Recently found your site, registered, and can't quite break away from it - nice job!

Had a 2000 PSD, sold a few years ago, now looking to buy again. With Ford's de-contenting since, and issues I've been reading about on dedicated PSD sites, am seriously considering DMax (4x4/CC/DRW/LT/3.73).

Driven both 05's, Ford's ride seems to be much smoother, more compliant vs stock DMax (bed seems to bounce around more, more harsh overall). Had Rancho adjustables/Ride Rite airbag set-up on previous PSD, would look to do the same with DMax.

Truck to be used 25-35% with 4K lb slide-in camper, remainder empty. For anyone else with this set-up/use, did you experience noticable improvement in ride/handling characteristics (loaded & empty) from stock?

Also, does Bilstein make adjustable shocks like Rancho (haven't seen any mention in these posts, though may not have gotten to them yet).

Thanks in advance!

yea, they do make adjustable shocks but they are very expensive. Really the Bilstien 5100s are more than up to the job. I have them on my lifted Z71 and they are the best thing that I could have done to my truck. It rides far better than stock and handles better. I highly recomend the Bilstiens

and welcome to the site!

I had a 6.0 F350 right before this truck. The ride isnt even comparable. Even the wife thinks my 2500HD rides like a log wagon with no suspsenion in rear and like on jello up front.

Bilstiens are great, send me some. Also some weight in the back makes it ride better. The couple days I had my truck before I got my toolbox and junk in it the ride seemed a lot bouncier and harder.

Just installed my Bilsteins tonight, and they DO make a huge difference! Only 43k miles on my 11 month old 2004 2500HD and its amazing. The old fronts were completely shot, and the rears still had a little life...
You will need two 21mm (i used a box and socket), one 15 mm (ratchet box) and one 17mm (ratchet box)....and a small prybar (screwdriver type) in order to wiggle the front shocks into place by yourself...
Have fun!

I have the Rancho 9000's and Firestone Ride Rites on my current truck and had the same ones on my 2002 GMC 2500HD which was an 8.1 /Alli and the ride improvement was dramatic when I put them on the first time. So much so that my sis in law commented on the ride difference after I installed them on the 02. When I moved up to the 05 I just moved the shocks and air bags to the new one, and it was a noticable improvement over the stock ones which were 1 week old on the 2005 truck.
One of the best purchases I have made on my trucks has been the Rancho's.:ro)