Hi all,

New here. I've a 2007 Dakota, Quad Cab, 4x4, 32K miles, new tires, balanced twice. Trying to smooth out the ride. On a 'smooth' road, I'd call the ride Ok, but anything other than perfectly smooth you definitely feel the road and there is a slight vibration. Not much worse with speed. Used to feel the vibration in the truck body and the steering wheel until I got the front shocks replaced (with OEM's all they'd do) under warranty (too bouncy - they were shot) and now bouncyness and steering wheel vibration gone but still get some truck/road vibration. Dealer won't help any more - says everything normal.

So - thinking of getting new rear shocks from www.shockwarehouse.com as a low-cost thing to try. Do you think:

1) Rear shocks would help? (rear of truck not 'bouncy' though)
2) Monroe or Rancho? (some posts here said they give firmer rides - but I want smoother).

Replacing the front shocks again with non-oem would be next, but thats far more expensive.

Thanks for any advice!

 

if you go with the complete rancho for the truck, you get better frt struts an better rear shocks. an the combo deal is pretty cheap

 

I've been very happy with my Ranchos front and rear. Ride is way better. That said, it's still a truck with some pretty hefty leafs in the rear. It's going to ride a bit rough. I've heard of guys removing the overload leaf in the rear, but I'm not willing to compromise towing or payload capacity to get a smoother ride.

 

I've also got the Ranchos all around. Yes, they are a bit stiffer but I feel that the ride is still smooth. Much better than bouncing around on every little bump.

 

Thanks all. So what about Monroe? Would they give slightly a smoother ride than Rancho for the back? I'm just trying to make it ride more like my 2002 Dakota which seemed much smoother.

Thanks again! Love everything else about the truck except the ride.

 

It sure can't hurt to change any shock they are all cheap junk from the factory

 

I think you'll get a softer ride with the Monroes, and a stiffer ride with the Ranchos. I went with Ranchos and am extremely glad that I did. It's not a rough ride at all, but you will be happier with either of them.

 

You can't go wrong with the Ranchos. I have seen nothing but glowing reviews. I would not want the ride any softer.

 

Thanks all! Ranchos ordered for the back. I'll let you know if that helps any.

 

Ok - Ranchos came and are on the back. Well.....I'm not happy with them. The ride is much stiffer. Bouncyness gone from the back, I can tell they're working, but road vibrations seem much worse back there. Tires were already balanced twice. Any ideas what to try next? Vibration definitely coming from back. At speed (50Mph +) its smooth... slower than that vibrations start.

Help (-: