Bilstein shocks are on!

[Dane]

Yeah, I know talking shocks on the TDR is only slightly less likely to start a heated 100+ reply thread than talking oil #ad
But these shocks are GREAT! #ad
#ad
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Waaayyy better ride than the Edelbrocks. Smaller bumps feel like butter now and the big whompers quit launching me up out of the seat hard against the belts. Yeah, the roads around my house suck, a patchwork of patched potholes with earthquake whoops thrown in for giggles. The front end stopped bottoming out over the super size speed bumps and deep vee'd driveways. Make sure you get the over 8400 gvr rated ones if you try em. Now, if they just last longer than the last 2 brands of gas filled I've tried...

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[BLACKRAM]

I got them, and they ride like the seat is bolted to the axle. Bilstein does make the best shock in the world. The only difference between the over 8400gvw and the under 8400 is the length of the shock (according to Bilstein). They are so stiff, I am going to put the factory ones back on.

Don't worry about them wearing out, Bilsteins last well over 100,000 miles.

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1999 2500 4x4, auto, 3. 54 LSD, HD241, Quad cab SLT, Blk Sport Pkg, 16x8 Eagles, 285 Bridgestone AT, Bilsteins, 100% Amsoil, 80/100w lights, Valentine One, DTT TC/vb, Mag-Hytek trans pan, DD2's, DD TTPM, Isspro gauges.
1992 SC400
1978 Mooney 201 IFR

[This message has been edited by 2000ney (edited 04-09-2001). ]

 

[TowPro]

Im with Dane on this one, I think the Bilstens ride much softer then the factory shocks. And no more bouncing like a overloaded lead sled on those high speed woops we have on the PA roads.

 

[dresslered]

I'm not quite sure if it applies to the truck shocks, but on the automobile shocks if they do wear out, they are replaced free. On my car, I replace them free every 200,000 miles whether they need it or not.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, HO Cummins (ETH), 6-Speed (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 LSD, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Heated Leather, Sliding Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine + diff. temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec, Mopar Tow Hooks, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper. "Do it in a Dually"

 

[TomGolden]

Dane, Are the Bilstein's adjustable like the Rancho's? I'm not trying to encourage flame fests on this topic, I am just curious, as I have no experience as yet with after market shocks, but am very interested...

Thanks,
Tom

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Tom Golden
Godzilla: Patriot Blue 2001 2500 SLT QC 4X4 LWB ETH/DEE, Tow & Camper packages, 3. 54 Ltd. Slip, 4 wheel disc ABS, Isspro EGT/boost gauges, DD Stage 3 afterburners , boost module, 4" Jardine exhaust, Amsoil, Psychotty air, black SmittyBilt nerf bars, no silencer ring, Armacoating bed liner, TDR decal, Jack holiday antenna ball

NRA Life/CRPA/El Dorado #26 F. &A. M. of California

 

[24V-DSL]

Hi Tom... .

Bilsteins are not adjustable. I have them on my truck, and without a doubt they are the best shock I've owned. I had both Edelbrock IAS and Pro-Comp ES9000 on my 97 Dakota 4x4, and even though this is not a truly fair comparison, the Bilsteins are best.

I have no experience with Rancho, and am not looking to get flamed, but I'm just not a "gadget" guy. It's the very fact that they are adjustable that makes me shy away. I clearly know that this statement will probably stand alone with no other support from anyone.

Also, Hotchkis performance suspensions use Bilsteins as their shock.

Joe

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White 2001. 5 2500 ST, SWB, 4X4,QC, AUTO, 4. 10's, LSD, 285/75/16 On Weld Outbacks, PIAA 510's, Line-x, Tinted glass, Redline 85+, Blow-by-bye, RE-0880 & 25-0880,muffler fell off,level truck with 2" tuff country kit, Bilsteins at the corners, Di Pricol egt and boost, Mag-hytec "original flavor" transmission pan and Dana 70 diff. cover. Custom Plate 24V-DSL

 

[Scooby]

What the heck?!

How can 2000ney and Dane and TowPro have such vastly different opinions on the ride?

2000ney, how many miles did your stock shocks have on them before you replaced them? I'm thinking maybe your stock shocks were so worn out that had you replaced them with new factory shocks, the ride may have even been harder... . Just a theory!

 

[OILBRNR]

I'm with Scooby, why such a variance in the two explanations of firmness?

I've had Bilsteins on three different vehicles over the past 10 years, and always thought they were a bit on the stiff side. Which is one of the reasons I've been considering the 9000s. However, I know the Bilstein quality, and how long they provide a consistant ride for 100k+ miles. And given the weight in the front of our Rams and my 360# Tommy Gate dangling on the rear, I still think the Bilsteins might be the way to go.

Ugh!!


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'99 4x4 • SB • QC • 3. 54 • LSD • AT • Leather • Mag-Hytec • Westach Guages • Line-X • Tommy Gate

 

[redram]

96 3500 extended cab 2 wd.

OE shocks were terrible from day one. Front end bounce. Tried the Monroe Gas Magnums at 12000 miles. Not any better. Got a set of front and rear monroes for sale, less than 12K on them.

Ordered the Bilsteins after alot of factory research. They immendiately eliminated the front end bounce. I think the big difference in the Bilsteins is the vastly improved rebound rate (it's alot stiffer) so that the truck compresses down, comes up and settles in one cycle rather than the 2 or 3 of the OE and Monrod shocks.

Had them on almost 100,000 miles now and they are still working great.

Get ya some, they work.

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[BLACKRAM]

Scooby, I had 39,400 miles when I removed the factory shocks. They were not worn out.

The Bilsteins are not too bad on the front, but the back rides like I said before, "The seat feels like it is bolted to the axle". My tire pressures are set at 46 front, and 40 rear (in an empty truck). Control and rebound are better than stock, as you would expect from a much stiffer shock. They are warrantied for life.

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1999 2500 4x4, auto, 3. 54 LSD, HD241, Quad cab SLT, Blk Sport Pkg, 16x8 Eagles, 285 Bridgestone AT, Bilsteins, 100% Amsoil, 80/100w lights, Valentine One, DTT TC/vb, Mag-Hytek trans pan, DD2's, DD TTPM, Isspro gauges.
1992 SC400
1978 Mooney 201 IFR

 

[TowPro]

I removed my factory shocks at 60K, they were bouncing pretty bad in the front, but no leaks showing.

I run 32-35 PSI in my back tires and 50 front, wonder if that makes any difference?

 

[red1ton]

What I found with the factory shocks is they were too stiff when the truck was empty and too soft when I put on the camper. I assume (I know, bad idea) the non adjustable shocks are designed to work best with a specific load or load range. I went with the Rancho's because you can adjust them based on the load.

I understand they are great shocks, but how do the Bilstein shocks handle the different load conditions?

Again, not trying to stard a brand war, only curious what you have found.

#ad


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2001, 3500, 2X4, QC, SLT, Auto, 3. 54 gears, camper and tow packages. Lance model 1130 camper. Rancho 9000 5 Speed shocks. BD Brake, autoloc, pressureloc. Hadley air horns. OEM bugshield w/eyebrows and dash cover. Member San Jose Ram Runners.

 

[dresslered]

Yeah, red1ton, I can tell that you are trying to start something. #ad


I have always used Bilsteins on all of my cars and have heard that they are great on SUV's, but I too am concerned about the extreme variations with payload (i. e. empty truck vs. 4000-lb. camper ridin' on the back).

 

[Scooby]

2000ney,

Ok, I think I got it... . I'm paying extra attention to this thread becuase of the rear end bouncing - the cement highways in So. Cal. really turn some trips into cookie tossers!

I will be installing the roadmasters this weekend - and was hoping to throw some new shocks on as well... guess I'll have to just try a set - eh?

 

[barrfishe1]

I am satisfied with the Bilsteins I put on
my truck. Less front end bounce and better
rear end "control". They also seem to work
o-k with the Lance camper, although some
road surfaces seem to cause undulations if
that word says what the truck does #ad


97 3500 club cab camper & trailer tow

81 VW diesel