4600

[Stab]

Let us know what you think! I may go ahead and order a set for the front and wait on the rear.

That's what I'm thinkin'!

 

[Cummins12V98]

The front axle ride is vastly improved with the 4600's. The rear is fine but will go with the Bilstein's when available.

 

[Mingoglia]

The front axle ride is vastly improved with the 4600's. The rear is fine but will go with the Bilstein's when available.

Does it just control the axle better, or does it physically ride better as well? Meaning is it smoother, or about the same? At this point I don't "hate" the ride of my truck, just seems under-dampened. Seeing as it's well into the triple digit weather here in Phoenix I'm trying to determine if the ends (a better shock) justifies the means (sweating and getting attacked by mosquitos), or if I should just wait till winter.

On a side note, knowing you had a second gen truck, how's the installation of the front shocks on the new trucks? The 2nd gen could be a pain, but the new trucks actually look like they'd be easier.

Mike

 

[Cummins12V98]

Does it just control the axle better, or does it physically ride better as well? Meaning is it smoother, or about the same? At this point I don't "hate" the ride of my truck, just seems under-dampened. Seeing as it's well into the triple digit weather here in Phoenix I'm trying to determine if the ends (a better shock) justifies the means (sweating and getting attacked by mosquitos), or if I should just wait till winter.

On a side note, knowing you had a second gen truck, how's the installation of the front shocks on the new trucks? The 2nd gen could be a pain, but the new trucks actually look like they'd be easier.

Mike

I was done with both sides in 1/2 hour.

On smooth roads it makes no difference it's the harder hitting bumps that are improved on.

To me it's worth the money and the 1/2 hour time spent.

 

[HorseMan-AR]

Just keeping this thread fresh...anybody heard when 4600s might be available for rear...for those with the air suspension, that is?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Just keeping this thread fresh...anybody heard when 4600s might be available for rear...for those with the air suspension, that is?

It's your turn to call Bilstein. I did about 3 months ago. They said not available at that time.

 

[HorseMan-AR]

I'll call them next week if I can remember! I find it hard to believe they're not available. I'm wondering if our rear shocks are really that different. I'm thinking about taking one off and measuring it at full extension and at full compression and comparing that to existing belstein specs...or other name branded shocks just to see.

I'm kinda like you...the OEM shocks feel decent on smooth roads, but the big bumps are what gets me. Since I've a SRW, I've noticed the rear seems mushy at times when towing fiver.

It's your turn to call Bilstein. I did about 3 months ago. They said not available at that time.

 

[HorseMan-AR]

Update on rear shocks for 3500 with OEM air: called Bilstein today - the North Carolina factory. Talked to knowledgeable sales guy (seemed pretty knowledgeable about the engineering aspect too) named Mike. He said about 6 months on something for the 3500 with OEM air (just the shock). Something I thought even more exciting: He said about a year on something more fancy - he discussed that Bilstein is working on something that might be plug/play for the OEM rear air, some type of adjustable shock/system that would work perfectly with the air system (he was purposefully vague, of course, for engineering reasons - it's still being discussed and sorted out). Don't ask me, but it sounded good. He stated the issue with the OEM air is that the OEM shock sort of acts like a "limiting strap" (language used by another forum member recently when he and I were discussing this issue) for the air bags...you don't want to over extend the bags, and you don't to compress them too much. Either way, you either tear the bag from the axle/frame or compress them too much and rupture them. So, the OEM shocks appear to limit the travel. I really appreciated his help - super nice guy.

Anyways, there is a guy over on another forum that called the OEM shocks just that - a limiting strap of sorts. He replaced his rear shocks with the 5100 - said it rides better. He measured the OEM shocks: fully compressed the factory is 19.5. Fully extended is 26". Only 6.5" of travel - kinda crazy, but it supports the idea of the limiting strap factor. I asked Bilstein for the dimensions of the 4600s that exist for the 2014 models - he stated 17.20 fully compressed and 27.87 fully extended - way too much extension for the OEM system. He said the 4600s now would work (he thinks, if the hardware/mounting points/bolt sizes were still the same), but you run the risk of having a poor ride or destroying the bags - which is why Bilstein will not recommend any shock for the 2015 3500 OEM air system.

So, we either wait for the rear shocks, or get something and run the risk of messing something up. He promised they are working on something - they've already had a truck in for testing!

That's the update! Someone else can volunteer in 6 months!

On Edit: I called the shockwarehouse and while you can plug in 2015 3500 and get a shock, they indicate the same - nothing specific for the 3500 with OEM air for the rear.

 

[Mingoglia]

So it sounds like a simple limiting strap, sold by offroad shops (I have them on my Jeep) may be an option. Simple weld on brackets. Okay, simple for those of us who weld I suppose. LOL Sometimes you can use existing bolts, such as the top/rear bolt for the shocks. I assume the top of the shocks use a crosspin which may make it more difficult.

 

[Cummins12V98]

We finally took out our HEAVY MobileSuites for a trip over the cascades this weekend. At this point I really have no reason to change to Bilstein's on the rear. The truck rode great! Even unloaded, the only area that still could use improvement would be the front end but the fact is it's HD! Rear axle weighed 9,580# and the truck still sat nice and level.

 

[Mingoglia]

We finally took out our HEAVY MobileSuites for a trip over the cascades this weekend. At this point I really have no reason to change to Bilstein's on the rear. The truck rode great! Even unloaded, the only area that still could use improvement would be the front end but the fact is it's HD! Rear axle weighed 9,580# and the truck still sat nice and level.

Have you played around with using standard height vs alternate height with your setup? I believe you posted some pics with your other trailer at the height difference, but how about driving impressions at the two heights?

That's a whole lotta king pin weight. My truck, which is the same as yours except as you know a mega cab long bed conversion, is 3,720lbs at the drive axle, full of fuel with just me in it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Here ya go! This is alt ride mode. Truck handles the weight extremely well!

Front 5,460

Rear 9,580

RV 17,500

Total 32,540

 

[Mingoglia]

Have you driven it at "normal" height and compared the two?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Really not much difference, regular maybe 1" or so higher. I leave it in alt ride always.

Did not notice any ride difference.

 

[gsbrockman]

Anyone changed their front shocks to Bilstien's on a 13 and newer 3500?

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-018-miles-with-Bilstein-4600-s-not-impressed!!

 

[HorseMan-AR]

Nice rig...both of them!

Here ya go! This is alt ride mode. Truck handles the weight extremely well!

Front 5,460

Rear 9,580

RV 17,500

Total 32,540

View attachment 92193

 

[Cummins12V98]

Thanks! HorseMan-AR

Really loved pulling the grades this last weekend.

 

[gsbrockman]

Thanks! HorseMan-AR

Really loved pulling the grades this last weekend.

Just did the math on your scale.....looks like you were about 1,040 over on the truck GVWR but well within your GCWR. What area were you towing in???

 

[Cummins12V98]

Just did the math on your scale.....looks like you were about 1,040 over on the truck GVWR but well within your GCWR. What area were you towing in???

I don't worry about going over the 14K since that is a class 3 limit and really means nothing. I am under the front and rear axle ratings.

I towed over highway 2 to Eastern WA from North of Seattle. Slowest was 44mph in 3rd all temps were very good! That was some steep grades coming up to the summit and then some after crossing the pass for sure over 6%. On the way back we went over I-90. The grade coming West up a long grade from the Columbia River is called Vantage Pass. With my 11 HO Dually towing a combined 30K I pulled it at 58mph. The new truck and RV grossing at 32,540# pulled it at 62 with no issues at all in 4th gear. Then pulled Snoqualmie pass on I-90 with cruise set at 60 with no problems.

Can't wait to pull I-5 South to compare my speeds with my last RV and TV at 30K.

Very impressed with the whole experience. Rear air ride is for sure an improvement over my 11 even with Bilstein's and air bags.

This is Stevens pass HWY 2

Below is from Vantage Pass

 

[Badunit]

I installed 4600's on my 2014 2500 w/ the 6.4L Hemi. Before selling it, I swapped them to my 2015 2500 CTD. They made a huge difference on the lighter Hemi truck, it became a firm ride. They made less difference with the heavier CTD but still noticeable and firmer. Both were 2500's so I cannot comment on the difference they may make on a 3500.