Survey: the best shocks for my K5 4X4

[TC70C10]

I've got an 81 K5 Blazer with dual front shocks. What's the shock of choice. KYB, Rancho, Monroe??

Tim

[TX_Mudder]

First off, the dual shocks are not needed and you should run a single shock. Dual shocks will make your ride very stiff. The factory dual shocks are valved very lightly to keep from jarring your fillings out, but the aftermarket ones you put in there will not be. You should runa single front shock.
I just got a set of Doetsch Tech shocks. They cost $33 each. They come highly recommended, but I haven't mounted them yet.
Don't buy Rancho 5000s.
If you have lots of money, buy rancho 9000s or Procomp 6-ways (I forget the model name.)

Also, I would not recommend just buying the shocks by just telling the part guy that you have a 2" lift or whatever - you need to measure.
Measure the total length of your shocks (front and back) when your truck is just sitting there - that is you middle travel length.
Then go to http://www.doetsch-shocks.com/trucks.php and find a shock that would fit.
For example, if your middle travel length is 25" and they sold a shock that is 20" compressed and 30" extended, then that would work great.

HTH
-- Mike

[mike reeh]

i recommend the adjustable rancho's or if they make em for our trucks yet- the adjustable pro-comps.. I DO NOT recommend a 9K series shock, it will ride like a terd (ask me how I know)

the reason I recommend adjustable is so you can adjust em wayyy down for 90% of driving... I would not go with the monroe, simply because i have not heard anything about them performance wise, ever. procomp and rancho are both good choices but beware of too heavy a shock! thats the mistake I made and am regretting it now.

JUST my $0.02, others may disagree..

Mudder makes a good point about measuring. The procomps for a "four inch" lift were wayyyy too short for my truck with a "four inch lift"

good luck! and let us know what you decide to do..

mike

[Prerunner1982]

mike, what 9k series are you talking about? the Rancho RS9000s are the adjustable ones..??

[TC70C10]

Ditch the quad shocks in the front ??

Tim

[solidaxel]

One word.............BILSTEIN

[Captkaos]

I ran Rancho 9000's on my '81 4x4 and I think I ran them on #3 setting on the street. I didn't use the quad setup, I only used 1 shock. If you are going aftermarket, I would recommend not using the second set in front.

[mike reeh]

Originally posted by Prerunner1982
mike, what 9k series are you talking about? the Rancho RS9000s are the adjustable ones..??

I knew as soon as I submitted my reply that someone would catch me on that I see somewhat of a trend in the numbering conventions of truck shocks.. Im talking about 9K series in general (assuming there are other "9000" series besides rancho and procomp)... EXcluding the rancho's because they are adjustable (and only for that reason)...

make more sense?

mike

[1976K5CHALET]

I've been impressed with my RS9000's....ride quality was immediately noticeable....

On the Quad issue....if you crawl the rocks...singles are best...i don't agree with duals being worthless though. If you read the article from peterson's from 1979 in "The History Of The Blazer 69-81"...they did an extensive road test starting with bone stock and ending with duals at each corner on a timed course recording shock tempature....worth reading.

Azblazer

[Prerunner1982]

Originally posted by mike reeh


I knew as soon as I submitted my reply that someone would catch me on that I see somewhat of a trend in the numbering conventions of truck shocks.. Im talking about 9K series in general (assuming there are other "9000" series besides rancho and procomp)... EXcluding the rancho's because they are adjustable (and only for that reason)...

make more sense?

mike

no.. but its just me.... im stupid..

[TC70C10]

thanks for the reference to the article, I'll try to look it up.

Tim

[TX_Mudder]

Originally posted by TC70C10
Ditch the quad shocks in the front ??

Tim

Yes, ditch them.
The shocks the factory put up there are valved much lighter (softer) than any aftermarket ones you will buy.
If you want an aftermarket shock, then you really should go to single front shocks.
Yes, you can buy uber expensive shocks that will be lightly valved (for desert racing) that you could fit up front and yes, there would be less risk of shock fade because of it. But it you don't run 80 mph in the desert, you won't need the added shock fade resistance.
Don't buy Rancho 5000s whatever you do.
-- Mike

[Prerunner1982]

whats wrong with the rancho 5000s? thats what i am running...of course they were free and are for an s-10 blazer...

[mike reeh]

one other thing if youre just looking for a stock replacement (which doesnt sound to be the case) then goto pep boys. They will have the correct shocks for dual factory front shocks.


mike