers some compared to the factory installed shocks. Don't believe the hype about 'luxury car' ride with the IAS, but the bit about being able to go over speedbumps without 'buck & wave' afterwards is indeed true. Temperature seems to affect the IAS shock damping a little, with hot summer days giving a softer ride than cold winter days. On/Off road the control is good with almost no after pothole gyrations or washboard road over-reaction. I personally like the ride a little better now that my 4x2 Ram IAS shocks have 60K of wear on them versus the stiffer ride when they were brand new. For off road driving several Ram owners have remarked that taking off the Ram's front sway bar improves articulation and ride. The IAS shocks work well without the sway bar off road and on pavement, perhaps because of their own internal anti- sway valving. I have removed the anti-sway bar on my 1995 2wd CC Ram and have felt a noticeable improvement in ride when one wheel hits a bump that the other wheel does not. Body lean in turns is still low. I now have a lot of experience without the sway bar and have personally found no downside to removing it for the type of driving I do. (Before flaming me on this I would ask that you read the sway bar links I list below) If you buy the Edelbrock IAS for a Ram, watch to see that the steel bushings inside the rear shock upper rubber bushings are there, otherwise you will need to swap them in from the old factory shocks - the steel bushing keep you from over-tightening the mounting bolts, which is important as the specified torque on the mounting bolts is fairly high. I also had to open up one of the front washer holes on the front IAS shocks to get it to properly fit. Edelbrock is now selling a double wall and cheaper version shock - but I don't see any advantage to the new design except low price. Monowall shocks are generally superior. http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/ias_shocks.html The Tenneco-owned Monroe brand Reflex shock is more or less a copy of the Edelbrock IAS. The Reflex is supposed to be softer for moderate on highway use. Tenneco also owns Rancho, and sells a Reflex-like shock with stiffer valving as the Rancho model RSX for off roading. http://www.a-1shocks.com/reflex/index.htm http://www.monroe.com/Reflex_technology.htm Quite a few people have said that the like the adjustability of the Rancho model 9000 shocks. Most says that twisting the knob to adjust them is not hard and can be done in less than 5 minutes. Setting 2 is soft and 4 is rock hard. I haven't heard of the 9000's leaking so much as the exterior rusting badly after a few years. An extra coat of good urethane paint prior to installation might help. Explorer ProComp is now making a monowall 6-way adjustable shock. Tenneco used to make the ProComp shocks on their assembly line under contract, but I don't know if that is true of the new shock design or not. The last time I looked at the ExplorerProcomp webpage they didn't have the new 6-way shock written up yet. http://www.explorerprocomp.com/shocks.html I haven't heard as many good things about the Rancho 5000 shocks. They are stiffer than the factory Ram shocks, but I have heard Ram owners who bought 5000 later say they wished they had gone with 9000s. http://www.gorancho.com/products.stm Delphi Automotive (used to be AC Delco of GM but now independent) has a $500 electronically controlled adjustable aftermarket shock system that can be adjusted from the cab but does not need an air compressor. Delphi has been demo'ing this at auto shows but I haven't seen an installation personally. http://www.delphiautomotive.com/ The Kenne Bell Company says that they tested all shocks for their specialty decked out Rams and Durangos and decided upon the Bilstein. Hotchkis Performance Suspensions also says the Bilstein is best for Rams and Dakotas if handling is your main goal, and use this shock in their retro-fit handling kits. The ride of the Bilstein is not supposed to be overly harsh on pavement either. http://www.bilstein.com/index2.html http://www.kennebell.net Sway A Way has some 'extra fat' shocks that have physically larger bodies and rods for heavy duty off-road applications: http://www.swayaway.com/Shock%20frameset.htm Note that if a lift for your Ram is in the future, any of these shocks may need to be changed due to length, and any money spent now may be lost. Other shock & suspension websites worth a visit: http://www.shox.com/suppliers.html http://www.tokicogasshocks.com/index.html Also note the lightweight composite loaf leaf springs for Ram rear leaf springs at the above Tokico website. there is additional fiberglass spring info at: http://www.hypercoils.com/text/leafsprings.htm http://flex-a-form.com/ More shock links: http://www.gabriel.com/NewFiles/Pro...ing.htm#Anchor5 Some interesting Java calculators pertaining to shocks: http://www.proshocks.com/calcs/ Sway Bar/Suspension links and explanations: http://www.howstuffworks.com/question432.htm http://mchambers.members.easyspace.com/swaybar.htm http://www.teamscr.com/sway.htm http://suspension.com/stam-bar.htm Further Unusual Suspension mods for Rams: http://www.kinetic.au.com/index.html http://www.keldermanmfg.com/airride.htm The "Roadmaster" top of spring control coil add-on below has gotten good reviews so far from Ram and Dakota owners who have tried them: http://www.activesuspension.com/ Velvet ride shackles have gotten mixed reviews on Rams: http://www.drivetrain.com/velvetrideinst.html |
#3
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Thanks HankL. As usual, a reply with all the info to make an informed choice. I'll take everything into consideration, but have to go with the most economical choice without losing too much ride quality, as I am on a very tight budget after dropping $1800 for a complete tranny rebuild. Thanks!
SS/Teve |
#4
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Edlebrock IAS shocks
As usual, HankL's post gives you the complete scoop. 'Just thought I'd add my quick .02 worth. I have the Edlebrock IAS shocks on my Ram (2500 HD V10 4x4) - the original monotube design - and I have been very pleased with the performance of them, on and off road. Generally speaking, the monotube gas-charged shocks are of higher quality.
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#5
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If I was on a budget, I would try out the Monroe Reflex shock for a Ram. There is at least one member here on RamTruckChat that has them and his report seemed to be very similar to my experience with the Edelbrock IAS.
If you can wait a few more miles, Monroe frequently has "Buy 3 and get one Free" sales. |
#6
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Another money saving alternative is the current JC Whitney catalog has a 15% off coupon for orders over $200. JC Whitney sells the Edelbrock IAS shocks for $69 each, so the coupon would cut that to about $59
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#7
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I've actually been thinking about the Reflex, but wanted some opinions about them. I think for the price, I can afford them. 95,000 miles on the original. I think it's time for a change. I may only be able to buy two at a time, but at least I'll have them. Thanks for the info guys.
SS/Teve |
#8
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reflex
I am the guy with reflex shocks. I am very happy with them, as I have had nothing short of a dramatic improvment in body lean in turns, and no....nosedive on braking. I can hit bumps at speed and not even feel them. I would buy them again. Now for the downside, I am a very fast and aggressive driver, thus i am always hitting bumps at speed. but on the rare occasions I do 5-15 mph driving on bumpy streets it is a VERY stiff ride, almost like a hardtail. I would imagine that it takes a certain amount of force to open the valve, and at that speed it doesnt, ask hank l.
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#9
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I have the Reflex shocks too, I like them. They definately helped the body lean in corners, and don't seem much stiffer than a good gas shock (like Bilsteins for example) I got mine at O'Reilly auto parts during the buy three, get one free sale so they were about $120 for the 4 which was a whole lot cheaper than the best I could do on the Edelbrock shocks.
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#10
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There is an O'Reillys here in town. Think I'll stop in and see if they have another sale coming up. That is within my budget right now. Thanks for the "epinions" guys!
SS/Teve |
#11
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I got an O'Reilly's add in the paper yesterday, they have a sale right now where you get back an "safey first comback certificate*" of up to $75 if you buy 4 reflex shocks. The * says see store for detals not sure what that means. Promotion ends 5/15/02. Thought it might help out.
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#12
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Appreciate the info RRREDRAM, I haven't had a chance to go by yet, but sounds like now would be the time to do it. Thanks!
SS/Teve |
#13
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Just to add to what's already been said, I have a buddy that's tried several different shocks for his Ram (Rancho, Monroe, Edelbrock) and he says that his current Doetsch Tech 8000's are the best he's ever had.
After he told me, I became interested and did a little surfing on the net to do a little research because I'm going to be buying some new shocks soon myself. I found several different reviews, the majority of them positive. The following pic (from http://209.153.207.132/pr/2001/doetsch/ ) is for a Jeep application, but you can see the difference. Notice the difference in the size of the chrome shaft and the length of travel. This owner claims that both the Rancho shocks and the Doetsch Tech's are for the same configuration on his Jeep. He also sounded impressed with both the on and off road handling of these shocks. The only potential downside I can see is the TwinTube design - for those of you who want a Monotube shock. I still haven't decided myself which shock I'm going to get, but these sound as good as any from everything I've heard so far. They sell for about $40 a piece at trailquest.com |
#14
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For a good ride on a tight budget, buy the Gabriel LT VST's. They run anywhere from $20 to $25 each, depending on if you can find them on sale.
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#15
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After a little more reevaluation of my truck finances, those Gabriel LT's are looking really good. If they are a decent shock, then I can get them at Auto Zone for $17 and change. Sound like a real cheapo, but I'm really strapped for cash right now. I do like the way the LT looks anyway. Thanks for the suggestion Ram-N-Time!
SS/Teve |
#16
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No problem.
I ran a set of them for about 6,000 miles before I installed my lift. They were a very good riding shock. I think they could have been a little bit stiffer but then we cannot have everything when we do not have the funds. I would rather have them a little too soft then too stiff. |
#17
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Absolutely, I went by Auto Zone today and looked at one of them. I think they will look really good underneath the white Dodge. I may order some blue shock boots if I can find some that come close to the blue on my stripes. $16.99 apiece at Auto Zone. Thanks!
SS/Teve |
#18
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Hey guys,
I currently run a set of gas KYB's and love the performance but hate the ay they will beat me up on a bad city street. Sweet on the highway and in the twisties though. I've considered the Reflex shocks sine I wanted just a tad softer ride on bad city streets but was worried that I would lose some of my control. Would the Reflex shocks make for more pleasant city driving? Will they still give me that extra sense of control I've come to love in my gas KYB's? Thanks |
#19
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I have run some of those supposed "Auto Adjusting Shock" and I am not impressed. If I were you, I would by the self adjusting Rancho 9000. Buy the whole kit that way you can adjust your shock valving from inside the cab.
You can soften them up when you are going over the ruff stuff and stiffen them up when you are on a nice smooth twisty road. The 9000s will be the next set of shocks I buy for my truck |
#20
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Has anyone ever tun different shocks up front then they have in the rear? Example... gas KYB's in the back to keep my rears planted but run Reflex shocks up front to make a smoother front end response.
How well would that work? |
#21
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Of all the performance high dollar shocks, you can just about find some negative response on just about all of them. Not because they are inferior in any way, but because different people have different qualities they are looking for in ride control. That's one of the reasons I've settled on the Gabriel LT's. It's a product from a reputable company that I have recieved nothing but positive responses about since I started looking for shocks. After reading a lot of posts, and checking info, I would probably buy the Gabriel shocks even if I hadn't needed the tranny rebuild. If they just stink on my truck, and do not ride good, then I'll look into the higher dollar shocks, and eat crow. But somehow, I don't think that's going to happen. I'll probably put them on the weekend following this one, and I'll post a full and honest report on their performance. Thanks!
SS/Teve |
#22
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I took my reflexs off today
I took my reflexes off today, and took them back and got a refund. I put the stockers back on and feel great. I woulld rather have a soft ride, but I did like the cornering of the reflexes but couldnt stand the ride, it was rougher than my 77 1 ton w/ monroe heavy dutys.
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