Posted: Dec 24 2008 at 9:27am | IP Logged

Hi All!

I have a 2001 Frontier, extended cab, 4X4, Supercharged V-6, 61K on the odometer.  (The suspension is stone stock).  

Last week I noticed my front factory shock a a bad leak & replaced both sides with Rancho RS 5000's.  I understood these to be several notches above stock & have used these before on my fullsize Chevy and had good results.

HELP!  Now the front of this reasonably stable truck bounces horribly.  At 75 MPH, it's downright dangerous...on speedbumps it's embarassing!

Has anyone had a similar experience with the RS 5000's?  And what is a good shock to use on this vehicle?  (I should have come here first!).

Thanks for your help and have a good holiday!

Posted: Dec 24 2008 at 2:23pm | IP Logged

Does it just bounce once when you go over the bump or does it go up and down repeatedly?  If the former, you may have shocks that are really hard and that don't compress enough from the weight of the truck.  Shocks should not be part of the weight bearing element of the suspension system but rather a DAMPER, keeping the up and down motion to one cycle.  Now many seem to like gas filled shocks with 200 psi of nitrogen but it takes a lot to compress this and the gas pressure may actually cause a small lift in the suspension.  These shocks may compress harder and cause a vehicle to "launch" over an obstacle like a speed bump.  If you want foctory ride, use factory shocks that are set to what the engineers who designed the sytem intended.

However, nitrogen charged shocks are designed to prevent foaming of the fluid when repeated harsh compression and extension of the shock occurs (ie off roading).  This is the benefit from these shocks but you pay with a aharsher ride on the street.

If the latter, the shocks are too soft and not damping out the motion.

Posted: Dec 24 2008 at 9:45pm | IP Logged

..

I replaced some worn out factory rear shocks on a twenty year old Jeep with RS5000s… they were no better than the worn out ones… if not worse. I put Monroe Magnum Gas-Matics front and rear on the Jeep and their still doing good!  I put Monroe Sens-a-trac on front and rear of the Hard Body I had and they were great.

Have a good one while you can still laugh about it.. Don S..