I had installed new torsion bar keys and still had a little bit of "bouncy" feel from the front end.


Tonight I installed the new Bilsteins I ordered and WHAT A IMPROVEMENT!! NOW the truck feels right!


Even if you leave your truck totally stock, I would HIGHLY suggest a shock upgrade. its easy to do yourself and only costs a couple three hundred bucks for a MUCH improved ride.

Felt the exact same way after I put on my Edelbrocks. @ 21K my stock shocks were well on there way out. It has been the best improvement I have made. Did you try to push in or pull out on your stock shocks after you removed them?

Yes, as a matter of fact. After I removed the first front shock, I compared it to the replacement and it felt like the stock shock had 1/4th the resistance and took 3 times as long to rebound. Mind you, my stock shocks dont even have 1000 miles on them! I cant believe they put such crappy shocks on from the factory on a 7000+ lb. vehiclehttp://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

2muchfun,


which bilsteins did you get and where did you order them from? do you have a part number? are they a little longer than the stock shocks?


thanks

DO NOT get the stock replacement yellow shocks if you are adjusting your torsion bars. You MUST get the 5100s up front. They are a couple three inches longer than stock (whereas the stock replacements form Bilstein are actually a bit shorter than stock!)


Its hard to read on the box and I cant quite see the number on the shocks, but I believe its:


F4-BF5-A197-H0 The only digits Im not sure of are the last two.


But on my invoice, they list the part number as: BIL BE5-6140-T5


Which is probably their part number for the pair of front shocks.


This place was refered to me directly from a Bilstein Technician. They actually have a Torsion bar Key and shock kit so they knew exactly what I needed when I called.


They are:


Off Road Unlimited


2102 W. Kenmere Avenue


Burbank, CA. 91504


818-563-DIRTEdited by: 2MuchFun

I replaced mine at 400miles. I did not even have a chance to feel the factory ride. I did compair the compression on the rear shocks and there was a major difference. The factory sounding like it had air or sad in them. Bilsteins made a major difference in ride....at first I hated it but I guess they needed to brake-in...now they are great. No more rolling feel or nose drive in braking.

The Bilsteins are sooo much better than stock......


especially when towinghttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gifEdited by: Blinky

thanks for the help. just got back from offroad unlimited and picked up a set of bilstein 5100's.

theyre awesome!!!! thanks again 2muchfun

2MuchFun,

Torsion bar keys?? Help a dummy, what purpose, what price, what source?

They change the location of the cam on the bar so that you get a higher setpoint before loading them. This makes the front end a bit higher yet avoids the 'bounce' that you get by cranking the stock keys to the max. That place Offroad Unlimited offers a kit but you cant put the keys on yourself as theres a special tool needed plus you need to get an alignment. I had my keys put on for about $250 at a local shop which included alignment but not shocks.


A lift is actually the better way to go, but I only wanted enough room to clear the H2 tires..

I've noticed a number of folks have stated that they did not like the Bilsteins right after installing them. Why is that?


Overall, do the Bilsteins ride harsher?Edited by: Roegs

No, not harsher, but decidedly firmer. Relative body/wheel motion is much more controlled. If you like the wallowing, pillowy ride of the stock shocks, the Bilsteins may not be for you. However, if you like to think that body and wheels are actually connected and under control, you'll like Bilsteins, Ranchos, or about anything else!