Was thinking of replacing the shocks on my KW that has the eight bag air ride and was wondering what's a good shock these days for trucks ?

In a web search I see that Monroe make a gas charged shock for class 8 trucks and was wondering if anybody has tried them ??

 

Monroe makes a good shock.

 

Bobby! Go to the KW dealer, they have an excellent "Leveler" shocks for your rears, and i forgot the name, but it's made by Gabriel, some "premium", comes with 300,000 warranty, for steers!
I've recently did mine, Monroe is good, but it not even close to those! 8)

 

I just called Inland KW, they have most in stock for about $60 for O.E. and gas charged a bit more.
The truck rides pretty good now but I'd like to firm it up a bit as I'm carrying the load right on the truck. I wonder if a gas charged shock would be the way to go ?
I think the advantage of gas over oil is they respond quicker ???

 

Probably yes!
But, they nearly not that dependable, as plain hydraulic! JMO!

 

I looked up on the KW site and the 300K shocks are bigger than the O.E. shock and suppose to be 40% firmer. That should do the trick.

 

The biggest reason for a gas charged shock is that they are not as susceptible to breaking down when they get heated up after a bumpy road and then not being able to dampen the ride as good as when they are cool. Oil filled shocks heat up and the oil gets thinner and don't work as well. The same principle is used in thermal pain windows. The gas in between the windows does not transmit heat or cold as easily as just plain air.

 

I put a set of those fancy gas charged Gabriel shocks on last year, 2 of the drive axel ones are leaking allready---not very impressed with them at all.

Maybe it was a fluke, but it's back to monroe for me!

 

Shocks are overrated that's what you got air bags or springs for. :wink:

 

Shocks are not overated at all. They are what keeps your rubber on the road where it belongs. Especially helpfull in winter driving conditions.