I have a 2008 H2, with the stock suspension. I have a little over 50000 miles on my truck and was looking at replacing the front & rear shocks.

I use the truck for everyday usage with occasional/minor off-roading. Not looking to have the truck lifted, just looking for a bolt on replacement.

Is the best way to go with an OEM replacemnet or an aftermarket? If aftermarket, any input/suggestions on brand, models, etc is greatly appreciated.

 

i just installed Rancho 9000xl. The truck rides a lot better. They are adjustable and were having a rebate for the price of 1 shock and rebate for a controller for the adjustable shocks as well. However, they can easily be adjusted by hand.

 

Cypress KC: Did you stay with the stock height or did you increase the lift?

 

Also is the ride firmer than the stock ones?

 

I'm waiting on a response to this as well. I've got 60,000. The Rancho XL is a bit more expensive but in my opinion, it's a once bought item. However, if the difference between the 5000 & 9000XL, I'm gunna go with the lesser of the two. Rather put the saved money back into my gas tank. LOL.

Can someone please respond with info/experience? Also, I wouldn't get the controller due to knowing what I like.... I'll spend a bit of time riding & making adjustments by hand & it'll be done. Prolly gunna set it to 3 clicks from full stiff.

ALSO, the sway bars on these trucks... Anyone have any opinions on aftermarket parts & such? The way I look @ it, it's only the bushings that may go "bad" and the bars are a passive item. They don't move. HOWEVER, there are aftermarket items. WHY??

 

I got a set of Bilsteins from Cognito and so far I am quite impressed. After cranking the torsion bars up to level it out the ride was a bit harsh, but after replacing the stock shocks with the Bilsteins everything feels nice and smooth.

 

I have about 75k miles on stock height with no sway cranked up. There was a deal last month if you bought 4 9000xl you would get a rebate for 1 shock and also get a rebate for the wireless ride adjusting unit. I thought this was a heck of a deals so i bought them for about $350 for all 4. I'm waiting on the rebates now.

For the ride, i have the front adjusted to the firmest and i do notice a big difference. With all shocks at the firmest level, the HUmmer feels almost like a sports car on turn. With the shocks at the lowest setting its very mushy ride over speed bumps or entering my driveway but very comfortable on the highway. In my opinion, since this is a one time purchase, i would still have bought the 9000 over the 5000 without the rebates. I definitely like the firmer settings. If you read online, the 5000 i believe are in the adjustment range of about 4-6 of the 9000, but i have the setting currently at 9 (firmest) in the front and about a 4 in the rear.

I hope this helps.

KC

 

who builds the stock shocks by the way?

 

I sent the rebate to Tenneco, but i think they make Monroe Shocks as well since they were part of the rebate.

 

I have the RS5000's on the front of my truck. My truck is lifted 2" in the front.

The RS5000's ride almost identical to stock. So they are more mushy/floating ride like an old caddy. However the difference comes into play offroad they have allot better fade at high speed.

The factory shocks are also made be Tenneco aka Rancho. Rancho is just a "performance/aftermarket" division of Tenneco.

I hope this helps.