2 Opinions needed: 1) AIR FILTER-OEM, K&N.etc 2) SHOCKS

[VX crazy]

Read this before you get a K&N...

http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm

Green filter is the way to go!!

[deermagnet]

Even when new the ride was harsh with the stock shocks. I could push down hard on one front corner and it wouldn't move a mm. Go out and try that on yours. If it moves very much at all, the stock shocks are shot. Knowing what I know now, I woulda replaced those shocks within three days of buying my VX new and buried 'em deep underground. After performing an exorcism first, of course, so they couldn't haunt me anymore. I hated those things.

Mark

[VX KAT]

Even when new the ride was harsh with the stock shocks. I could push down hard on one front corner and it wouldn't move a mm. Go out and try that on yours. If it moves very much at all, the stock shocks are shot. Knowing what I know now, I woulda replaced those shocks within three days of buying my VX new and buried 'em deep underground. After performing an exorcism first, of course, so they couldn't haunt me anymore. I hated those things.

Mark

I think I'd like to bury my OEMs too! (No, I'll sell them here, I know most here love them).
Mine has 64k miles, no leaks per mechanic.
Tires: 255/55/18 Falken Ziex S/TZ-04, 95% tread remaining, @32 psi.
"Push" test on front fender moves maybe 1/2", it's virtually solid.
Rear has maybe just a touch more movement.
I couldn't even call either a "bounce".
JollyRoger I'm an on-road AND off-road gal....and live on a dirt/rocky road. I plan on going off-road some, but not much....we use the lifted FJ with the OMEs for our off road adventures.

I looked at Independent4x.com. Don't really know where to start. What brand/model should I look at for a softer ride?
Any suggestions? HELP!! :

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I looked at Independent4x.com. Don't really know where to start. What brand/model should I look at for a softer ride?
Any suggestions? HELP!! :

My advice to you would be to go with the Rancho 9000XL shocks because:

1) They have adjustable settings to hone in on what you desire for ride. (Avoid getting the in-cab remote adjustment feature though...$$$ and many here commented on it not functioning correctly!). The Rancho 9000XL shocks displayed on Independent4X.com show the manual type adjustment "knob" on each shock that you hand-turn to adjust the shock ride.

I have the Rancho shocks, and like the adjustability. I mostly drive around with all 4 set at the max (9). I like the firm ride, and the VX wallows around too much when the shocks are set at the minimum (1). However, I do set them at 1 when people that don't like the "rough" ride are riding along. I have shocked a few people that the ride can change so much. I have not messed around with the middle settings too much, and did not get the remote controller option because of all the horror stories.

I am getting Cece a set of the Bilstein H1 shocks for Christmas, so I will be able to compare them against my Ranchos.

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ghlight=rancho

2) They offer the added off-road ability you said you want. As far as on-road ability.......I had to work my "butt" off to keep up with NocturnalVX in Denver with him running Rancho's and me running O.E.M.

The only other shock I can think you might like would be the Old Man Emu...but, I've only read one other person that used them here and this is what he had to say:

I replaced the stock shocks with OMEs and I'm very pleased. I have a ride that feels more controlled. It doesn't seem to skip when I hit a bump while cornering. It's also a lot harder to break a tire loose in the back when accelerating around a corner. The downside is that there is a little bit more body roll, but given the better feel when I hit the bumps, I'm happy to have made that trade-off.

-Tad

Hope this helps!