2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission A Shock "ing" Question

[EBottema]

Hey guys-



Well, finally my new tires I have had around for 3 months will be put to use. I have decided to go again hacking the truck up to put a Fabtech or Dick Cepek lift on because once it is done, that is it. I decided to go with buying the skyjacker 4. 5 front coils, lower/upper links and few extra parts like bumpstops and skid plate and relocation brackets. I only paid 599 shipped for all that instead of getting the full kit... good deal i think... . I will get custom leafs made when the suspension settles in the front. and order a DT track bar to totally make it awsome...

Skyjacker 4. 5" is tall enough and if not, i can always do a 1 inch body lift if I want it a little bit taller. .



Anyways, now onto shocks. I don't want to spend way to much money on them. I might go offroading twice a month, rest of the time I am just daily driving on the road. I would like something confortable on the road but not a terrible off road shock.



I am trying to decide between the Rancho 5000, Procomp ES3000, and the Bilstein shocks. Anyone have any recommendations? Likes and dislikes? Offroad and on road performance? Ranchos will run about 200, procomps will cost about 150 and bilsteins go for 250... .



please give me an idea of what I'm looking at and if you guys with skyjacker 4. 5 lifts want to chime in and give up some part numbers for the correct size. .



I also run a reunel front bumper and obviously have a heavy cummins 12v in the truck. Anyways, i dont care for the skyjacker dual shock front setup- should i upgrade to the fabtech dual shock setup with some soft shocks?



any ideas? im lost...



thanks

erik

 

[Fishin Guide]

All things being equal, dual shocks will ruin the ride. The reason is that most shocks ar not valved correctly and they actually resist compression more than a single setup. Ideally, you would have less compression and a little more rebound control. And this is not a one size fits all.



If you offroaded much you would want a slightly different setup.



With a heavy front end, the springs are relatively stiff. To add to the force needed to compress them on a street truck would be crazy. You do not need to slow the tire from coming upward much. So a soft compression would help soften the ride. A little tighter rebound would lessen the bounce after the suspension cycles. Of course, if it's to tight, the suspension would "pack up".



Production shocks are always a trade off. They "work" in most stock vehicles. I would stay would stay with a quality gas charged shock. Bilstein makes a great shock, you just have to have the right one. I also prefer gas shocks for thier ability to shed heat quickly.



There is a lot more that can be said about shocks, spring rates, rebound speed, compression ratio, ect, ect.



IMO, fluid shocks are a waste on heavy trucks, unless they have reserviors that allow for cooling. And usually, they are allowed to be covered with mud and rendered ineffective.



You might even try some companies like T-REX, King, Fox, ect and get some shock recommendations. I have seen what good shocks would do on barely driveable rigs. It's hard to explain the difference.



Dave

 

[EBottema]

Ya-

I think I'm going to stay away from dual shocks. Duals are going to cause a rough ride and really, they could be the cause of the cracking on some people control arm mounts- i mean it is possible since dual shocks doesnt allow for much give. Anyways. Anyone else want to chime in recommending what shock to go with for the skyjacker 4. 5 lift?



Erik

 

[willyslover]

of the three... . Bilsteins but get the good ones. . well worth the up charge

I have the pro comp on my CJ7. . waste of money IMHO

 

[Dane]

All things being equal, dual shocks will ruin the ride. The reason is that most shocks ar not valved correctly and they actually resist compression more than a single setup. Ideally, you would have less compression and a little more rebound control. And this is not a one size fits all.

Not true - Dual shocks will only cause a stiff ride if the are valved wrong for the application. The ride on my truck is far better than stock.



The problem with most of the shocks for our heavy trucks is not enough rebound damping. Especially ones designed for 1/2 ton trucks.



Two shocks will share the load and because of that, work better and last longer - less heat. You just have to get the valving right.

 

[Black-Smoker]

So does anyone have the Bilstein Part number for a truck with the 4. 5" lift.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have been running dual shocks on my 2500 for years and am more than happy with the ride compared to a single set-up. It is not too stiff and you can see by looking at my shock shafts that I use the travel available on a regular basis. I would prefer to have a high dollar shock with remote resevoir and custom tuning.

You should come out wheelin with us and see what works.



Bob

 

[Bud Fox]

Hello



Not to get off topic but why are you using just the skyjacker springs and not the complete kit( You stated FAbtech or Dick Cepek). Have you heard bad things about the skyjacker lift?? I am getting ready to install the 4. 5 lift on my truck also. What wheel tire combo are you going with?? I was looking at 16x8 with a 315 75 16 tire setup( pro comp or BFG tire). I still have the 16x7 factory wheels on mine with the 4 3/4 backspacing so I wanted wheels that dont make the tires stick out too far. If you dont mind can you PM me the price your paying. I get a good deal on lift kits maybe i can help you out on the price



Thanks

 

[EBottema]

Not to get off topic but why are you using just the skyjacker springs and not the complete kit( You stated FAbtech or Dick Cepek). Have you heard bad things about the skyjacker lift?? I am getting ready to install the 4. 5 lift on my truck also. What wheel tire combo are you going with?? I was looking at 16x8 with a 315 75 16 tire setup( pro comp or BFG tire). I still have the 16x7 factory wheels on mine with the 4 3/4 backspacing so I wanted wheels that dont make the tires stick out too far. If you dont mind can you PM me the price your paying. I get a good deal on lift kits maybe i can help you out on the price

I was planning on going with the DC or Fabtech lift which are both 6 inch in the beginning. However, on both kits, lots of fabrication and cutting is needed. Meaning, once it has been done, thats it. I didnt want that since this is my daily driver and I don't need that tall of a lift. I'd rather have a more bolt on kit that can be changed if I end up hating it. I have heard good things about the skyjacker lift except one person had a cracked control arm axle mount which I would partly blame on the dual shock setup- it doesnt allow for much "give" and could possibly cause something to warp or crack on hard off roading. I also heard someone was unhappy with the skyjacker rear springs because the truck sat lower by an inch on one side- Im getting custom ones made- no need to worry! I purchased the wheels and tires already, going with 315's and weld wheels. Any weld rim will work good since backspacing is similar to stock- Get BFG, not procomp- the most worthless tire ever I'm going with the same combo you mentioned, from what I hear, it fits fine. If I have a problem then I will go with body like 1-2 inch. That will clear any problems up.



I didnt get a kit for different reasons-

1-save money

2-most of the parts are not needed

3-i would rather design the lift kit around my truck, not the other way around



I purchased the skyjacker 4. 5 inch coil springs, upper and lower control arms, control arm relocation brackets, lower control arm skid plates, and bump stops. The price with free shipping and 10% off and a little haggiling was 500 out the door. All i need not is the track bar and custom rear springs made. Anyways, I am going with a DT tracbar to have it adjustable for the right axle position and to get rid of the death wobble. See the skyjacker kit comes with a track bar drop bracket and if you go with the DT it gets thrown in the junk pile. Same thing with the new track bar they give you and the pitman arm... . If you are interested, i will be posting the part numbers and DT part number and pictures of the before and after. I am a reseller for DT if you want their track bar... price from DT is 375 shipped but I can get it to you for 340 shipped. Let me know!



Erik

 

[Bud Fox]

this is the kit i was looking at skyjacker I was unaware that you only needed certain parts for the lift kit as i am almost double what you paid for my kit. Can you pm me your phone number so i can order the track bar. I love the weld velocity wheels but they arre only 4. 5 backspacing I think. I would definitely like to get some pics of your truck before /after.



Eric

 

[Black-Smoker]

Erik You are on the right track regarding the rear spring packs the ones skyjacker sells are junk. My truck sat almost two inches low in the back when I installed my lift. I ended up having some custom spring packs made at the local heavy truck shop now It sits leval and will haul almost anything. I have had 16,000 pounds of tile on the back and the truck rode great.