I started a thread (a while ago) asking for suggestions on shocks (re: http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_1208350/mpage_2/key_/tm.htm)
Well, ...I purchased the Edelbrock IAS Performers, ...and finished installing everything last night. In addition to the shocks, ...I replaced the steering stabilizer, ...and stabilizer endlinks. I also decided to install the drilled/slotted rotors (and new pads) while I had it apart.





My truck has 90,000 miles on it, ...and the factory original shocks were still there. The ride was smooth/soft, ...and I didn't think the shocks were 'shot' at all, ...until I took them out (the fronts were OK, ...but the rears compressed real easy, ...and one had leaked).
Anyway, ...I 'test' drove it last night and then to work today, ...and it's like a new truck. Granted, ...the old shocks were toast, ...but the IAS shocks seem much more predictable, ...truck definitely does not 'lean' on hard cornering (I tried : ), ...yet the ride is still comfortably smooth/soft. Yes, ...you can sense a slight bit of firmness, ..but that was/is to be expected, ...but not at all an issue with me.
Overall, ...I'm very please with the results and the ride.

The job? ...pretty easy if you have the tools, ...and patience. I thought the fronts were going to be more difficult than the rears to remove,...but the rears were stubborn. I dropped the spare right from the start, ...I wouldn't even attempt it with the spare up, ...trust me.
Other than that (not really related to the shocks), ...the biggest 'pain' was getting the steering stabilizer out. There wasn't enough room to knock out the press fit end. I struggled with it long enough, ...until I decided to pull the pitman arm down, ...allowing room to tap out the pressed bolt end. Once it was cleared, ...it came right out.

My next 'job' will most likely be to replace the seals on the steering box. It's been leaking, ...I've been putting in Lucas, ...but it doesn't seem to be slowing down. The kit (#4470365) is only about $20, so I plan to do it. Once that's done, ...and I have the alignment double checked, ...then I'll be installing the 20" later model polished wheels (which have been sitting, ...and waiting...)

Thanks,
Kevin

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport ClubCab, White, 360, 4x4

Looks good. Are you sure thats how those shocks go? Usually they flip the other way. You must not have them upside down as they should only bolt one one way unless you have the eyelet ends on both side and an adapter at the top. If thats the case flip them around. If not I guess they are just different than most shocks. I thought about them as my next shocks but I don't like that oh well. Sounds like a nice setup. Glad to hear you like it.

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2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Offroad Edition with the 360.

Congratulations... you've just become the 1st performance reviewer thread...

Nice job on the writeup & install... I had them and liked them alot... had them on 3 trucks... 2 rams & a dak

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http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_1037052/tm.htm

http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e266/sdoherma/

Also where did you get those rotors? How do you like them?

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2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Offroad Edition with the 360.

I ran the powerstop's from summit racing... they worked great for me and plan on getting another set when the time comes for the '05

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http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_1037052/tm.htm

http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e266/sdoherma/

Were yours slotted or just drilled? The ones I see Summit has of Powerstops are only drilled. Did you have any problems with them cracking? I've read complaints of cross drilled rotors cracking and slotted ones being better but that they eat up pads.

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2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Offroad Edition with the 360.

drilled only... the improvement in braking was awesome. I ended up putting them on my wifes Dak and she loved them as well.

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http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e266/sdoherma/

...shocks are installed correctly. They are clearly labelled, "This end Up", ...I first thought, ..."Hmmm, ...maybe the stickers were applied incorrectly", ...but in reading these things over, ...they do install opposite of 'normal' shocks.

Brake rotors came from Ebay (here's a link http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DODGE...QQcmdZViewItem)
...I do not know the seller, ...just did business with him (all was fine).
As for difference from the stock rotors? ...There is some improvement. I won't say it's night and day, ...butI still need to break in the pads to really see...

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport ClubCab, White, 360, 4x4

that is the correct install for the eddy's

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http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_1037052/tm.htm

http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e266/sdoherma/

...just wanted to add...
I've had more time to drive the truck over the past week, ...and I'm liking these shocks even more . I'm very pleased.
I will also add, ...for those that haven't done much front-end repair work to their trucks, ...check the stabilizer end links. My truck is mostly highway driven, ...when I took the end links off, ...they were shot. Literally to the point where I was able to pull the 'joint' apart, ...only being held together by the rubber boot. Well, ..."that noise" I was hearing? ...it's now gone, ...it was the end links all along.

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1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport ClubCab, White, 360, 4x4