I installed the Rancho 5000's on my 96-3500 and within a year they were toast. No I didn't want any more. Then I installed the Monroe sensatrac. They didn't last either. Two sets. Now I have the Bilstein's on. Not real happy there . So I ordered the Kelderman air ride unit and will go with Rancho 9000's. Something has to smooth out the ride on these buggy's.<br><br>..Preston..

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions, I finally went with a local dealer that carried the shock in stock (Monroe Shocks). I took the shocks off and carried them in, then we measured compressed and extended. Able to come up with something close. Evidently the plow prep adds extended springs front and rear because none of the ones listed in the book even came close to fitting. I still need to get the steering stabilizer because it is different also.<br><br>Notice big improvement in handling.<br><br>Now for New Tires.... :P

 

There are plenty of shocks to chose from. I had rancho rs 5000 front and rear. The fronts went flat in alittle over a year, so i switched out to bilstein's. They do work good, but tend to give a rougher ride. The rears are still rs 5000's.www.truckperformance.com, or www.4wheelparts.com can hook you up.

 

I'd like to hear the results of the Kendelman Mod.
The Air Ride Hitch was my second mod after air springs (Firestone). With the changes so far, I've almost managed to get the trailer input reduced to zero. Kendelman is most likely next on the list. ;D

 

I have well over 100,000 on my Rancho 9000 shocks and watch them for wear. The ride is slightly looser than when new but I do not have the cranked to the last notch either. I am more than satisfied with them, made a different truck out of it. I am also sure that other brands are as good quality, but these are the shocks that I have used. You will find that Rancho 5000 have soft bushings allowing slop and the 9000 have hard solid bushings taking the slop out.

 

Hey don't just follow along with what everyone else has, be a LEADER. Go with something new, and then you can let us know how good it is. Bilstein makes more then just the 5100 series that everyone else runs. Try there new 5150 series with the reservoir. Or edelbrock just came out with the &quot; Xtreme travel &quot; remote reservoir shock looks cool! Then there is king, bad as* shocks, pro comp has a very nice long travel,reservoir shock. Hey get creative, and then give us some feed back. Good luck