sounds like dead shocks to me...

rancho makes so good shocks. they have some (relativle) inexpensive rancho5000 for about 40 a peice or you can get there adjustable shocks ranch9000 that you can really firm up for sand and mud play (the stiff shocks will be a crutch for low travel.... it will stop it from slaming the bump stops hard) for 80 a peice.... i run the 9000 they are nearly indestructable, and when you do destroy one the have a life time warantee(for both 5000 and 9000). bilsteins are also good and they have a liftime warantee too...