Aftermarket shocks for PowerWagon suspension?

[RAM_Designs]

Hey guys, looking for some insight here as it seems like there are just tons of options out there, with all kinds of different specs as far as what fits what, etc. I'm looking to replace my factory shocks soon (just something I do after 100k miles regardless). I'm wanting to get something that is a little better quality than the ugly blue/yellow Billstein shocks, but certainly don't want to break the bank either.

I guess my question is, what are you HD PowerWagon guys running when you ditch the factory shocks? What has worked well for you?

 

[Punishher7]

Kings are a popular choice but they are expensive.

Bilstein 5100s would be an upgrade from the stock 4600s for relatively cheap.

Fox fall somewhere in the middle I think.


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[RAM_Designs]

Kings are a popular choice but they are expensive.

Bilstein 5100s would be an upgrade from the stock 4600s for relatively cheap.

Fox fall somewhere in the middle I think.


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I had been looking at the 5100’s, is it simple “plug and play” type install on those?

 

[Punishher7]

I had been looking at the 5100’s, is it simple “plug and play” type install on those?

Yes, they’re just normal, slightly better shocks.


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[Elevated 2013]

I had been looking at the 5100’s, is it simple “plug and play” type install on those?

I just put a set of Bilstein 5100s on my friend's 13 2500 Power Wagon. He went with a 4" lifted version up front and stock in the rear and he said that they've really helped his ride quality a lot. His is mainly used as a DD but he does want to do some off roading once he gets his front end tightened up and aligned. He got his through 4WD parts and I think he said that he paid about $90 a piece.

After talking to a guy at 4WD Parts, he said that Fox and Bilstein are basically the same shock with different housings and decals. He said 1 of them is aluminum and the other is steel or something to that effect. What it came down to is that you're basically paying for the Fox name.

 

[RAM_Designs]

I just put a set of Bilstein 5100s on my friend's 13 2500 Power Wagon. He went with a 4" lifted version up front and stock in the rear and he said that they've really helped his ride quality a lot. His is mainly used as a DD but he does want to do some off roading once he gets his front end tightened up and aligned. He got his through 4WD parts and I think he said that he paid about $90 a piece.

After talking to a guy at 4WD Parts, he said that Fox and Bilstein are basically the same shock with different housings and decals. He said 1 of them is aluminum and the other is steel or something to that effect. What it came down to is that you're basically paying for the Fox name.

I was looking here and just got confused once it gave me options for X amount of lift. I'm assuming since the Power Wagon suspension is 2" higher than normal, if I wanted to keep my ride height the same I would need to order the 2" lift for the front and rear shocks...or am I just as completely lost as I think I am with this?

https://www.unlimitedtruck.com/bils...UwQVjmPLhq5T10HFOhn1g56FAizjZdyRoCU4AQAvD_BwE

 

[RAM_Designs]

Gah, I don't know why I posted this in the "exterior" section...

 

[Elevated 2013]

My friend had a leveling kit on his so he needed the 4” lift shocks. So, yes, you probably only need the 2” lift shocks.


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[RAM_Designs]

My friend had a leveling kit on his so he needed the 4” lift shocks. So, yes, you probably only need the 2” lift shocks.


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Thats what I figured was going on. Now I’m reading vs threads comparing the 5100’s to the Rancho 9000’s with the adjustable levels of stiffness. They’re both basically the same price.

 

[Elevated 2013]

Will you be doing much off-roading?? If so, go with the Bilsteins. Rancho are more on road shocks.


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[RAM_Designs]

Will you be doing much off-roading?? If so, go with the Bilsteins. Rancho are more on road shocks.


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Zero off roading, I’ll look into the Ranchos, although I hate the red color. The 5100’s are much more visually appealing to me. I do carry a heavy load in the bed from time to time, but I assume a quick adjustment of the rear shocks would be an easy with the RS9000’s.

 

[Elevated 2013]

I have Ranchos on my 13 1500 Sport with a 4” lift and before I replaced his shocks he said I was driving a Cadillac. I get a smooth ride for a truck but I still feel the road pretty well but I keep my BF Goodrich AT KO2 35x12.5x17 tires set to 50 psi so that I do feel the road. I was considering Bilsteins as I had them on several sports cars and loved the way they handled but this is a different beast all together. I’ve run Ranchos on a lot of trucks and always liked the ride but never did a lot of off roading.


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[RAM_Designs]

I ended up grabbing a set of Skyjacker M95’s, heard some good things and decided to give them a shot. If I don’t like them for whatever reason I’ll just sell them and get some RS9000’s.

 

[RAM_Designs]

I actually ended up canceling the order of the Skyjacker M95's and went with the Bilstein 5100's with the 2" lift (since PW suspension is 2" higher than stock), due to talking to the guys at ShockSurplus. I was chatting with them on facebook, and asked about what would be the better option with daily highway driving being my main concern. He told me "I would suggest the Bilstein 5100s then, i think they've perfected the monotube shock for lifted trucks. The m95 is a re-branded monroe reflex shock, which aren't bad, but the Bilsteins are bulletproof in the longevity department".

 

[Elevated 2013]

Before you put them on make sure the hardware and bushings are in the box. None of the shocks that we got for my buddy’s truck had hardware or bushings and the front shocks ended up being a different thread than the old shocks. Just wanted to give you a heads up.


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[ram1500rsm]

Will you be doing much off-roading?? If so, go with the Bilsteins. Rancho are more on road shocks.


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The 5100 series from Bilsteins are just street monotube shocks for Jeeps/trucks and suvs. Rancho 9000 series are twin tubes, 7000 series are monotubes . The 9000s will ride better on the street. You can drive on dirt roads will all of them but you won’t be going fast with any of them in the dirt for long before they will start fading. Crawling and driving normally on your local offroad trail will be fine on either choice.

 

[Gotjeepomaha]

My 2018 Tradesman is fairly stiff, it has the base shocks. I hadn't considered the Rancho's, I tow my Jeep LJ, to this is a driver only. I need to upgrade soon, my back can't take it.