Our 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Diesel has a 5" lift kit. I ordered Rancho shocks from Amazon. They sent RS55056 and they are 33.5" long. The Ranchos that are in it are 27" long. I think the original owner had those Ranchos installed as he had a camper on it. Then he added a 5" lift kit, but apparently left those shocks in it. We bought it in 2002 and it has always been a really rough ride. Rancho says the 55056 aren't for my truck, but multiple places I've checked say they are. I don't want to be unable to return them if they aren't right, but sure seems that they are. Appreciate all help and hints? Thanks

 

See if you can find specs on the stock shocks. Compressed height, an fully extended. Add your lift onto that, and that is the shock travel you need. Check the specs for the ones you have, see if they'll work.

 

I measured the shocks. The original Ranchos are 15" body, 19" compressed and 27" extended
the RS55056 are 18.5" body, 22" compressed and 33" extended
So it would appear that the original Ranchos were for stock height and the RS55056 are indeed for truck with a 4-6" lift kit.

 

I measured the shocks. The original Ranchos are 15" body, 19" compressed and 27" extended
the RS55056 are 18.5" body, 22" compressed and 33" extended
So it would appear that the original Ranchos were for stock height and the RS55056 are indeed for truck with a 4-6" lift kit.

 

If you look up your truck on the Rancho web site it will give you all the info you need. You will have to enter the amount of lift to get the correct shock.

 

Things just keep getting stranger. I installed Rancho RS500 series shocks on our 2002 Ram 2500 4WD. Wasn't easy to do. Drove it for the first time and going over a speed bump a front shock thumped. I asked Trend Auto about returning and they say that Rancho DOESN'T MAKE a shock that fits a 5" lifted truck. Their ad clearly fits 94-02 Ram with 4-6" LIft. So I am trying to determine if it has a lift in front or not. From the center of the wheel to the fender measures 25" in front and 28" in the back. Is it possible the rear there is no lift in the front? The spacer above the axle (between the axle and leaf spring) measures 5". I assumed this meant a 5' lift kit was installed. Was there a 2" or 3" spacer there originally, so the truck only has a shorter lift kit in it? Where can I get the factory measurements for height and spacer? Thanks.

 

Nope. That 5" block is stock. Came that way from the factory. Your truck likely isn't lifted at all.....

 

Thanks for all the help. What brand of shock would be recommended?

 

Billstein. Or KYB.... I think there is a thread about shocks in the FAQ/DIY section.

 

On my 2500 4x4, there's roughly 27" from hub to fender with 2,5" leveling kit and original (probably slightly sagged) springs. Don't have rear measurement as I have flatbed, but like HeyYou said, 5" block comes from the factory.