Can I use just a single shock with dual shock hoops? My frame came with the hoops when I picked it up, but I'm not sure for what I use it for the second shock on each end is going to help much.

Sure, unless you're running fast & hard, dual shocks are a bit old school.

Most people would suggest that you set it up for a single shock. Duals are likely to be over-stiff.

That is how I'm set up.

I put dual shocks up front when I lifted my truck in 1995. I went to single shocks last year and wish I had never done duals. Much better ride.

someone told me people drill out and drain fluid and run as dumbie

I may eventually end up doing that (the dummy shock).

Any recommendations on a reasonably-priced shock that's going to be nice and streetable? I've heard good stuff about Duff's stuff.

The only specific recommendation, besides Bilsteins (sp?), was a Pro Comp nitro, recommended by Jim Cole (aka Cage, Bloody Knuckle Garage). He said they are cheaper than the Bilsteins but very good shocks. I never looked into them personally.

I've been running Duff's 70/30s for 15 years and they are ok. Way too stiff to put 2 up front, again, I wish I never had done that. Mine are almost all toast, and needing replaced. Plus they don't have the length I need and are limiting my suspension. They will be changed by spring, but I'm waiting for Battlement's shocks/rear springs, and shock mounts to do anything.

just some food for thought, but you get what you pay for in terms of shocks. Buy a crappy ProComp 3000 or a Rancho 5000 or anything off the shelf at the autoparts store and you will wish you spent the $30 extra per shock for something worth while. Bilsteins, the 5100 series, run roughly $80-90 each and are comparable to the Rancho 9000s that I run. If you want a smooth ride, cough up the extra dough.

A lot of the reason for the dual shocks was to control the wheel hop up front. Get them to really start spinning and they will really start to hop. Of course this was all before lockers really came into play. Now you don't need to spin them that hard because of the locked front end so duals really isn't needed. Now in the snow and mud you can still get them to hop pretty hard if your not careful. I'm running dual RS9000's up front on mine and really haven't thought much about just going one. Most of the time I run them on 1 or 2 setting as well.

Now back to your original question sure you can run one but like sbolt19 said go with a higher end shock, you will be happier in the long run. From what I've heard the new RS9000 replacements are not as good as the ones I have on mine (they are probably about 20 yrs old)