My shocks are shot, so I'm looking into options. I know of Bilstiens, Ranchos, and a few different Monroes (Reflex, SensaTrac, MonroMatic Plus, Gas Magnum). Primarily, Just a DD, with occasional towing and drag racing. Sled pulling may or may not be somewhere in the future. I've heard the Bilstiens are not really good if your going to drag race, so that kinda eliminates them. How would Monroes work for my use? The Rancho 9000's look neat, but at twice the price. I can get both Rancho and Monroes locally, and both have lifetime warranties. I could do all four if I where to get either Monroes or Rancho 5000's. If the 9000's are really that much better, I could do two right now. IF I where to go with the 9000's and only did two for now, which would be the most important ones to replace first; Front or rear?

Thoughts?

Thanks

Cougar,

Ive been told by many sources that basically there are very few shock manufactures'

Ive been told monroe makes Rancho, pro comp, trailmaster, and others.

So if you like the monroes save your money and dont pay for a name.

I like my bilsteins, but i dont see how they arr bad for drag racing?

Im mean definiltey a QA1 is better, but your not full time drag raceing right?

Cougar,

Ive been told by many sources that basically there are very few shock manufactures'

Ive been told monroe makes Rancho, pro comp, trailmaster, and others.

So if you like the monroes save your money and dont pay for a name.

I like my bilsteins, but i dont see how they arr bad for drag racing?

Im mean definiltey a QA1 is better, but your not full time drag raceing right?

the bilstiens rebound valving is way too soft to keep the front end from coming up while doing launches , lets just say i sold 1 mounth old shocks .............. The QA1's are not for every one because of cost .

if you have a keen eye you can see the tires are toeing in even with cognito hd tie rods/braces/ and a solid billet centerlink . this pic was while using Bilstien 5100's

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo80/trentnell/IMG_6089.jpg

No, not full time racing. What I've read is that there's too much rise in the front with the Bilstiens (or something like that). In the case of Rancho 5000's or Monroe, they're all around $50 each locally, so it would be a question of which one might be best (they could all be the same too). From what I can tell, the Rancho 9000's are another animal that there's no Monroe equvalent.

Anyone have Rancho's "MyRide" remote? Right now they're offering it for free with the purchase of four RS9000XL's.


Cougar,

Ive been told by many sources that basically there are very few shock manufactures'

Ive been told monroe makes Rancho, pro comp, trailmaster, and others.

So if you like the monroes save your money and dont pay for a name.

I like my bilsteins, but i dont see how they arr bad for drag racing?

Im mean definiltey a QA1 is better, but your not full time drag raceing right?

I paid $51 each for the Monroe Reflex's and over stock, they are a huge improvement. The Monroes are soft. There is not enough dampening in the front for my taste. I drive a lot of backroads and on a good hump or dip, the front end will bounce 2-3 times. It maintains control of the truck just fine but I would like more dampening. It's probably because of the extra weight from the diesel as the rear seems fine.

The Doetsch shocks I ran on my Jeep were good for about 1 bounce and had a good hiss to them as they flexed. I know, apples to oranges but it they perform on the D Max like they did on my Jeep, I would look at those. Doetsch provides for Rubicon Express and others.

No complaints with Bilstein 5100s here.

the bilstiens rebound valving is way too soft to keep the front end from coming up while doing launches , lets just say i sold 1 mounth old shocks .............. The QA1's are not for every one because of cost .

if you have a keen eye you can see the tires are toeing in even with cognito hd tie rods/braces/ and a solid billet centerlink . this pic was while using Bilstien 5100's

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo80/trentnell/IMG_6089.jpg


I know allot of the drag racing guys say that the Bilstein's are soft on the rebound but that is not true 100%. We offer Bilstein's in different valving and that with the proper length is where we get a great reflection of ride and lots of customers. The QA1's are nice, I just think you might not have tried a pr. of Bilstein's that could have solved your problems or concerns.

Nice pic by the way!!

I know allot of the drag racing guys say that the Bilstein's are soft on the rebound but that is not true 100%. We offer Bilstein's in different valving and that with the proper length is where we get a great reflection of ride and lots of customers. The QA1's are nice, I just think you might not have tried a pr. of Bilstein's that could have solved your problems or concerns.

Nice pic by the way!!

i understand what you are saying Nick , but the way i understand it other than custom valving from Bilstien there is only one model that is stiffer than what i had ( 4000/1000) . and i highly doubt there is a shock out there that is not adjustable that can go stiff enough to solve this issue . Even the QA1's are just enough....... no extra , as stiff as they go ( which is damn stiff ) they could still be a bit stiffer for strip use . Unless you are not concerned about 60ft times then it does matter .

Bilstein has a 4395/1285. What part number where you using of Bilstein?

Bilstein has a 4395/1285. What part number where you using of Bilstein?


BE5-D146-H0

What is the valving you are set at now on the QA1's?

What is the valving you are set at now on the QA1's?
for strip use on rebound i am 25 clicks ( maxed out ) ,and 6-7 clicks compression .

for strip use on rebound i am 25 clicks ( maxed out ) ,and 6-7 clicks compression .


They don't have a rating for the range of what they are offering on the shock? I need to order a set and check them out. 1 thing I find with every damn shock other than a few is they always reduce the travel witch then reduces ride quality. They say they are the right shock but the true spec is shorter than needed.

They don't have a rating for the range of what they are offering on the shock? I need to order a set and check them out. 1 thing I find with every damn shock other than a few is they always reduce the travel witch then reduces ride quality. They say they are the right shock but the true spec is shorter than needed.


here is there discrition . and here is the part # i used DTC1538P



Double Adjustable Stock Mount Shocks
Truly Independent Compression and Rebound Adjustment.
576 Valving Options
Includes 24 positions of compression adjustment on one knob, and 24 positions of rebound adjustment on the other knob. Each knob is clearly labeled with an R for rebound or a "C" for compression, as well as plus and minus symbols for ease of adjustment.
· Some front applications may require the lower a-arm to be dropped for installation. Body diameter may be too large to allow mounting from the bottom. Some control arms’ shock openings may need to be enlarged to accept a QA1 shock.
· Due to deviations from the factory ride heights, it may be necessary to check the actual ride height of your particular application.
· Many Stocker Stars® can be converted to different mounting applications.
· If you do not see your applications listed, please call the QA1 tech line at 952-985-5675 for more information


here is it compared to a stock shock .

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo80/trentnell/Picture043.jpg

With all the rubber mounting installed about how much shorter are they from OE?

I don't really have any full drag racing guys close to me so I have not yet been able to play with a truck on what will better.

With all the rubber mounting installed about how much shorter are they from OE?

I don't really have any full drag racing guys close to me so I have not yet been able to play with a truck on what will better.

I would have to say they are the same length because of the much thinner bushings, and more piston travel . here is a installed pic you can see how close the upper a-arm is to the stop . if you ever have anything you want to test let me know . it would be nice to have a more affordible option availible .



http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo80/trentnell/IMG00069.jpg

I will see what I can come up with. Valving makes the world go round when you want your truck to act or ride a certain way:D

I would like to hear reccomendations for a nice smooth ride. I am unloaded most of the time. No lift.

Great discussion guys:cool:

Well, after thinking about it and reading reviews out in the internet, plus here, DTR and DD, I ordered a full set of the RS9000XL's. Really shouldn't have ordered them all, but they're offering the "MyRide Wireless Remote Control System" for free with the purchse of a set of 4 (Retails for $259 @ Summit), and unfortunately, all four have to be on one invoice. We'll see how they go. Anything's gotta be better than 136k stockers :).

Carry on :)

Let us know how they work for ya Cougar.

Well, after thinking about it and reading reviews out in the internet, plus here, DTR and DD, I ordered a full set of the RS9000XL's. Really shouldn't have ordered them all, but they're offering the "MyRide Wireless Remote Control System" for free with the purchse of a set of 4 (Retails for $259 @ Summit), and unfortunately, all four have to be on one invoice. We'll see how they go. Anything's gotta be better than 136k stockers :).

Carry on :)


Not sure if you have heard this yet, but .......

































Anything is better than stock OE....:lol:

And yes please post you thoughts from what you had before.

Well, after thinking about it and reading reviews out in the internet, plus here, DTR and DD, I ordered a full set of the RS9000XL's. Really shouldn't have ordered them all, but they're offering the "MyRide Wireless Remote Control System" for free with the purchse of a set of 4 (Retails for $259 @ Summit), and unfortunately, all four have to be on one invoice. We'll see how they go. Anything's gotta be better than 136k stockers :).

Carry on :)

Can you say where you ordered those from? PM me if you can't please! I am looking for a set of four. I have 114k on the originals.

Yeah, Yeah, I know.. :D


Not sure if you have heard this yet, but .......

































Anything is better than stock OE....:lol:

And yes please post you thoughts from what you had before.

I ordered the Rancho 9000XL with the MyRide wireless controller, but have not found a spot in the engine compartment to mount the controller and compressor. Anyone else have this installed?

Roy
2003 2500HD Duramax 4x4

the bottom bushings on my bilstein 5100's is junk i can see day light on top off bushing and they flared out at bottom of bushing creating a feeling in my steering wheel when i had my intermediate steering shaft replaced only worse so i am not happy with bilsteins. they only been on truck for a little over a year and i store it in the winter its a tar baby so no abuse or trailer pulling or drag racing . now i need 2 new front shocks back are fine. does bilstein have a warranty for these shocks?