My 2500 Duramax just got a set of Bilsteins from Kennedy Diesel. When I put them on I could hardly tell much difference unloaded. The back shocks that came on the truck were worn out but the front seem pretty good. When I went on a RV trip to Atlanta last week it is amazing how much better the ride is. I am pulling a Arctic Fox 33-5v with a pin load of 1800 lbs. The truck and trailer ride almost level when hooked up.

How many miles did you have on the original shocks?

I have 35k on my OEM shocks. I think I am going to upgrade to bilsteins. I remeber when I first got the truck with around 7k on it that it seemed to ride a lot smoother than now. My dad even said it felt like a nice ride. Now, it seems to shudder a bit more when going over bumps and the like. THe backend kinda squats all the time now, even with no load.

General consensus? Time to replace?

I had 35 K on the originals... Andrew new shocks will not help any sag in the back. You may need different springs or air bags. I am thinking of air bags as my truck settles 3-4 inches with the fiver but it does pull great and ride good now.

I have 26K on my OEM shocks and the back ones are leaking and my Firestones are cracking! I love this truck but I wish GM didn't skimp on some basic stuff on a $40K vehicle.

Are Bilsteins the best riding/towing shock replacement? What is the part number or is there only one shock for this app.?

I have 35k on my OEM shocks. I think I am going to upgrade to bilsteins. I remeber when I first got the truck with around 7k on it that it seemed to ride a lot smoother than now. My dad even said it felt like a nice ride. Now, it seems to shudder a bit more when going over bumps and the like. THe backend kinda squats all the time now, even with no load.

General consensus? Time to replace?
Yep. $260 to your door from John. www.kennedydiesel.com (http://www.kennedydiesel.com)

If you get 50K out of a stock set, you are either very lucky or like to ride bulls at the rodeo.

People are split on Bilstein or Rancho. Go with what you like. I recommend Bilstein. But thats me.

Tom :pig:

i did not notice a difference at first either. but the more i drove mine the more i noticed a big difference. it no longer shudders in the rear once going over bumps. definitely worth the $260 i paid kennedy for 'em. wil

I've been running the Bilsteins on my truck since around 30k(45 on it now). My impressions are they are much more responsive then any other shock I've ever tried. They are 'stiffer' but not annoying. I just replaced my wife's OEM Bilsteins with the HD blue/yellow's on her Trailblazer. At 47k, her rears were shot, and the front's weak. My honest opinion, great shocks with a more sturdy feel.

I can park the 2005 truck with the stock shocks next to the 2002 with the Bilsteins and then jump on both rear bumpers. One truck is like a pogo stick flopping around and one is like a rock. The Bilsteins make an amazing difference.

Kennedy gets them right out to ya too....

I live 1.5mi down a gravel road in a state that has the 3rd worst roads in the USA (MO):mad: . I just replaced my stock shocks only after 6600mi on the truck, just did not like the ride of the stock shocks at all. Stock shocks made my truck feel like the engine had a miss in it:eek: . Smoothed out the ride so much:) .

I had Bilsteins and Ranchos on a 1990 GMC 4x4 1/2 ton short bed, I prefered the Bilsteins:) .

Got my Bilsteins from Kennedy's:D

The Bilsteins you are ordering from Kennedy... Are they longer than stock (longer travel)? I am planning on torquing my Torsion bars to lift the Front 1" or 2". Will they accomidate this? IS THEIR A DIFFERENCE IN THE PART # FOR SHOCKS BETWEEN A STOCK RIDE HEIGHT AND AN INDEXED RIDE HEIGHT?

(Quote) I am planning on torquing my Torsion bars to lift the Front 1" or 2". Will they accomidate this? IS THEIR A DIFFERENCE IN THE PART # FOR SHOCKS BETWEEN A STOCK RIDE HEIGHT AND AN INDEXED RIDE HEIGHT?

I sure noticed a BIG difference in my new Bilstein's after installing them, as well as the Cognito Pitman / Idler arm support kit. Got it all from Kennedy Diesel. Kennedy Diesel will set you straight on whate to order great guy to deal with.

I would suggest installing the keys before torqing the torsion bars, cranking the torsion bars will only make the front end stiffer, makes the ride rough.

cranking up the stock keys will put as much strain on the torsion bars as changing to offset keys

how easy is the install on a new set of shocks?

Not very long. maybe 1 1/2 hours tops if you work really really slow.


I don't think J/K sells the 2" longer versions....I do know someone from here found out which part number they were, though. J/K might be able to get them for you, just ask him.

Cranking your stock keys raises the front up as much as if you just put in the green keys and didn't turn up the bolts any. The greens give you a higher STARTING point is all, you then can go farther up, but I wouldn't recommend a whole lot more...

Tom :eek: