Just a question - Why do most of you prefer Blistein Shocks and not other brands?

Seems that most feel the build quality is better. Almost everyone who buys them say the ride is much improved over stock.

You might also consider the Rancho 9000's like I have, if you don't tow often. You have the ability to adjust with these. I usually run with my rears softer than the fronts, to compensate for the decreased weight.

I would say if you tow very much, the Bilstein's would probably be the way to go.

On Edit: Welcome to the forum. You might want to think about putting your truck in your signature. It will help us when answering questions that you have. You can access this up at the top of the screen in the User CP section.:thumb:

Thanks Slick - I tow so blisteins are next on the list. And thanks for the advice on how to post a signature.

Speaking of Bilsteins, where have you guys found to be the best source & price? Preference of any particular series like standard or 5100 series? My truck's not lifted - can't do that, need to reach the top of the lumber rack.

www.kennedydiesel.com

I shoulda known. . . Check the sponsoring vendors first! Muchos Gras.

I 2nd Seth...Kennedy all the way...

Check with John @,

www.dpsdirect.com

Idahofox

Slick, why would the Bilsteins be better than adjustable Ranchos if you tow a lot? Seems like it would be the opposite--setting the firmness based on the load. Just curious, at 54K mine are about shot.

Because from what I have heard from everyone else the Bilstein's are just as firm or firmer, even on the top settings of the Ranchos.

I guess if you tow a wide variety of loads(weight), then Ranchos might better suit your needs. Any time I tow a trailer with very much weight, I just crank the Ranchos all the way up anyway. If your trailer weighs very much at all, chances are your going to want a firm shock, so you probably wouldn't bother with the lower settings anyway.

If it wasn't for the adjustability of the Ranchos, I probably would have gone with the Bilsteins. Just from the reviews from users here, Bilsteins build quality might be better than Ranchos. They both carry a lifetime warranty though, I believe.

Thanks for the reply. I'm empty and not towing 80% of the time, but when I do tow it is a 15K fifth wheel. I guess either would be better than what I have now.

I installed my Bilsteins @ ~3K.

Priceless.

Idahofox

Ct, I agree, you really can't go wrong with either. They are both great shocks.

Have anyone tried or compared the Edelbrock performance IAS shocks vs Bilsteins shocks.

Edelbrock Performance IAS shocks is sold by LMC-Truck


Janti

Because from what I have heard from everyone else the Bilstein's are just as firm or firmer, even on the top settings of the Ranchos.

Uh, I dunno if I would characterize Bilsteins that way. Call me crazy, buuuut....

I don't think they're stiff at all. In fact, I feel they give a better ride because they are softer than stock. My seat-of-pants feel is that the Bilsteins are actually letting the wheels travel quite a bit - but the damping is superb. The shock is, uh, being......uh, absorbed.....hmmm...how about that?

I had a 99 Tahoe LT that came with factory Bilsteins, same color and everything as the ones I got for this truck from Kennedy, and the ride is very similar - lots of articulation but excellent damping and absorption of shock.

I drive one of the doggonedest washboard roads every day and that's where I'm drawing my conclusion.

Make sense?

I just put on a set of Bilsteins @ 107k. I should have done this much sooner. One of my front shocks was totally shot! A much better ride. It made a bigger difference than switching back to All Terrains.

Have anyone tried or compared the Edelbrock performance IAS shocks vs Bilsteins shocks.

Edelbrock Performance IAS shocks is sold by LMC-Truck


Janti


I've heard too many stories of those shocks failiing. They just break apart on the fullsize trucks for some reason.

Before my NEW 04.5 had 500 miles on it I had dmaxalliTech(ERIC) change out my stock shocks to the BILSTEINS. :eek: The difference was unbelieveable . He laughed outloud. The stock shocks could be pushed in and pulled out with ease. They were not leaking and looked as if they were new. The Bilsteins on the otherhand took 4-5 times the pressure to move the pistons in and out. I had always been told there was a night and day difference between the Bilsteins and stock.
NOW I'M A BELIEVER........ :ro)

Thanks for the response on my question, I'm gonna order a set of Bilsteins shocks for my truck.

Janti

bilsteins are good as long as you are not making significant mods to your truck that would impact the weight. I have a lift, 35" tires, and Ranchand bumpers, amoung other changes. The Rancho 9000s that are adjustable are the best for this do the the ability to adapt to weight and road changes. I was also told by SD (he uses them also) that they have a lifetime warranty but I don't know if that is for all of them or just based on where he purchased them. Anyone know?

Thanks for the response on my question, I'm gonna order a set of Bilsteins shocks for my truck.

Janti

check out :) www.gmdieseltech.com (http://www.gmdieseltech.com/) for great prices.....:exactly:

I put my Bilsteins on tonight (front and rear) the original OEM shocks had 38k or so on them, the front left was junk, had a dead zone of about 3" in the stroke, the orther side leaked internally.

The rear ones didnt seem that bad.

Got mine from kennedydiesel, he shipped the same day I ordered and they showed up today! Thanks.

Makes it like a whole new truck again, don't it!?

Did any of you guys compare length of the bilsteins to the stockers? I want a little longer than stock, but the page on kennedie's site doesn't say they are. Good price on them there though.

They are Std (same as OEM) length, BUT you can add a spacer to the shaft to get a bit more out of them.

Yes, mine appeared to be the same lenght. I added a stack of washers, about 1" worth to the shaft at the top, but under the flange, since I cranked my torsion bars.

This seems to have put the shaft a bit more in center of the travel range.

Yes, the front shocks DO limit the downward travel of the front suspension. So if you are doing heavy four-wheeling, you are reaching the end of travel on the shocks.

I took a photo of my shock install with washers, however, my digital camera didnt save them.

I'll add that this is really not necessary as the Bilsteins don't care where in the travel they are, and that pushing the ride height up this far increases bump steer dramatically. With my bars maxed out, I'd estimate that I have well over 3" of "drop out" left in the front end.

Good to know John.

- Andrew

I just didn't want to buy expensive shocks and then snap the ends off of them when out four wheeling and having the tire and a-arm hanging from the shock... Lot of weight when you get bigger tires on there. I might just make spacer to make them longer though.

I just bought a set from you.do you have washers on your shocks ,my t-bars are turned up and would like to get the best results thanksI'll add that this is really not necessary as the Bilsteins don't care where in the travel they are, and that pushing the ride height up this far increases bump steer dramatically. With my bars maxed out, I'd estimate that I have well over 3" of "drop out" left in the front end.

I'm a little confused . When I measured my Bilsteins they were 12" fully compressed , 16" fully extended and 14" at stock ride height . After cranking t-bars 7 turns they were at 15 1/2" at rest , which means they only had 1/2" of down travel left . I'd be interested to know how your getting 3" without spacers . Thanks






I'll add that this is really not necessary as the Bilsteins don't care where in the travel they are, and that pushing the ride height up this far increases bump steer dramatically. With my bars maxed out, I'd estimate that I
have well over 3" of "drop out" left in the front end.

I simply observed the distance between the top of the front tire at rest and at full droop. The shock does not travel at a 1:1 ratio with the wheel.



I'm a little confused . When I measured my Bilsteins they were 12" fully compressed , 16" fully extended and 14" at stock ride height . After cranking t-bars 7 turns they were at 15 1/2" at rest , which means they only had 1/2" of down travel left . I'd be interested to know how your getting 3" without spacers . Thanks

I've got nothing special on my 2002. On my 2005 just for grins I used the OEM cupwashers below the Bilstein units to see how it worked. Not necessary. but it seems to work. You can also use the Bilstein boot collar spacer gadgets. The boot is locked onto an hourglass shaped spacer. These are available individually, but not cheap...



I just bought a set from you.do you have washers on your shocks ,my t-bars are turned up and would like to get the best results thanks

hey craSSh is it me or my computer or the site? things just are not working in sinc, I can't erase on post replys and I can't get the latest active topics

):h CAP,
you seemed to post this time??
:duh:and why are you asking craSSh:think:? he hasnt posted on this thread:wtf:? kind of wierd ...:lol:lol