Bilstein Shocks For Gen III 2wd Rams Now Shipping (I'm told)

[HBarlow]

Bilstein Shocks For Gen III 2wd Rams Now Shipping

Several months ago I started a new thread announcing that I had been told by Bilstein and Off Road Warehouse that new shocks for 2wd Gen III Rams had just become available. I had ordered a set. Well, I was embarrassed that I made that announcement. I was given incorrect information by Bilstein. The shocks were not ready for marketing and were never shipped. For several months now I have alternated between waiting patiently and growing impatient and calling ORW to demand my money back. Today I called to tell ORW to forget it and credit back my money to my credit card and the internet sales rep looked at the records and said my shocks were shipped to me on Friday and I should receive them tomorrow.



I believe he was telling me the truth. I guess I'll know in a day or two. I think ORW has been caught up in the same mistaken erroneous information from Bilstein that I and other TDR members were.



If anyone is still waiting for Bilsteins for his 2wd Gen III Ram you can probably call Off Road Warehouse or Geno's and order them.



Harvey

 

[TowPro]

Harvey, are these for the 06 in your Sig? wonder if the SRW is different

 

[HBarlow]

Towpro:



An interesting question. The unsprung weight on a dually would obviously be greater than on a SRW Ram and for precise rebound control would require different shock valving. However, our Rams are just trucks, not refined luxury cars. My guess would be the products are the same. I don't think Bilstein or other shock manufacturers would be willing to spend the additional research and development money to engineer similar but different products for a relatively small market when one product can be bolted up to either application and would work well (not perfectly).



I don't have mine yet. Right now I'm assuming US Mail, UPS, and other package shippers are slow due to the Christmas season. I hope I don't discover that ORW is in a financial bind and trying to keep my money.



If you are curious or wanting to replace your OEM shocks why don't you call ORW or Genos and see if they tell you Bilsteins are available. If they are let TDR members know. From the interest I've read in this forum in the last few months I think many fellow members are waiting to order a set.



Harvey

 

[raychem]

I talked to the guys at bilstein while at PRI last week, like you I have my rears and have been waiting about 6 months for my fronts. The guys there confirmed that the 603's arrived last monday and shipped the following day to there distributors. You should see them soon as should I.



Richard

 

[olznut]

When you have them in your hot little hands, please let me know. I went back and forth with them for 3 months before I cancelled my order, and the story was always the same, as it started with "they're on the way" and a few days later "no update on when they'll be available"

 

[LSteiner]

Shock Backorder

I ordered a full set from shockwarehouse.com on 11/22/06.



Received the rears about a week later but nothing on the fronts. I Checked

the status of my order (online) today and they still show as backordered.



Larry

 

[HBarlow]

To All Who Are Interested:



My new shocks arrived from Off Road Warehouse tonight. I haven't opened the box yet to verify what I received but I have no reason to think it is anything other than a set of four new Bilsteins for my 2wd Ram 3500 DRW.



Harvey

 

[LSteiner]

Let's hope

Hope there are 4 in box instead of just two

 

[HBarlow]

I opened the box. There are four shocks inside.



Harvey

 

[TowPro]

I just called Bilstein, all I asked about was the 2WD trucks.

They say the 603 is for up to and including 2005. If I was to put it on my 2006 and something went wrong with it, the warrantee would not be valid.



The 2006 1500 is in development, with no information at all about the 06 2500-3500's



What a crock of crap.

 

[raychem]

I just called Bilstein, all I asked about was the 2WD trucks.

They say the 603 is for up to and including 2005. If I was to put it on my 2006 and something went wrong with it, the warrantee would not be valid.



The 2006 1500 is in development, with no information at all about the 06 2500-3500's



What a crock of crap.

Hey towpro,



check to see if the front and rears for the 05 and 06 are the same part numbers from the dealer... if they are your in business and bilstein will adapt their number later.



richard

 

[raychem]

Just to let you know... my fronts(603's) just walked thru the door so we should all see them soon.





Richard

 

[HBarlow]

TowPro,



It appears that the last place to call to ask about Bilstein products is Bilstein. Apparently their customer service or public information staff are not as good as the engineers who design their products.



I can't think of any reason why 2005 shocks wouldn't be identical to 2006. The only differences I am aware of are the grill/bumper/headlights and placement of the Cummins badges. Oops, forgot. The 48RE is compatible with Jake brakes on '06 but not '05. (That will remind a lot of '05 owners to be mad again. )



Harvey

Harvey

 

[TowPro]

I agree they should fit, as soon as you put yours on I wil know for sure



As far as calling the dealer, I did. They would only help me if I gave them the VIN of both trucks. Remember the "good old days" when parts guys could look up stuff by application year and not VIN". I bet they still can but they just don't want to help me.

 

[raychem]

I agree they should fit, as soon as you put yours on I wil know for sure



As far as calling the dealer, I did. They would only help me if I gave them the VIN of both trucks. Remember the "good old days" when parts guys could look up stuff by application year and not VIN". I bet they still can but they just don't want to help me.

Towpro... I got your info. . The 2wd trucks 03-06 use the same shocks for the front and rear 2500-3500. NOW the 4x4 has had a part number change from the 05 to 06 model year. They could be the same shock(mounting that is) but different valving... I do not know. My parts guy at dodge is the man!!!

 

[TowPro]

thanks Raychem! But I just bought a Henry goldenboy so the shocks got to wait a couple weeks.

 

[raychem]

Just passing along the information!!!

 

[TowPro]

Raychem, How do you like your new shocks? Being that you live in Miami, I guess its still warm enough to put them on

 

[raychem]

Raychem, How do you like your new shocks? Being that you live in Miami, I guess its still warm enough to put them on

Let me start by saying that it's been in the 60's the last 2 days... Miami winter! Yeah I installed the shocks Sat. night and let me tell you; What stock shocks? My pasenger left was leaking so I know it was not working, and the drivers front was shot, you could compress it and it would rise again but you could time it with a stop watch, go get coffee, use the bathroom and it would still be on it's way up. The rears were still in good condition though but I do not tow anything. Now as you can imagine, the new shocks made a world of difference. The truck rides a bit stiffer but more comfortable since the truck does not bounce up and down like it used too. I can go over RR tracks without having to slow down it is a night and day difference in the ride. Overall I really really like the shocks since it is my first time with bilsteins. I have used every single brand since 97 and the only other brand I liked was Tokico. The others(rancho 9000, kyb's they were ok, Monroe) are to soft IMO and a truck is a truck and should ride like one.



The only thing that sucked was the wait since I have had them on order since May but nothing is perfect and RD takes time. Now that there in... I am a happy camper.

 

[TowPro]

Thanks raychem, As soon as my part time business "accounts receivable" catches up to me I will be buying some!