Let’s talk shocks

[monovasia]

2012 2500 6.7/115k with the factory shocks... hauling my 3 horse gooseneck up here in Colorado.... want to change them out in a month or two before show season starts...highway, country, dirt roads... not much beyond that...

The MOPAR product did well imo for me... any other brands I should look at? Not hauling heavy beyond the trailer...

 

[Lordsman]

Bilstein's are very popular here. I've used them on my last 3 trucks. You can buy them at Geno's Garage.

 

[nukegm]

x2 on the bilsteins and genos. nice shock. on my 18 2500. perfect for the venezuela style roads colorado has. cheers!

 

[C M McCormick]

And you can buy them from Geno's Garage..

Craig

 

[Makensmoke]

"Upgraded" to Fox 2.0's a few years ago. Replaced them a few weeks ago with Bilsteins. The Fox had leaking shaft seals (rear only). We'll see how this goes. Can't tell much difference in the ride.

Should mention that Fox 2.0's were pretty hard to come by. I checked on having them rebuilt, and considered it until I had to cut the shaft to get the drivers side out. Assuming a new shaft (and the wait) would be more than just buying new- I opted for new.

 

[SSage]

Bilsteins have been very durable on my trucks. I did try Rancho twice and a Gabriel set on my old truck years ago and the Bilsteins lasted much longer. I've got a silver set on my low mile 2003 thats over 12 years old now, no issues. The 2wd has the yellow ones for 8 years now I think. My last set of Ranchos only lasted one tire change, front cupping issues. Wasn't impressed, they leaked. I tried the 9000 and 5000 I think. I still run Rancho 5000 steering stabilizers, but the white paint doesn't last, they rust too much IMO. But they fit my really old Rancho steering brackets, otherwise I would not run them. Genos is where I got mine a few times. The Bilsteins are much stronger on the front end of my diesel trucks. I like the valving on the silver ones.

 

[monovasia]

Bilsteins have been very durable on my trucks. I did try Rancho twice and a Gabriel set on my old truck years ago and the Bilsteins lasted much longer. I've got a silver set on my low mile 2003 thats over 12 years old now, no issues. The 2wd has the yellow ones for 8 years now I think. My last set of Ranchos only lasted one tire change, front cupping issues. Wasn't impressed, they leaked. I tried the 9000 and 5000 I think. I still run Rancho 5000 steering stabilizers, but the white paint doesn't last, they rust too much IMO. But they fit my really old Rancho steering brackets, otherwise I would not run them. Genos is where I got mine a few times. The Bilsteins are much stronger on the front end of my diesel trucks. I like the valving on the silver ones.

Ok Gents! Bilsteins it is!! Thanks as always for the council and feedback

 

[Cummins12V98]

Really not much or any difference between yellow-blue and silver other than silver are for stock to 2" lift.

 

[monovasia]

Really not much or any difference between yellow-blue and silver other than silver are for stock to 2" lift.

Thanks for this...

 

[AH64ID]

Really not much or any difference between yellow-blue and silver other than silver are for stock to 2" lift.

The valving is different between the 4600 and 5100’s, that’s the main difference. Height comes into play too, but a 4” lift shock operates the same as a 6” lift shock, from what I’ve been told by Bilstien.

4600’s are for stock height, but 5100’s will work on 0-2” lifts, as well as taller lifts depending on the part number.

I ran 5100’s on stock height rear and 1” front on my 05.

If you live on the highway with stock tires then 4600’s are a good choice. If you run a heavier wheel/tire combo or do some back road driving I’d opt for the 5100.

 

[brillmtb1]

I have tried bilsteens, fox 2.0 and now rancho adjustables. I like the last the best especially since I go from empty to camper in bed.

 

[kthaxton]

Yes, the silver 5100's are valved slightly stiffer.

 

[brillmtb1]

In my experience so far while the 5100 were stiffer the ranchos giving me even more adjustability in both directions. I could of had the fox rebuilt but then stuck with perhaps too stiff.

 

[monovasia]

Ok Gents! Bilsteins it is!! Thanks as always for the council and feedback

Update: got them on yesterday...Obviously a huge difference over the OEM Mopars with 115k on them...from my chair, the highway ride was not objectionable at all.... a "smooth stiffness" if u will... one other data point is Mopar now only makes front shocks for my year... thanks again for the council