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2002 Dak Guy
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2007
10:57:02
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 Subject: Need new shocks?
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Hey guys....have a 2002 Club Cab 2wd with the 4.7 V8 (5 sp manual). Have 150,000 Km's on it and wondering if it's time to put on new shocks? I'm getting some new performance tires so thinking I should upgrade the shocks so to benefit fully from the tires traction. I know it's a truck and supposed to be bouncy, but what kind of shocks would provide a better handling/more responsive ride? Everything else is stock, just want to change the shocks.
Also...are the shocks something that I can change easily myself in the driveway? If so, how do you do it and what tools are needed.? I should prolly also have it aligned after gettting the new tires eh?
Thanks for the input!
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Bucket
GenII
3/14/2007
17:23:21
| RE: Need new shocks?
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Message:
As far as shocks go,fifteen different people will all swear by a different shock so that question is potluck,mine are Bilstien and i like em,but i would get new ones if i were you,at 150k and getting new tires it just makes sense,as far as putting them on its a piece of cake,two wrenches and a jack and yer good to go,after its all said and done then if it were me i "prolly" would get it aligned just to make sure everything is cool,do some research find a good shock that fits your price range and driving style and good luck.
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2002 Dak Guy
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2007
18:08:37
| RE: Need new shocks?
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Message:
Cool...thanks bucket!
I know that rear shocks are just bolted on. How about the fronts. How do they come out? Is it more work then the rear?
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2007
18:59:56
| RE: Need new shocks?
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I've been using Rancho RS5000's for the last 60-70K miles. They work excellent. It's a vast improvement over stock. Sometimes NAPA and Summit have a sale on these.
Other people swear by the Monroe Reflex, which are cheaper.
Bilstiens and KYB are probably better, but they are quite expensive. Same with the Edelbrock IAS.
Istallation is simple. In the front you need a jack to get the tire out of the way. In the back you can just crawl under the truck. I think all four shocks took me less than an hour. But that was on a new truck without any corrosion.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2007
19:12:34
| RE: Need new shocks?
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I put CarQuest Bruiser shocks on my 2000 CC and it wasn't much of an improvement over stock. On my 2003 QC I installed Monroe Reflex shocks and they were a huge improvement over stock, well worth the money.
My install time was about an hour, same as .boB, but I had an air ratchet and the truck up on jack stands at the same time.
If the truck has been exposed to snow, rain and road salt, I would soak all the bolts and nuts in penetrating oil (WD-40, Liquid Wrench, etc) the day before replacing the shocks, cheap insurance against fighting rusty bolts.
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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3/15/2007
07:26:41
| RE: Need new shocks?
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I've got Edelbrock IAS on my '01 RC 2wd 4.7 5-spd. They made a huge improvement in ride and handling. The Monroe Reflex work on a similar principle (inertia valve) at less cost. Advance Auto Parts has a 25% off sale on Monroe at the moment.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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3/15/2007
11:22:02
| RE: Need new shocks?
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Contrary to popular belief, WD-40 is not a penetrating oil.
My favorite is PB Blaster.
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Kowalski
GenIII
3/15/2007
11:40:38
| RE: Need new shocks?
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Mine too - I don't know anyone who's tried it using anything else.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2007
03:19:09
| RE: Need new shocks?
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I installed Monroe Reflex on my QC about 2-3 years ago. They are not dampening anything anymore!! Rough, bouncy ride :-(, I don't offroad, just occasional beaches, and 2wd LSD.
I think I'll try
Rancho's soon.
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shatto
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2007
19:50:31
| RE: Need new shocks?
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I use the MOPAR heavy duty shocks on my Dakota. Five sets have lasted me 100,000 miles each.
On the other hand, I read in a performance magazine that there are Corvette drivers that change theirs at 15,000 miles, or less.
Gas shocks will give you a softer ride, but if you like the stock ride, stick with what has worked for you. Changing at 150K should be fine.
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Kowalski
GenIII
3/18/2007
08:10:55
| RE: Need new shocks?
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I hated the stock ride for mine - shock damping wasn't well suited to the spring rate, causing the rear to jump anytime you hit a bump in a turn while unloaded. I solved that problem going to Edelbrock IAS. Quite a few have reported other premium shocks help as well.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Duncan
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2007
18:31:59
|  RE: Need new shocks?
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I just installed the Bilstien, Heavy Duty shocks on my 2002 Quadcab 2.8L and love them. I purchased them from Shockwarehouse.com, and was happy with their service/price. They are a more expensive shock, but I feel well worth it. Slightly stiffer ride, but the handling is much better, and the rear end stays on the ground.
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2002 Dak Guy
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2007
18:44:26
| RE: Need new shocks?
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Well, picked up a set of Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks today. They were around $106 per shock (canadian $) which was a bit cheaper then the Bilsteins when I called around for prices. Came with the hardware, etc. as well which was nice to see.
Can wait to get them on an see how she rides!! Going to put them on this weekend hopefully if it stays dry out!
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2007
22:25:00
| RE: Need new shocks?
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You're in for a treat, 2002 Dak Guy :)
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shatto
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2007
23:17:01
| RE: Need new shocks?
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02,
Measure them before you put them on. The Edelbrock shocks were too short for my truck, a 98 longbed.
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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4/01/2007
14:54:30
|  RE: Need new shocks?
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Edelbrock makes IAS for the standard Dakotas and shorter versions for the R/T. Make sure you get the right ones.
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2002 Dak Guy
Dodge Dakota
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4/01/2007
20:42:30
| RE: Need new shocks?
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01 Motorsport - the part # is the same on the Edelbrock website for the reg/ext/quad cab as it is for the R/T for the Performer Series IAS.
Anyhow...wasn't even able to get them installed today. Went to do the front shock, and was unable to get the top post bolt removed from the shock. It would just spin and spin the piston rod. There was no way to hold the piston rod with pliers. So then I tried to use a combination wrench on the bolt while holding the top of the shock mount with vise grips, but ended up rounding it off. Is there any special tools required to do shocks?
Looks like I'll have to take it to a shop and have them torch the bolt and mounting post off!!
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Kowalski
GenIII
4/02/2007
07:00:57
| RE: Need new shocks?
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Message:
Hacksaw or grinder.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2007
08:30:50
| RE: Need new shocks?
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Small pipe wrench will hold it usually.
There is a tool to hold the top, but it won't work if you rounded it off.
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2007
09:16:22
| RE: Need new shocks?
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Good luck on your install, 2002 Dak Guy. When I bought my IAS 2 years ago, Edelbrock had separate part numbers for R/T's. I guess its good they steamlined their inventory.
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2002 Dak Guy
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2007
11:55:24
| RE: Need new shocks?
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Message:
I new there had to be some sort of tool. But I'm sure the tool would of rounded it off too! It was pretty rusty and on there good.
Nonetheless, Kowalski, how the hell would a grinder or hacksaw fit in there? I tried a sawzall but couldn't get a good angle to cut.
Anyhow...I'm sure the garage can cut with a torch.
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