Advice on Shocks and Struts for the Burban

[pervitizm]

So I'm back again with another question on what to do with the truck. I'm looking at replacing the shocks all around on the truck and wanted to get opinions on what to run. This is also in part cause when I put the 26's back on the truck I want to make sure the ride is better than with the factory shocks, which have about 96K miles on them. So far I'm only looking at three brands, Monroe, Rancho, and Bilstein. I've found a shop around me that will install some adjustable Bilstein struts up front for around $550. That would still leave me having to take care of the rears and if I went with Bilstein then I'm looking at round $800. The cheapest deal I could find was the Monroes, which for $650 I could have all four corners done, but I'm hearing that Monroe isn't the best when it comes to quality nor will I have the ability to adjust the height. I can also get the Rancho's RS9000 for around $700.

I guess what I'm looking for is:

1. Ride Comfort

2. Handling with the bigger wheels and tires

3. Leveling off the truck without the use of spring cups

So should I just drop the $550 on the Bilsteins for the fronts now and then do the rears later on, would the Rancho's be a better middle ground,or go ahead and just get the Monroes?

[kryptonite]

I've only seen bilsteins on offroading vehicles but I have never seen their street line. I've got Monroe load adjusters on the back of my pickup to help with weight. They are a coilover shock that handle 1200 lbs extra beyond factory shocks, and with system weight they handle awesome. Just my .02

[slow240sx]

Id go with the bilsteins. Gonna b better quality and ride than the others you suggested.

[white4d96]

Order online for a better deal. I would go with Bilsteins.

[pervitizm]

Ordering online is one thing, finding a shop that will install said parts that I brought is another. Most shops that I've called willing to install the shocks and do an alignment will only do it with their ordered parts. Besides I'm starting to lean a tad bit more towards the Rancho's. I've been looking at their Rancho Quick Lift strut kit and maybe the RS900XL for the rear. I think if I can get this done for under $700 I may go this route. But I'm still trying to learn more about the Bilsteins.