Need Recommendation on Front Shocks

kacharley · 01-14-2007, 07:03 PM

I have a 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 5.9 Diesel TWO WHEEL Drive Mega Quad Cab with a 2 inch leveling kit in the front only. I can not seem to come up with an adjustable shock for the front. I have Rancho 9000's in the rear and would like to use a Rancho in the front, but everyone is telling me you can not with the front lifted/leveled 2 inches. Big problem is most everything I look up is for a 4WD and not 2WD. Is their something out there in a Rancho that would fit? If not, what would.

75K30 · 01-15-2007, 09:57 AM

You should be able to find a 9000 from Rancho that will fit. Unfortunately lately most parts counter guys only go by what they see on a puter screen, and never take the time to cross reference a few numbers, or take the time to look up physical demensions to find a part that will fit.
First thing that you will need to know, is how the shock is mounted, i.e. loops. or studs. Then you will need to know the compressed length, and the extended length of the shock that you will be replacing. Easy to figure out if you have the old one (adjust for the leveling kit). The last and very important part is the diameter of the shock body, if this is a limiting factor (on the Dodge, i don't think it is), this will determine if the new shock will fit. Then with this info, ask to borrow a book from the shop you are going to purchase the shock from. All of the parts books from Rancho have every one of these demensions. Select a pair that will fit, and viola, a pair of shocks that probably were designed for another application, but will work for yours. Do make sure that you select a shock that is for a full size truck, and not one for a Toyota or something little like that. These will be valved differently, and they will wear out prematurely due to the one tons weight difference. I know there is a shock out there for you (9000). Looks like you are gonna have to do most of the leg work though. Hopefully the parts guy will learn a lesson from you about how to use his / her head to locate / cross-reference parts. Good luck.

kacharley · 01-16-2007, 07:50 AM

Thanks. I was able to get the extended ride height of the shock that was in there and the extended length, but did not get the fully compressed dimension since we did not take the shock out. Probably need to do that before we go much further. Thanks for your help.

Chevy808 · 01-16-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Unfortunately lately most parts counter guys only go by what they see on a puter screen, and never take the time to cross reference a few numbers, or take the time to look up physical demensions to find a part that will fit.

^^^I second that^^^

01-14-2007, 07:03 PM	#1
kacharley Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Need Recommendation on Front Shocks I have a 2006 Dodge RAM 3500 5.9 Diesel TWO WHEEL Drive Mega Quad Cab with a 2 inch leveling kit in the front only. I can not seem to come up with an adjustable shock for the front. I have Rancho 9000's in the rear and would like to use a Rancho in the front, but everyone is telling me you can not with the front lifted/leveled 2 inches. Big problem is most everything I look up is for a 4WD and not 2WD. Is their something out there in a Rancho that would fit? If not, what would.

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01-15-2007, 09:57 AM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	You should be able to find a 9000 from Rancho that will fit. Unfortunately lately most parts counter guys only go by what they see on a puter screen, and never take the time to cross reference a few numbers, or take the time to look up physical demensions to find a part that will fit. First thing that you will need to know, is how the shock is mounted, i.e. loops. or studs. Then you will need to know the compressed length, and the extended length of the shock that you will be replacing. Easy to figure out if you have the old one (adjust for the leveling kit). The last and very important part is the diameter of the shock body, if this is a limiting factor (on the Dodge, i don't think it is), this will determine if the new shock will fit. Then with this info, ask to borrow a book from the shop you are going to purchase the shock from. All of the parts books from Rancho have every one of these demensions. Select a pair that will fit, and viola, a pair of shocks that probably were designed for another application, but will work for yours. Do make sure that you select a shock that is for a full size truck, and not one for a Toyota or something little like that. These will be valved differently, and they will wear out prematurely due to the one tons weight difference. I know there is a shock out there for you (9000). Looks like you are gonna have to do most of the leg work though. Hopefully the parts guy will learn a lesson from you about how to use his / her head to locate / cross-reference parts. Good luck.

01-16-2007, 07:50 AM	#3
kacharley Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Thanks. I was able to get the extended ride height of the shock that was in there and the extended length, but did not get the fully compressed dimension since we did not take the shock out. Probably need to do that before we go much further. Thanks for your help.