opinions on new shocks

[ChristopherDeane]

So I'm getting ready to buy new rear shocks for my truck(83 c1500 6.2 diesel 1/2 ton RWD) it currently has gabriel hi-jackers on it and the left shock shaft has a nice hole in the side and is doing nothing for lifting the truck currently. i've read a handful of info out there, and have gotten equal positive and negative feedback on the hi-jackers. so now i'm wondering what you folks think? stick with hi-jackers, try different air shocks, stop using air shocks? i live on a very bumpy dirt road, i'm planning on hauling some somewhat heavy trailers in the future, and i want to be able to load the bed up with a full load of dirt if needed. so whadayall think?

[94sierra16]

Mabe look into air shocks that you put air into for the rear havent heard anything about them before but i know their good for people who tow certain weights so just check weight limit on them

[2018GMC]

I have had both Gabriel, Rancho and Bilstein on my '79 K10. I perfer Bilstein. They are the stiffest of the bunch and help prevent excessive bouncing these old leaf spring trucks are known for. The Gabriel sucked and blew out after 2 years. The Ranchos lasted for several years but weren't as stiff and didn't dampen as much as the bilsteins.

 

Hell after 200,000 miles on my 97 K1500 the bilsteins were still good! I ordred new Bilsteins because I thought after 17 years and 200K miles they must need replaced. I removed all 4 shocks and they still dampened and returned after being fully compressed.

 

Now the new set was noticably stiffer and reacted quicker.