I've posted this on a couple other forums already, so if you've already read or replied to this somewhere else, thank you.

I'm getting new shocks for my '98 Ram QC 1500 4x4 and I'm interested in the following: 1) Edelbrock Performer IAS, 2) Rancho RSX, or 3) Koni Special Series Truck Shocks.

Does anyone have experience with any of these? If so what did you like / dislike. Are there any other shocks that you might recommend? I'm looking for some shocks that have good highway manners on my daily driver, but can perform nicely offroad when needed.

I'm probably going to make a choice next week, so any help is greatly appreciated.

 

I have tried Skyjacker and Pro-Comp shocks on mine. The bushings in the Skyjacker wore out in a matter of months. Tried to get Skyjacker to replace them but it was not covered under warranty. It took a while to find replacements but finally found them...they wore out quickly too. (Maybe a problem with the shocks???). So I went with the Pro-comp. 4wheelparts.com has a very good deal on these. A much larger shock, eyes and bushings on this one. I have had them on for a few months now. I am very happy with these. If you go with Rancho, I heard these were the same as a Monroe shock. (Monroe owns Rancho.) The Edlebrock are pricey, but you get what you pay for...

 

Which pro comps do you have? I have pro comp ES 3000's on it now, they came with my lift kit. I don't care for them because they make my truck ride rough as hell on the rough highways around here. And I'm about to make a 2600 mile round trip on interstates, and with these shocks I have now, I know it's gonna be a miserable ride. I'm interested in these 3 because they have variable valving, which is like two different types of shocks, right?

 

I think I have the 3000's...not sure. But I do not do lots of highway riding either. The inertia valves on the shock do sort of give you a two ride option. If you are looking in that direction, then go with the Rancho 9000's. You can adjust your ride comfort on these. In my experience, most, if not all, off-road shocks ride stiff. The on-road shocks are a little less stiff with the exception of the sport shocks. I am thinking most aftermarket shocks ride stiffer than stock. I do have a Durango with the Monroe Sensi-Trac and these ride very smooth, but you will have a time looking for this type of shock with a 3 inch lift. That is a whole other story. Can you find Edlebrocks for a Dodge with a 3 inch lift. 2 inches I could see using a stock height, but 3???

 

Actually, I'm planning to take my lift off, so it'll be stock height once again. I'm sick of breaking stuff on my newer truck, so i figure that if it's stock i won't beat on it too hard.

 

Do tell...what are the drawbacks of the lift? What kind of things are you breaking? I have considered the lift, just cannot bring myself to buy one yet because of the reviews.

 

It's not that the lift is causing things to break, it's that i drive my truck like an *** offroad. The breakage is totally my doing. I've probably spent between $2000 and $2500 fixing stuff that i've messed up 4wheeling with it, and it's all because i have this mentality that the truck is invinceable because it looks so big and mean.

It drives and handles better than stock with the lift, but i think that's because something wasn't adjusted correctly in the front-end when i got the truck, and lifting it 3" made up for it. I haven't had any problems at all with the lift, and it wasn't that hard to install. I did it with no help and a hydraulic lift in 2 afternoons. However, if I were to do it again I would spend the extra money to get new rear spring packs instead of the black and add-a-leaf that I got.

I only have the 3" pro comp lift, with the 33" SSR's on 16x10's, the tires would rub bad on the front bumper when turning while the suspension is getting a workout. I now have 35x12.50x15 BFG AT's on 15x8 black steel wheels and they barely rub at all. I'm guessing that it's because the rim's are narrower, but have the same backspacing.