Have a 79 f-150 with 35's, I'm lookin' into some new shocks and would like any input on what anybody else runs and how they are working for Ya. Currently have 9000's on her, but I'm not real happy with em. Any input will be welcomed, also price is not a real concern, as long as ya get what ya pay for! Thanx in advance, Chuck P.

 

Chuck,
For full size trucks I would have suggested the Rancho 9000s.I run them on my F250, Mud Bogging Monster (Duals at all 4 corners,with in cab adjusters).I love em,They are very strong and can take the punishment I dish out almost every weekend.What I really like though is the abillity to put them at their highest settings when Im pounding the truck,but lighten em up for the ride home. Other than that almost any shock will work well if it holds up.Your performance in your suspension as far as articulation,travel,and lift,all come from your springs.If you arent happy with your suspension it is usualy due to your spring and or lift set up.Your shocks will only controll dampening and rebound and unless you really hammer or race your vehichle you will probably not notice the difference in milliseconds of rebound,or return abillities,(however the Ranchos due rate very well in that catagory). I am currently using Black Diamond(Fox Shocks with remote resovoires) on my Jeep,but that was due to the long travel shocks that they have for custom applications,(very high articulation Rock crawling),They are working very well.I was using Pro comp(3000s) on the Jeep,before I started modifying the shock towers and axle atatchment locations,They were a little slow in allowing the suspension to go through its full range of motion,but only at the extreme limits of their travel.I have heard good reports on Edelbrocks with variable speed valving,same with Ranchos version and Heckethorn Nitro 9000s.Later,
Jeff

 

I have heard/read that Bilsteins are the master for a good ride.
Phillip

 

>Have a 79 f-150 with 35's, I'm
>lookin' into some new shocks and
>would like any input on what
>anybody else runs and how they
>are working for Ya. Currently have
>9000's on her, but I'm not
>real happy with em. Any input
>will be welcomed, also price is
>not a real concern, as long
>as ya get what ya pay
>for! Thanx in advance, Chuck P.
>

I guess it all depends on what kind of drivin your are doing. Bilsteins are great for minor off-roadin and street use, but the Rancho's with adjustments have to be the best serious off road shocks.

Evan A.K.A. PastMaster
1993 F-150
1989 F-150

 

Thanks for the response guys! I was blamin' the RS9000's, well, I'll eat crow on this one. I guess that broken upper rear shock mount had something to do with the terrible shock fade. Then tryin' to use the front to compensate for the bounce on the rear just didn't work very well!! For future reference, I just used the frame mount for the Rancho kicker shocks, spaced it on an angle to match the shock body on the axle (had these made at a machine shop), used 1/2" rigid conduit to set-up the spacing and angles, stainless steel hardware used throughout, this has moved the shock forward as well as given me a little more static length. The shock body no longer hits the axle when fully extended. I now have eye-eye on the ends of the shocks instead of the stud on top, much better selection of shocks with this style. I stayed with the Rancho 9000's, in the rear, #9112 in place of the #9009, the front will get a new set also. I also didn't realize how old these were! Got em' when they first came out about 6 years ago! Really can't complain, they've been used and abused!! Thanks to all for the input, got a really good bunch of folks out here!! Chuck P.