shocks

[pedigo78]

I need to replace my shocks on my 85 chevy k20, it has a 4inch lift and 3 inch body lift. I am on a budget but dont want to get crap shocks. How are rancho shocks and if i get those would RS5000 be good enough. Also i found a set of  rough country shocks for around 70.00 for all 4 how are those. 

[gto109]

ive used rancho shocks in the past on other trucks and i liked them.

[Jason S]

I just did shocks on my '73 GMC K2500. It has a Rancho 4" lift and had Rancho shocks (RS4000?, maybe) for over 14 years.

I was going to replace my old shocks with Rancho, until the parts store told me $50 each. Plus, Rancho was all they had listed for that truck with a 4" lift. I drive this truck almost daily on the road and some off road. But, I personally didn't think I needed the Rancho's, especially for $200 plus tax

SO, I did some research and measuring and calling buddies and wound up spending a total of $100 for all four shocks with a lifetime warranty (save the receipt)...

I found that for the rear end, rear shocks for a 2001 Dodge 1 ton dually (3500), V10 4x4 match almost perfectly.  Almost; the full extension is slightly less, but my truck would put stress on the parking brake cables with the rear end dropped (so a little less extension is good for me). Compression was the same as the Rancho's Also, I had to pull the steel sleeves out of the rubber bushing- that was it. These were Monroe at $25 each.

For the front, I found that 1993 Dodge 3/4 ton (Ram 250) 360 V8 4x4 front shocks were exactly the same in respect to length both in compression and extension. I had to make a steel bushing out of steel pipe (some slight reaming with a 1/2" drill bit) and trim the sides of the rubber bushing on the bottom. About an hour extra to modify the shock. The fronts are Gabriel at $25 each.

I wound up getting two different brands because one parts store stocked the rears and one stocked the fronts and I didn't want to wait for an order. Overall, it's been 4 months and I've been very pleased with the setup and have yet to find any deficiencies with my adaptation.

With the body lift and bigger tires, you may have extra roll/stress, etc. and need something different.   But I thought I'd throw this out there, anyways.

[Psycho71]

"Southern Engineering", gotta love it!

Seriously, that's a man beating the system. And I'll note this info myself and consider it if/when i need to replace my shocks on my 4" lifted burb.

I went with proComp shocks on mine. I am under the impression i will need new shocks soon, as the reviews on ProComps aren't very good. 

[thirsty]

I've had many different brands and never saw much difference between expensive and non expensive for a lifted squarebody. I have had rancho shocks lose the oil thru the seal before.

[beastie_3]

Ive had no problems with my bilsteins.