thinkpt how are the new sulastic springs?

 

Just thought I would let y'all know that I got an email from someone at sulastic about an order that I am about to place. I have the Bilstein 5100's on the front and rear of my truck that were installed with the ORU leveling kit. He said that if you have this setup or another setup with the Bilstein shocks, that you should order the sulastic model that is intended for the 1500's rather than the 2500's. His actual words:
"We recommend use the adjustable shock absorbers, in order to set up the suspension to the best ride.
The application rubber spring model for GMC 2500 is SA-04 HD but if you want keep the bilsein shock absorbers we recomen to use the model SA-04 that has the same measurements but different calibration and the diference can compensate the high pressure of the shock absorbers. If you want to do that order on line like a GMC 1500."

Hope this helps!

 

Just thought I would let y'all know that I got an email from someone at sulastic about an order that I am about to place. I have the Bilstein 5100's on the front and rear of my truck that were installed with the ORU leveling kit. He said that if you have this setup or another setup with the Bilstein shocks, that you should order the sulastic model that is intended for the 1500's rather than the 2500's. His actual words:
"We recommend use the adjustable shock absorbers, in order to set up the suspension to the best ride.
The application rubber spring model for GMC 2500 is SA-04 HD but if you want keep the bilsein shock absorbers we recomen to use the model SA-04 that has the same measurements but different calibration and the diference can compensate the high pressure of the shock absorbers. If you want to do that order on line like a GMC 1500."

Hope this helps!

i called them and they said get the 2500hd ones but if you run bilsteins to get the 1500 ones. i guess thats verifies what you said about being stiff. they also make a lowering kit for the rear to go with the springs but i didn't understand how it went on. it looks like it makes two pivot points on the rear and that wouldn't be good. if you have time check it out on their website and let me know if you see how it goes on and what you think about it. thank.

With respect to Sulastic I have been getting a ton of PM's and emails about this subject.


That email from Sulastic is not a good theory. I talked to Sulastic and the engineer and I swapped info and I feel they were too fast in responding with that statement. Shocks control the suspension movement. They don't hold load so that doesn't make sense in my book. It would be like saying you should use 1500 springs on a 2500 because you have Bilsteins. Bilstein shocks have been the number one shock upgrade for GM owners to project a better ride, and that in itself has been proven and many members can testify to that. So compensating for a Bilstein with a 1500 shackle doesn't make sense. In theory, dropping to a 1500 shackle would decrease your load capacity.

Sulastic shackles have been a GREAT suspension upgrade and I am glad we have become a dealer for them. All the trucks we have done the Sulastics on have Bilsteins paired with the correct shackle per truck - all has been great.



Nor-Cal Nick

 

wonder why the velvet rides went away? they were made by BFG I believe

 

how about an update on the sulastics

 

What type of update are you seeking? Price, quality, performance, satisfaction?

I know there are a few others who have made the plunge so to speak, but I am still very happy the Sulastics are on our truck. The price was worth it for the results obtained.

I have not heard from anyone who has the springs, complain about them not doing what they were designed to do. I feel like it would have been a mistake to go the shocks route, since they only make the ride stiffer instead of softer, especially in normal everyday driving conditions.

If you are looking for a more cushioned ride to the rear end, I don't think you can make a better choice other than loading a few hundred pounds of sandbags or maybe a water bladder in the bed of your truck.

Good luck and let us know if you make the leap!

 

i called them and they said get the 2500hd ones but if you run bilsteins to get the 1500 ones. i guess thats verifies what you said about being stiff. they also make a lowering kit for the rear to go with the springs but i didn't understand how it went on. it looks like it makes two pivot points on the rear and that wouldn't be good. if you have time check it out on their website and let me know if you see how it goes on and what you think about it. thank.

 

I did not see a lowering kit on the website, just the stock video. I do not understand why you would want to run 1500 springs on a 2500HD just because you have the Bilsteins. Did they explain why? Are you talking to a local dealer or the mfg in San Jose? I see the price has increased since I put mine on, seems everything is going up though.

 

i called the number on the website and talked to an indian guy. he was pretty hard to understand but he is the one that told me the bilsteins make the truck ride stiff so you want the 1500 springs to compensate for the stiffness. here is the lowering kit. it is not much info but its a pic.
https://www.sulastic.com/default.aspx

 

I followed your link and came to the main page. The only pictures I saw were of the cartoon video and the motion video of the actual spring. That is not a lowering kit.

I was very happy with the service I got from my local dealer here in Central California. You may want to call and talk to Dan Blocher at California Off Road in Modesto. 209-577-4252

email: caoffrd@sbcglobal.net

Dan sold and installed my springs and may be able to answer your question better than I have.

 

We have them available also here at Nor-Cal Truck.


Here is the DP special in the Vendor Info & Specials


Sulastic Rubber Springs




Nor-Cal Nick

 

go to their website and go to the price list link. the lowering kits are the first things pictured.

Nick what do you think of the sulastic springs. have you put them on and ridden in the truck and seen the difference. Also look at the lowering kit and see if it makes sense. I don't understand how the lowering kit works.

 

Well, it looks like this thread is close to the end of its life. Any last words out there? For the record, everything has been textbook for me, very satisfied.

 

Sorry I missed your ?? tbfountain.

Yes I did install a set on my truck and they work great. I matched them with a set of air helper bags and a pair of Bilstein's of my choice. Truck rides great, I lost all that harsh dually feel going down the highway. I did jump in another dually and drove it for about 20 min's on the same highway and man I felt a BIG difference over mine.



Marblejunkie,
What other product are you using with the Sulastic's? Shocks or bags?



Nor-Cal Nick

 

Nick,
Just the springs, everything else is stock as far as the suspension goes. My lovely wife is happy with the difference they made. Good for me!

 

Ha Ha .. Wife .. Mine was very happy also. So they are WIFE approved

 

How hard was installation? how long did it take?

 

All you are doing for install is changing the shackle. Fastest way is to drop the rear trailer hitch so you can get to shackle bolts.

 

Happy wife; Happy LIFE!!

 

Hey Nick in that pic your top bolt is so much more forward then mine. I wonder if I installed the Sulastics incorrectly my bolts are straight up and down. mine look more like marblejunkies

 

Hey Nick in that pic your top bolt is so much more forward then mine. I wonder if I installed the Sulastics incorrectly my bolts are straight up and down. mine look more like marblejunkies

Sorry ... I didn't think about that pic till you said .. It was in the air hanging. So yes yours is OK.


Great catch....

 

Got mine on Friday. WIFE Approved!!!! They really help with the "kidney shot" bumps, almost not even there. Best mod on the dually yet until the lift gets done!!!

Thanks Nick!!!

 

Yes I will agree with the above statement. These really helped with the concrete freeway as well as everyday jarring bumps money well spent. Thanks Nick.

 

im very interested in these shackles as the freeway bounce is rediculous with a CC LB setup like mine. i have firestone air springs on my truck, is there even any point to putting in these shackles with the bags? i need the bags for the 5ers heavy pin weight, but the truck rides like shiat unloaded and any help would be GREAT!

if nothing else, maybe ill have to look into the kelderman air ride system...........

 

im very interested in these shackles as the freeway bounce is rediculous with a CC LB setup like mine. i have firestone air springs on my truck, is there even any point to putting in these shackles with the bags? i need the bags for the 5ers heavy pin weight, but the truck rides like shiat unloaded and any help would be GREAT!

if nothing else, maybe ill have to look into the kelderman air ride system...........

i was also wondering the same thing. after looking at the shackle and how it opperates you would think that the pumping up the airbags would just unfold the shackle ????

 

I haven't installed the sulastic springs yet either, but I'm looking to soon. I'm also wondering if, and how, my air bags will interfere/effect the ride if I get them installed. Will there be any improvement in the ride or will it be worth it? I imagine the more air pressure you run, the less effective the springs will be. I run about 10 lbs. in them unless I'm towing. Anyone out there have these springs and air bags? Does Nick have any idea?

 

NorCal Nick installed the Sulastics for me last week. They eliminate that immediate spring-to-frame harshness induced at every bump. They also eliminate the annoying vibration in the leaf ... the feedback-whip vibration (spring-stutter?) immediately after a bump. The Bilsteins had already tamed it quite a bit, but the Sulastic shackles totally damp it out.

Just back from 300+ miles on NorCal freeways, and I'm totally satisfied with the Sulastics, drop-version. I don't have airbags, but Nick's white dually has them plus the Sulastics for everyday comfort. His CC dually rides exactly like my XCab.

 

Hmmm ... by now, Nick, you must be Sulastic's numero-uno Platinum dealer ~!!!
):h

NorCal Nick installed the Sulastics for me last week. They eliminate that immediate spring-to-frame harshness induced at every bump. They also eliminate the annoying rear end whip-vibration (spring-stutter?) immediately after a bump. The Bilsteins had already tamed it quite a bit, but the Sulastic shackles totally damp it out.

Just back from 300+ miles on NorCal freeways, and I'm totally satisfied with the Sulastics, drop-version.

Still totally satisfied w/Sulastics & Bilsteins.
But I have it sitting almost dead-level right now (F-41.5", R-42.0").
Snugtop, Bedrug and some gear getting added later this week ....

Hey Nick ... prolly 2 Navvy-hrs if I need to remove those drop shackles ????

 

when i dont have the trailer hooked up, i have about 5psi in em. firestone says to keep 5 in em when unloaded so thats what i do. if these shackles are worth the $$ then ill have to see about gettin some and runnin the bags down a little lower.

right now i keep about 300# of gravel in bags at the very back of the bed to help with the ride, but they are always in the way which is annoying

 

I have them with the 4" deavers and they work great. makes the rear end feel wayyy better than stock. I have airbags as well and keep no air in them. I would recommend them to all. well worth the money.