JHZR2
Staff member
My 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 was used to haul some decent loads. It has a custom welded aluminum bed, a flip-up fifth wheel trailer ball, air lift helper air bags, and shocks with helper springs.
I don’t know what brand, or what ratings the shocks are, I just know that they’re leaking. And they’re pretty harsh.
When driving with 2000-3000 lbs of building materials in it, it rides fine. It does get a bit out of control in the rear when unloaded, but that’s to be expected, especially since I have the air bags with 25-30 psi.
In the end all the shocks are worn, so I need to replace all four.
The best pic of the shocks is a zoom from another photo.
Top right corner FWIW.
So, what’s anyone’s recommendations for shocks? Don’t know that I’ll put 100k on this truck, so I don’t know that I want/need high end Bilsteins. But I also don’t want overseas trash.
I’m also not sure I need the helper shocks. I’m sure my bed is heavier than OE, but the truck was rated for a payload of 4040 pounds, so with a few thousand pounds in the back, I suspect all is well. And, that any replacement shocks without helper springs may better dampen the rear, and should be suited for that payload (assuming I select the ones for the truck with 8800lb gvwr, which of course I will).
Rockauto has Gabriel for $9 and then goes up from there. What’s a decent US made shock that I should install all around? And do I need to keep with the helper lper spring shocks?
I don’t know what brand, or what ratings the shocks are, I just know that they’re leaking. And they’re pretty harsh.
When driving with 2000-3000 lbs of building materials in it, it rides fine. It does get a bit out of control in the rear when unloaded, but that’s to be expected, especially since I have the air bags with 25-30 psi.
In the end all the shocks are worn, so I need to replace all four.
The best pic of the shocks is a zoom from another photo.
Top right corner FWIW.
So, what’s anyone’s recommendations for shocks? Don’t know that I’ll put 100k on this truck, so I don’t know that I want/need high end Bilsteins. But I also don’t want overseas trash.
I’m also not sure I need the helper shocks. I’m sure my bed is heavier than OE, but the truck was rated for a payload of 4040 pounds, so with a few thousand pounds in the back, I suspect all is well. And, that any replacement shocks without helper springs may better dampen the rear, and should be suited for that payload (assuming I select the ones for the truck with 8800lb gvwr, which of course I will).
