I would like a more comfortable ride in my truck, this might be blasphemy for some here. I want to know if changing the socks would help. When I hit a small bump on the road I find it rather harsh and abusive to the truck also. I am positive I still have the original shocks.

 

What brand & size tires are you running? LT (6 or more side plies) will have a harsher ride than passenger tires.

I highly recommend Bilstein HD, unless you want to just go with OEM Tokico (sp?).

 

I believe the tires are standard light duty truck tires. Cooper discoverer atr my only complaint is they love to pick up gravel.

 

The bilstein hd heavy duty right? So it may be too stiff for what I an looking for. If you are using these shocks on a pickup let me know how it rides and takes bumps.

 

HD yes, heavy duty. They have a VERY compliant ride while maintaining EXCELLENT control. I haven't found any shock that is better at over twice the price of the Bilsteins. Plus, they outlast other shocks 3 to one or more.

 

Where in md are you? I used to live in knoxville tn now I am in martinsburg wv

 

I'm originally from Sparta, TN; currently live in Southern MD (Lusby).

 

We would run the Old Man Emu shocks... We find they are more compliant than the Bilsteins and they are not that expensive. As a daily driver, that is what we recommend. Bilsteins are great though and we do recommend them as well. We just like the valving better in the Old Man Emu better.

 

I've never tried them but heard they are really good. At twice the price, I'd hope so~

I can get Bilsteins for @ $65 each; cheapest I've seen OME is @ $118 each....

 

look into the "rancho 5000" i put the on my 88 and there great

 

At $84.50 each they are not that bad... You get what you pay for too. We spent $2,200.00 each for the rear shocks on our Tundra... So by weight of comparison, that is why we recommend Old Man Emu for daily drivers. Plus they have great corrosion protection and really great bushings that are quiet. Part numbers ARBN98 for the front and ARBN94 for the rear. They have better compression control than the Bilsteins and a lot more rebound.

 

As for the other brands... well... they were awesome 20 years ago. A lot has changed in 20 years, and they have not changed very much of anything.

 

i agree with you "pirates" like i said still i think he rancho 5000 re still great products they dont need to change the design or product its been great for so lon and still now but u are right alot of companies dont bother changing there products and there is newer and better stuff out there now lol its just gunna cost u a arm ad leg to get it

 

Yes, your right about that! Off road driving has really changed from 30 years ago... Even 15 years ago Rancho was doing OK... There are just different thoughts with valving that they are not keeping up with. They control chassis movement with compression, not rebound. It "feels" heavy duty... but you just do not have the same control. For the most part, low pressure emulsion shocks are like the dinosaurs... they are great for a park it and show it truck or one that does not see over 5 mph... LOL

 

I run the adjustable ranchos, and I'm happy with them. I can make the ride soft or hard to better suit my driving needs!

 

They are a great shock seeing as how they change the rebound and the compression!

 

I bought my truck a year ago and the previous owner put on a new set of Monroe Sensatrac's. They are great! It rides very nice on the road and soaks up the bumps in the desert.

They might not be as cool and Bilsteins or Old Man Emu, but they certainly get the job done!

 

how about shock boots? yes or no? and why? I'll be getting shocks soon and want a shock that is smooth at freeway speed with little surface inperfections like on the road or a slow speed bump, but as speed picks up on a rough bumpy country dirt/gravel road and have it's valving self adjusts accordingly and for around $200 for set 4 for my 93 4wd truck with empty bed.

 

You should also take a look at your springs. On an '88 they may have sagged enough to leave you with too little travel. Check to see how much room you have between the bumpstop and the snubber like in this pic:


The above pic is from the site of YT member ZUK that shows an effective and inexpensive solution to saggy rear leaf springs.
http://www.gearinstalls.com/dc.htm

Another option is to replace the leaf springs entirely. First though determine if it is needed. Shocks won't help harsh bottoming out if the springs are worn. They are only designed to dampen the movement. If you only have 2-4 inches between your bumpstop and snubber you should consider addressing the springs as well as the shocks.

Good luck.

 

maybe a little sag, I loaded 1000 pounds of pellets last week I never bottomed out.