I am going to level my 2002 1500 4x4 and I was going to buy new keys for it, but after doing a lot of searching on here I found out that just cranking your stock keys is the same as buying new ones so just do that and save the money. Is there any advantages to getting new keys or am I good staying with the stock ones?

Also I am going to replace my shocks and get 2 inch longer ones for the front on account of the leveling plus I believe they still are stock shocks and look pretty rusted so they probably need to be replaced anyway. Does anyone have any recommendations on shock brands? I heard that bilstein ones are pretty good.

 

Yes cranking your T bars is the same as getting new ones unless yours are rusted to sh*t lol. And yea bilstein is good as well as monroe, pro comp sometimes but I hear stay away from Rancho

 

Yep, both re-indexed keys (level kit) and cranking the existing ones do the same thing - exert pressure on the torsion bar to lift the front.

I have always used Rancho for off-road and love 'em. BTW '08, Rancho is owned by Tenneco as is Monroe. Tenneco also makes a white, generic, off-road shock that it sells to Pro Comp, Skyjacker, Rough Country, FabTech, etc. About any "off-road", white shock you see with a brand name sticker on it is gonna be a Tenneco shock.
If you want to stay away from Rancho, you want to stay away from all those too as they come out of the same plant.

Bilstein's have a great reputation, but I won't use them. Had a set on my 2nd Gen Ram, blew one off-road (not hard off-road, just hog huntin'). Wouldn't warranty the 3 month old shock that was obviously defective because they don't warrany their shocks "for off-road use", despite the fact they marketed this model as an "off-road shock". I can't blame anyone for buying a Bilstein, they are great shocks, but they lost me as a customer...

 

I have had 2 sets of Rancho's, both were a stiff ride. I moved to Bilsteins years ago and they have been outstanding. A great all-around shock that won't break the bank, but, opinions on shocks are like opinions on tires or lift kits or programmers, all just personal preference.

 

Yea I was just stating what I've read around the forum from time to time. I have no personal experience with Rancho as I've only had the stockers and the ones that came with my FabTech kit

 

the bilstein ones seem a little expensive. I am in college right now so a little tight on money, what is the best bang for my buck? How about this rancho, I know Hammer mentioned he liked them and others didn't and said it was stiff, its gotta be better than stock right?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RAN-RS5373/

 

The 5000 series are a little stiff, I think that's where you see the couple of negative posts on Rancho. People want to feel like they are in a Caddy when they are in a truck anymore, which is kinda the ride that Bilstein's give you.

But I had them on my 2nd Gen and liked them. But I tend to like a firmer, more truck-like ride. I have the Rancho RS9000Xs on my truck now (adjustable shock) and have them almost all the way to the firmest setting.

As long as you don't mind your truck riding like a truck, you'll like the RS5000s. Also look at Pro Comp ES9000s, they are basically the same shock and 4 Wheel Parts is always having a buy 3 get 1 free sale on them. I have Pro Comp ES3000s on my Grand Cherokee which is the hydrogen version (softer shock) and like them for a daily driver as well. If you tow/haul or off-road you'll be better with a more dense, nitrogen shock (Rancho RS5000, Rancho RS9000, Pro Comp ES9000, Monroe Sensa-Trac) but if it's more of a daily driver you are using more like a car, then you want a hydrogen shock (Pro Comp ES3000, Skyjacker Hydro, Monroe Sensa-trac Light)...

 

Also don't forget, after your level and your new to shocks get your truck aligned.

 

Okay I will look into the hydrogen ones probably as I use my truck mainly as a daily driver and am just going for looks right now. How do you specify on the 4 wheel website that you have a 2 inch lift for the front shocks like you can on Summits website? I couldn't find the buy 3 get 1 free deal, but found they offer packages of 4 that are basically at that price.

Yep I am planning on replacing my tires as well right after I do the level so I will have them do that when they put the tires on and hopefully its free since they are throwing on the tires.

Speaking of the tires, I was going to get the mickey thompson atz, but they are pretty expensive for me right now so I have been looking into the cooper zeons and have heard a lot of guys like those. Does anyone know what the treadlife is on them?

 

O never mind I found out how to specify the lift for the shocks, I was looking at the package of 4 shocks and not single ones so it wasn't letting me do it