Ok, so I read the thread below about the HD suspension...(loved the joke about driving over a painted line!)...and I read the thread about the Bilstein shocks...

But how do I know when I need new shocks for my truck? Seriously. I know it rides better when towing and when I am loaded. I can't exactly do the old car test of trying to bounce the bumper. So how do you know when they need replacing?

thanks

I changed out the stock shocks on my 06 @ 500mi. The improvement is too great to wait for the stockers to wear out IMO.

I changed mine out at 25000 and probably should of done it before, but there are guys that go 40 - 50K miles on stock shocks with no issues. It's really up to you. I do think the Bilsteins should be stock from GM like on the Z71s.
JP

I'm right there with Dan-o, I changed mine at about 500 miles when I installed my lift, but remember no shock is going to change the fact that you have a HD truck with a pretty good stack of springs in the back. The only way to make it ride softer, but at a loss when towing (always a compromise), is to install different springs on the rear. Some are using the 1500 HD springs and CST and others offer a re arched spring set that rides better than stock, but then most are running helper air bags with those set up's if they tow much. I did notice my stock shocks were kind of soft and seemed to bottom out easily on the front but it was hard to tell in the rear because of the stiffness of the springs.

I found it was most noticeable when going over speed bumps; the back end would bounce several times. I bought my '03 used with 35,000km (21,500mi) and when I took the old shocks off, they were definitely toast. So, not sure what they're like new .. might be good for the first 5,000 or so miles.
BTW, I installed Monroe Reflex; better price and ride not as harsh.

I could not change my shocks when my 06 was new as I got it then 2 days later drove to Vegas and back. But I changed mine out at about 9,000 miles and 2 of the stockers were already broken. One fell apart on the passeger front:eek: and the left rear would not return out when pushed all the way in:eek: .

Get those stockers off as quick as possible, they are already bad and for around $300 or less you can put the bilsteins on and you will love the way they ride loaded and empty. I sure do:D

I changed mine out around 30,000 to help out with towing, but I also notice my stock shocks were having alot of problems going over speed bumps.

I went with RS 9000's at 1k miles and could not believe the difference. Stock shocks are crap.