One of the problems with consensus is everybody likes something different. I grew up driving when trucks were trucks and ride was secondary. I like a firm ride in both a car and a truck. Younger folks who grew up in very soft riding new cars complain about the harshness and truckyness in good riding SUV's.
Then comes money. From cheap to sky is the limit. There are some good bargains out there. I've had great luck with things like Sears gas HD truck shocks over the years. They did fine for a while. But didn't last long. Lifetime replacement was a blessing.
Bang for the buck OME's rock if they make them for your truck. Mine ride nice empty and have no trouble handling loads like this.
I'm told the new OME sport shocks are even better. Position and velocity sensing valving.
Personally I'd rather have too much shock or stiffness than not enough. A little bit of firm ride beats wallowing to me any day.
I know lots of folks who love Monroe Sensatracs or whatever they call them this week. But most admit they start to give up with a lot of weight on the truck.
On another Trooper I ran a set of Doetsch Tech shocks. Physically they weren't huge but they sure damped like they were. Quite impressive. I wasn't sure if they still made them so I looked them up. They don't seem to get the press they once did. Maybe ntsqd can shed some light on these as well.
http://www.doetsch-shocks.com/
On our import cars I've been pleased with KYB's. Don't think truck shocks are their market though.
JH you've mentioned Boss stuff before. Is there a retail outlet for these in the US? They look nice. In fact the welding and outer tube shape and such reminds me a lot of OME.
Edited by Squatch, 17 February 2016 - 03:25 AM.