New shocks

[Offroad vx]

I'm in dire need of some new shocks and had alot of members suggest the Rancho's but my boyfriend had bad luck with them before and wants me to get Fox. I was wondering if anyone has ever put Fox on their VX and how they were valved. Also if anyone knows what size right off hand that would be cool too!

[Hotsauce]

I hated ranchos.

The adjustment stiffens bump, not rebound!

Best aftermarket non custom shock is Bilstein if you like a sporty ride rather than floppy soft.

I'll be very interested if you get a set of Fox made up. I wasted $900 on a set of doetschtech shocks, and they're worthless.

John C.

[UNEVEN THOUGHTS]

I went with the KYB MonoMax shocks that are avalible through Tirerack.com .
If your interested they're listed as an '01 Trooper performence shock but they match the part numbers listed on KYB's website for our VX's. They were about $200 shipped to my door. Hope this can help.

[MrCrowley]

If I ever need them... Koni it will be.

[crager34]

I went from stock to Rancho RS5000 which was easy on the wallet, but not a good ride at all. I now have Rancho RS9000X and am very happy with the ride, just soft enough for me, nice and easy rebound and very little bounce. The 9000's were already on my new VX, but the prices are not bad and if you stay away from the in-cab adjuster.... that's $150 less you spend.

[mbeach]

I just put the 9000s on the truck this past weekend, decent ride for the money.

I hooked up the in-cab controller, it's a leaky piece.
I've decided to run hardlines and rubber hose to the shocks to reduce leaks. I'm machining new manifolds and using electric gauges instead of the stock pieces.
Essentially I'm only keeping the air compressor.

[VCrossfan]

A couple days ago I dropped off a front and rear Factory stock shock (KYB) At my buddies shop. He's a top cycle mechanic and has all the equipment to repair and recharge. I'll post feedback..

http://home.mchsi.com/~enjoylife/wsb/media/1066400/site1020.gif

[kpaske]

VCrossfan -

Please let us know how this works out. I was under the impression that the stock shocks could not be rebuilt, but I've saved mine just in case anyone ever figures out how. I've got the Rancho 9000X's, but I still don't think they compare to the stock ride, and I've yet to hear of a better replacement.

MrCrowley -

What's the deal with Koni?

[SilverBullet75]

I have the Rancho 9000s... I absolutely love them! I had street tires on for a year and kept the setting around 7 of 9.. Now I have Mud Terrain Good Years on and keep them at 9 of 9. They feel WONDERFUL on or off road. (much better with mud tires though... streets were a little bouncy.)
good luck..

[SlowPro48]

... I was under the impression that the stock shocks could not be rebuilt....

They can be rebuilt as long as you haven't run them dry too long and trashed the shaft or internals. They can also be revalved if you want to change rebound or compression damping. Although I don't know why anyone would want to touch the rebound. It feels spot-on to me but then that's with stock wheels and tire size/weight... ...and a spodely driver...

[Chopper]

Someone would have to go a bit to convince me anything was better than the stockers. I understand the cost is a bit high, but worth every dime to preserve the "ride" I paid for in the first place. Buy one at a time, and save them up till you have the set. Run the monomax till then

[AlaskaVX]

I am very happy with the way my rear Bilstein shocks ride, but the front Bilstein's I'm not too keen on. I have the part #'s in my profile if your interested. The rears ar gas pressurized (I think 5100's) and feel stock if not a bit more stiff. The fronts are not gas pressurized and they like to bounce. Definately get gas pessurized shocks (like stock).

Oh and I am lifted so the rear part # will be longer then what you are after

[t2p]

Chopper:
.
The cost of the OEM KYB's is more than a 'bit high' - $300-500 per unit based on the estimates I have been provided with. Multiply by four - and that is a significant amount.

And especially given the suspect reliability of this shock absorber. Many - seems a majority of 99 VX owners - have experienced no issues with the OEM KYB's. However, a significant number of 00 and 01 VX owners - myself included - have been forced to replace the OEM KYB's at a relatively 'early' interval.
.
I would like to have a set of (good) OEM KYB's on my VX - but I could not justify spending an extra $1400 bucks to make it happen.
.

[Francesco Rizzo]

got the racho adjustable witht he control unit. The ride is awesome, I never had the truck with good "stock" suspension since when I bought it, there was always a leak. I'll stand by the rancho's, ride is much, much better