Ilovemountains

Since Im giving my 88 a thourough once over I decided to replace the RS9000shocks with a new set.

Im looking at Bilstein F4-B46-1215-H0 for the front lengths are 10.27"/15.86" and the standard Bilstein F4-B46-1140-HO for the rear.

I also thought about OME but dont know anything about them. I got a price on N94's and the N98's and have heard good things about them as well and their price and warranty is on point with Bilstein.

I also read about Doetsch shocks Im thinking the 9000 series or the 8000 series but cant find part numbers or pricing on them. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

I can get the OME or the Bilsteins shipped for right at $300, I think the Doetsch will be about $100 cheaper and if they are as good Id love to give them a try but I cant find any info on lenght or models and with the 2" lift springs in the rear and BJ spacers up front I want to buy the correct shocks this time around and not have to space them like the Ranchos! Thanks again, Matt

TNRabbit

KYB GasAdjust and good value for $$$, and Bilstein are the best I've run on my truck. That's what I'd recommend for excellent control & long life.

swaycleveland

im running bils after weeks of searching KYB is made by monroe ( which is not a bad thing but the cheaper monroe rancho kyb procomp all use the same crappy seals and leak)
i choose the bils because the deal i got on them ( could not be passed up )
but it came down to the OME or bils in over all preformance
my understanding is the bils have a firmer ride then the OME but both offer great ride and long life
as for the Doetsch i did really look into them but i hear they are good shocks
my .02$ is for a firmer ride go with the bils for a softer ride OME

swapped89

Im running bilstein 5150 the kind with trhe resevoir attatched and the have 14" travel. and both of my fronts are leakin one after only one month, and the other after two months. they are set up so that they will never bottom out on themselves and cant fully extend. My friend is running the 5150 12"ers and he is having the same problem. They dont feel like they are getting any softer and stiffer. You can just see oil around the bottoms of them. bad seals i think.

Matt16

OMEs are designed to be run with OME springs. I've got the shocks and springs in the rear and just the OME shocks in the front (stock T-bars). it ride well when empty, but rides really nicely when loaded down with 1-200lbs in the back.

Compared to the Procomps, the truck doesn't feel as "sporty", but its way less bone jarring. PC shocks are OME springs was really rough.

Ilovemountains

Well after reading and reading I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Bilsteins to replace the RS9000X's I got them shipped for about $290... Ive used Bils before on other vehicles and was very very happy with them, I was going to try the OME's but after reading that they are built by Monroe Australia by many many sites and having personal experience with Monroe shocks I decided to go with the tried and true Biletein HD's... I did find Edelbrocks on sale for like $30 each with free shipping at Edelbrock.com but couldnt find any input on them... Im sure Ill be happy

PunchingKoalas

KYB is not made by Monroe... They're is made in Japan

Ilovemountains

OME are made by Monroe...Not KYB

swaycleveland

KYB has shocks that are made in Japan but not all shocks they make are made there
the also have a plant here in the US, and like most companies now a days sub out work to larger companies to have things ( in this case shocks ) made to thier specs

PunchingKoalas

Yep... they have a plant in Indiana, and sub work to other vendors but I confirmed with a buddy that is a rep for Monroe that they make nothing for KYB.

swaycleveland

ok my bad

PunchingKoalas

No worries! I'm sure you're having fun in all the snow lately in Cleveland.

red87

OME is not made by monroe. ARB buys the shock bodies from monroe and then builds them to their specs.