Wow, thanks everyone for all the replies! I have new info to report too. But first...

PeteVX, you are not talking out your arsse. You are dead on, and a lot of people need to learn how suspensions work. The car rides on the springs, and the shocks only dampen the motion of the springs. Harder/stronger springs need harder/stronger shocks, which is the challenge for the VX. No one makes softer springs for aftermarket - only sport springs which are stiffer than stock. I was behind an Integra the other day that had been lowered with sport springs but had the OE shocks, and it was bouncing up and down like nuts down the highway! HAH! I'm in a similar position, but I'll get to that in a moment.

Raque - thanks for the eBay tip; I'm already watching that auction.

Offroad - thanks for the clarification. I've seen a lot of positive posts about the Ranchos and a couple of negative ones, and I figured someone had them on the softest setting and didn't like them. I'm guessing the ride will be pretty good if they are set in the 7-9 range.

New developments - I took a closer look at my suspension, and the original shocks were replaced with KYB Gas-A-Just shocks. While these may be made by the OEM company, and they are gas charged, they are NOT adjustable, as the name suggests. Also, they suck. They are not up to the job of damping those stiff VX springs. The ride is not out of control, and it is not harsh, but heave-type undulations in the road will send my VX bouncing. Now with 50k miles on my VX, those shocks can't be THAT old, so I'm guessing they were not up the job from the beginnning.

I've heard only a few but very positive posts about Bilsteins, so I'm gonna price those out, but based on everything I've read here, I am willing to give the Ranchos a try. Unless my warranty will pay for the OEMs!

This topic is FAR from settled. Please continue to post your experiences with replacement shocks. I'm sure everyone appreciates the info!