I had two monroes up front and at two years one was leaking and the other completely shot. But it was the cheap set so....

 

Upon further research, it seems the unofficial stance on the internet is that Monroe, Rancho and Procomp are all made by Tenneco. Also, the RS9000 and ES9000 are the exact same shock. So it looks like next payday will be shock buying time.

 

That is correct, Tenneco (parent company of both Monroe and Rancho) makes most of the generic, white "off-road" shocks offered by many of the off-road & lift companies.

The E9000 is not an exact copy of the RS9000, but more closely resembles the RS5000 series of Rancho shocks. A twin-tube, nitrogen filled, non-adjustable shock. Much the same as the Skyjacker Nitro and the Rough Country Nitro 9000 seriess are (also Tenneco shocks).

The ES3000 series offers the same twin-tube design but are filled with hydrogen which is less dense than nitrogen and is better equipped for a lighter vehicle, just like the Skyjacker Hydro and Rough Country Hydo 8000 line.

Unlike all of the above twin-tube shocks, the RS9000s utilize tri-tubes and has a much larger body, enabling it to hold more fluid. You want the ProComp that is most like the RS9000 series then it's the MX6 shock.

I think these companies put the 9000 in the model number hoping to lure some of the guys looking at RS9000x shocks but see these at a fraction of the cost.

There is nothing wrong with the RS5000 and it's clones though, solid shock, I had them on my 2nd Gen Ram.

 

my 9000s barely fit in the hole under the coil where the shock mounts. They were more than twice as wide as the monroes

 

All great information
4wheelparts is running a sale on the ES9000 w/boots for $154. I just hope the sale lasts until next Friday when I can finally pick them up!