Shocks..... Who's Running What??

Post by **Hobcobble** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:35 am

Time to buy some shocks for the '68 W200 I've been
re-building. This truck probably will probably see
more pavement & gravel road time than bouncing up
& down trails. I know a lot of folks like the Rancho
5000's.... anyone running these or the NAPA Gas-Grande
shock?.... I'm not looking to spend a mint. Also, it
looks like I have to remove the inner fender to slide
the shock on the upper tower.... what the f*ck??
John

RussRoth · Post by **RussRoth** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:11 am

John,

Can't help you on shocks as I just got some decent ones from a cousin who was working auto paarts at the time. I don't recall what they were. I do think I was able to install them without taking off the inner fender but it was not much fun.

Post by **Hobcobble** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 10:41 am

Thanks Russ

.... maybe some more 4X folks
will chime in too. I know I've heard a lot of good
things about Rancho 5000's.... they're kind of spendy
though [$40/$50 depending on where you're looking].
John

thorman · Post by **thorman** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:15 am

John, I've seen them on eBay for $150 for all four with free shipping. That's about the best price ive seen. Rear shocks: part# RS5116, front: RS5114, 0"-2" lift.

I haven't bought mine yet, but that's what I plan on going with.

Post by **oneowner71** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:21 pm

I put Gabriels on the back to stop my wheel hop problems (don't tell my folks) but they didn't do much for anything. I have Ranchos on the front. They stiffened up the ride a bit, but still seem to handle well. I didn't have to pull the inner fenders, just the cardboard mud boot at the bottom of the shocks (yes, these were factory original shocks). Pretty simple swap. If moneys a big issue, find an inexpensive pair. If not, I'd go with the rancho... I think they are worth the money. I did run into the problem that the parts house had the wrong number for the shocks on the front. Summit racing had the right one, but I took my old ones in to match the travel. I remember the number posted above, but it strikes me as the wrong number (they will probably fit, but limit your travel about 2 inches over what I had). I can get you part numbers when I get home...

MountainMoparRobin · Post by **MountainMoparRobin** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 6:34 pm

Hobblecobble
you probably know I have the Rancho 5000 on mine, to me they are well worth the money, I have been told the 9000 adjustable's are better for the 4x4's, I didn't take off the inner fender when I put mine on.

thorman · Post by **thorman** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:52 pm

I got those part numbers from Rancho, they did mention, "I.D. of shock is smaller than mounting pin & requires lubrication & extra effort for installation," in regards to the rear shocks, as a footnote.

Post by **Hobcobble** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 8:20 pm

Great information

..... thanks everyone!
John

JimE · Post by **JimE** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 10:11 pm

John, I installed the 5000s on the rear of Howard, and have put them all around on my Ramcharger. Great shocks, and your looking at around $40. ea.

I bought my RC Ranchos through Checker Auto here in the west, their national website is:
http://www.partsamerica.com
They had the best price on the Ranchos. the I.D. situation is easily resolved with asssembly lube.

If your going to keep the truck primarily for daily driving and not intending to tow, offroad or load it down much. The less expensive Gabriels and Monroes, and I saw Mark D.(I can vision some of the newbies saying, who is that?} mention Heclkethorn, may be the way to go. Jim

Post by **POWWAG** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 5:21 am

I run RS5000s on my 67, and RS9000s (adjustable) on my 77 and 2001 Wrangler. Don't buy Edlebrock IAS they're crap! Put a set on the Jeep when I lifted it thinking I'd try them and a year later they're shot. I run hydro shocks on trucks, I think gas shocks are only good for cars maybe. Rancho twice a year has a buy 3 get 1 free sale. Thats what I did on the Jeep.

Don