Shocks

[johnnylightning86]

Hello all, I am new to the forum and have a 2012 Ram 1500 Express regular cab. I am trying to figure out what the best shocks are for a smoother ride.

While I really love the truck, I have reached my tolerance level with the jittery bouncy ride it has over the slightest of road imperfections that I think in part is due to the huge tires it has on it for the 20" rims. It was worse when it still had the stock Goodyear tires on it and I replaced those with Bridgestone Duellers which made a noticeable improvement, but its still not enough even if I lower the air pressure a few lbs. I mostly drive around town, to and from work, and on the highway some, so I only use it occasionally for hauling a load or pulling a trailer.

I have been looking at the following units:
1. Rancho RS9000 adjustable shocks - which seems to get raving reviews, but they are a little pricey.
2. Bilstein 5100 series
3. KYB Gas-A-Just
4. Monroe Max-Air

Was wondering if anyone has installed any of these and how well they worked.

Thanks!

 

[RAMYOU]

if u want it smooth on the road and u dont really care much about offroad and hi speed performance, just buy hydrolic (not gas charged) cheap shocks. They are GENERALLY much softer and plush riding.

 

[SwollenMonkey16]

The Rancho shocks are bad ass. It's awesome how you can adjust the ride type in seconds. Also I'm not completely familiar with the bilsteins but with the Rancho's you can buy the full strut and spring assembly already together so just take out of the box and install. Obviously if you have a 2wd like me then you don't have to worry about the struts

 

[jag1886]

The KYB Gas Ajust are great shocks if you like handling. They do ride harder than the stock junkers. I did a set of these and the front and rear Hellwig sway bars and my truck handles a 100% better.

 

[johnnylightning86]

Thanks for the responses. I was not aware about the difference between gas-charged and hydrolic shocks - so that is good to know. Don't think I have ever had to buy shocks before being as concerned about the ride.

Sounds like I need to stay away from the KYB's as REALLY don't want it to ride any stiffer than it already is. As for the hydrolic shocks, my only concern there would be when I am pulling a trailer or hauling a load and if the rear would sink too much.

I am not into off-roading, nor do I drive the truck hard other than sometimes having to accelerate hard to get on the highway. I live in Texas and the speed limit is 75 mph where I get on hwy to go to work. But the 5.7L Hemi can more than handle that task.

If I want to have fun with performance and handling, I have an 86 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z CS with the Carroll Shelby handling package for that.

 

[jag1886]

I have an 86 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z CS with the Carroll Shelby handling package for that.

Well there you go.

 

[carl0]

Bilstein 5100 is a bit stiff so I recommend Rancho's for smoother ride quality.