I have a 2001 XLT Sport 2WD and I am curently looking into replacing the factory shocks.

I am debating between the Rancho 9000's and Edelbrocks IAS and looking for input from those that have these shock now on their 2WD. I see alot of post about shocks but it seems most are people with 4X4's.

I am looking for a nice firm ride, not bouncy when empty as it is now with the factory shocks and 30,000 miles on them. I know it's a truck and I know it won't feel like a big car ride I am just looking for something that feels firm, but yet not bouncing all over the place when driving on roads that are rough sometimes.

I kind of like the idea about the Rancho 9000's and being able to adjust them for a certain ride. I don't tow much at all, and don't usally carry any heavy loads in the bed, basically a daily driver in town and on the freeway. As I have said it's a 2WD so I don't go off-roading with it. We do however have some crappy roads back here and during winter decent frost heaves (like small speed bumps in the road).

So those of you with 2WD what say you?

Also, any recommendations on where to buy them?

 

I have the Edlebrock's on a 2wd. I put them on at 11,000 miles and they were a HUGE improvement.

The Edelbrock's are a much more sophisitcated design than stock. They respond to sharp hits much better, so the ride on potholes and rough roads is much smoother and more controlled.

On slow shock shaft movements (like body roll during cornering) the Edelbrock's are much stiffer than stock. The reduction in body roll during cornering is dramatic.

In 4 years, have put 56,000 miles on my Edelbrock's and I feel that they have lost some of their damping within the last six months or so.

 

I too am ready for some new shocks with 48k on the meter.

I'm thinking about a pair of Rancho RS5000 for the front and a pair of Rancho RS9000X for the back so I can adjust the back ones depending on the load I'm carrying.

 

Thanks for the replys.

hapynzap: Thats not a bad idea with the Rancho, I never thought about it. Still tough deciding between the Rancho and the Edelbrock.

I would have thought I would of got more post to this thread. The reason I started it was because I have 2WD and most opinions on shocks that I have read are based on 4X4.

 

I've been shopping the Rancho shocks pretty hard, heh.

I found them the cheapest so far at
http://www.truckperformance.com/
for about $200 for all 4 as described above.

By putting the cheaper RS5000 on the front it makes it pretty affordable but gives me the flexibility of adjusting the rear RS9000X depending on the load I have, which is usually empty.

Next payday I'm gonna go for it.

 

I would look into the Bilsteins shock. I have yet to hear a negitive thing about them. They will give you the firmer performance ride you want. The elderbrocks I hear are bouncy at speed.. ( it is hearsay. I have no experience with them) Rancho also makes a good shock. It will be a tough choice.

Good Luck,
Bill

 

Thanks hapynzap for the information. If I went that way, the Rancho 5000 in the front and the 9000 in the rear it comes to $225.84 plus shipping unless thats free. So still debating, but that adds a great choice to the mix.

outdare, I agree I have heard good things about the Bilsteins as well, it just seems here from the reading on the other threads that the Rancho and Edelbrocks seem to be the top two.

I am no shock expert, but just from reading the different threads.

I love having choices and competation, but man it can really suck sometimes...

 

XLT Sport

Dunno if you got your shocks yet.. but I just put Rancho RSX's on mine.. and wow, what a big difference.. I had Monroe Sensatrac's on it before.. but I'll never put them back on... the RSX's really improved the ride quality.. I paid 209.00 for all 4 from www.truckaddons.com


good luck with your truck

 

Spieldawg:

No I have not yet bought any shocks. Thank you for you recommendation. It seems the more reading I do about both the Edelbrock and Rancho RSX 5000 and RS9000 the more then seem to be very close to ride quality just different packages.

The one thing that I believe the Rancho RS9000 have over the Edelbrock is the ability to dial in what type of ride a person wants.

So far like hapynzap pointed out the cheapest I have seen either shock was at http://www.truckperformance.com/

There prices at the moment are $44.12 for the Rancho RSX, $68.80 for the Rancho RS9000 and $69.36 for the Edelbrock.

hapynzap had an excellent suggestion as far as putting the RSX's on the front and then the RS9000 on the back giving me the ability to adjust the rear if I need to if I decide to tow, or carry alot of weight in the back which is rear for me to do.

I probabely won't be getting my shocks for a least a few weeks so I am still thinking it over and seeing what other recommendations may be posted to this thread.

 

Actually I'm looking at the RS5000 High Performance Shock for the fronts and they are $33.81 ea

and

(68.80 for Rear) RS9000X Nine-Position Adjustable Shock

set price 67.62 (front)
+ 137.60 (rears)
sub total 205.22
shipping 11.00
total 216.22

Payday is coming (Friday) heh