I just bought an 85 truck with a 3" suspension lift. Drove it from New Mexico to Missouri. Whether its loaded down or empty, the ride is excessively harsh (yes, I've driven a stock 85 yota). The shocks are bad (I checked) and I'm wondering what brand and length ya'll would recommend? I don't want to spend an excessive amount of money on them, but also not looking to get a cheap/junk set. Thanks,
K

 

Welcome to YT.
Do you know what kind of springs you have on it? How many leaves in the back? Fewer, thicker leaves will ride way harsher than more, thinner leaves will. Cheap springs will give lift and a very stiff ride.
I haven't done shocks on my truck in so long, I don't know what is the good stuff these days. I've used Skyjacker softride before and Explorer pro comp but don't know exactly what's out there now.
Use the search button on shocks for your suspension and lift height. You should find a ton of info and opinions.
Also consider how you are going to use it. If you want a lot of flex you are going to have to move your upper shock mounts up and use quite a bit longer shocks.

 

I'm guessing the cheap ones at least in the front, as their is only 3 thick springs. The rear has 5, two thicker ones on the bottom, 3 thinner on top. It does sit level. I'm going to use the truck for camping and as an all around daily driver, not a rock crawler, so flex beyond stock isn't all that important. Would like to replace the dead shocks first, then possibly new springs, at least in the front. I tried searching for my particular application, and found nothing specific on brand/length. Never bought shocks for something like this before... You say Pro Comp and 4wheelparts.com lists a few different ones that might work, ES3000, ES1000, and MX-6.

 

I've read about the MX-6 and think they are pretty good.
Did your truck squat when you loaded it down? The springs may be too stiff but I have seen a frozen shock several times before. It wouldn't compress and was trying to rip up the shock mount.

 

I was pretty happy with the KYB GasAdjust shocks I had on my '85 when I first lifted it:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/4R_suspe...ml#SpringSpecs

Great on the road and on dirt/gravel roads, but they were a little soft for rock crawling.

 

I've been running KYB Gas Adjust on my offroad VW's for years and like them very much. Looks like you have the same spring setup as my truck, so I'll go with the KYB's. Thanks all for the help.
K