i need shock advice

[red dirt squirt]

ok so i just got my springs back from being arched and put back together and it looks like i'll get about 3 in of lift out of them hopefully 4 but i dont know how to measure for shocks much less what shocks to buy. my fellow cruiser conrad currently sports the ranco 5000. about what does a set of these cost. are they good. and how should i measure for them

 

[rusmannx]

drive one tire onto a ramp, or lift it with a forklift until the other one is ready to come off of the ground. measure from eye to eye on the high tire, and then again on the low tire. do this for both axles. all you need is the long length, and the short length to konw your stroke. give this info to the shop you want to buy shocks from.

 

[red dirt squirt]

thats great thanks .....any thoughts on the rancho's where can i get a cheap set and what about is it going to cost me. prolly just go with 5000 for me 9000 are steep and i hate adjustable shocks for some reason unless they are gas or nitrogen

 

[bsilva132]

the 5000's are stiff. I had them when I was SUA and the ride was harsh. They are better suited for a full size truck IMO.

 

[rusmannx]

i have the 9000's. i don't need the adjustability, so i just leave them on the softest setting.
call around local shops. i live in utah, and i called about 20 places before finding them about $15 cheaper from one shop. there are deals out there, just call around.

 

[red dirt squirt]

hmmm.....i see. what shock would you recomend?

 

[rusmannx]

bilsteins

 

[red dirt squirt]

that makes sense my cruisers springs are real worn right now and the shocks are shot, so i dont know what is going to happen when i put those new springs on and new shocks so i want to get a descent shock

 

[rusmannx]

what are you looking/willing to spend per shock?

 

[red dirt squirt]

any more shocks that have been sucessful on the sua set up

 

[red dirt squirt]

dunno prolly a little under a hundred a shock or so.....hopefully a little less

 

[bsilva132]

my dad runs doeshtech (sp?) 8000's on his 40 (4" SUA) and it rides pretty good. All four were ~$136 from summit. The DT 3000's are softer, but you might get too much body roll if you are SOA. I have heard good things about the Billstien 5125's and 5150's, but not first hand experience. Check the vendors section over at PBB, porc and poly performance (Pig) both have their own custom shock that may work for you also.
-Brian

 

[Stone]

Rancho shocks are cheap. NAPA online has the RS9000 for less than $95, and the RS5000 for less than $49. www.napaonline.com

I used to run the RS5000 in my old Pathfinder...and I agree, they did seem a bit stiff. The RSX is probably the better shock out of the Rancho lineup. Good luck.

 

[red dirt squirt]

thanks yall i appreciate the advice......

 

[skyshark186]

If you look around you can actually find rancho 5000s for 30 bucks a piece. I have always been a big rancho fan. Never been big on bilsteins. Ehhh...to each his own.

I would also say that if your suspention sucks your shocks dont matter. If you have improper shackle angles and stiff springs even the best shocks feel like crap.

 

[red dirt squirt]

yeah, not so worried about the shackles. my springs just seem real worn they are 30 years old, shocks look that old too. new springs and shocks will do a lot......anyone know where i can find 9000's for cheap?

 

[dd113]

Hate to say it but the pro comps are good. Around $25 ea and available at every 4W Parts in NA. Not the best by far but good for the money. OME is the way to go. Never liked Bilsteen, too complicated to get the right rate. NAPA has a top end Gabriel that beats Rancho hands down for around $25 ea. gabriel gas rider shock. Rancho last a long time, I will give them that but they still suck. Even the 9Ks suck. I dont want to fool with yet another thing to adjust.

Pro comps are cool in that you can almost always get the lenght you need in stock. They last a normal wheeler around 25K. They last me 3-5 rides! 'bout the same as OME!

 

[red dirt squirt]

really, i had no idea you could get decent shocks for around 25 bucks a piece. Why dont your shocks last very long?

 

[mustardfj40]

yeah, not so worried about the shackles. my springs just seem real worn they are 30 years old, shocks look that old too. new springs and shocks will do a lot......anyone know where i can find 9000's for cheap?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283537&highlight=rancho

/td

 

[Mainer7]

I like my OME shocks. Got them from liquidoffroad