Rear Shocks 3500 with Air Suspension

[EZeis]

I have to admit I got a good laugh out of that one. "just fine"...isn't for some. I've never had a set of OEM shocks on any of my vehicles that I was happy with. Glad they are working out for your usage.

My OE shocks on my 07 2500 had 140k on them and no issues. Installed Bilstein shocks and saw no difference, money wasted. My 18 3500 the OE shocks work well too.


Earl

 

[AH64ID]

I put Bilstein 5100’s on my ‘05 3500 SRW at 86K miles and the difference was night and day.

So far my bone stock ‘18 is better than the modded ‘05. So far I have no needs, wants, desires to change the stock shocks.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have to admit I got a good laugh out of that one. "just fine"...isn't for some. I've never had a set of OEM shocks on any of my vehicles that I was happy with. Glad they are working out for your usage.

If you look they are US Made, most OE shocks are BRAZILIAN Made. Like I said the fronts were a SLIGHT improvement when changing to Bilsteins.

The shocks on my 11 DRW were completely shot and one was leaking at a very low mileage. Bilstein's were a HUGE improvement!

If Bilstein comes out with a rear shock I doubt I will change.

 

[AEdelheit]

Bilstien says they don't make a rear shock and they are not interchangeable. so unless these FOX shocks are not specific to the rear air ride I sure would not install.

Or you look and how the suspension functions and the shocks them selves and realize there is zero reason they can not be interchanged. I know of 40+ air assist trucks running shocks for the non air ride setup that work very well with no issues. The air assist setup on 3500s , not really air ride as it still has leafs, is not that special and does not change the laws of suspension geometry.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Guess Bilstien and Chrysler don't understand, oh well.

 

[AEdelheit]

Guess Bilstien and Chrysler don't understand, oh well.

Better not add air bags with factory or Bilstien shocks then either then !!!!!!!!! If you did a little research you would find those companies are very good about saying lots of things that dont work but wont give any rhyme or reason and the reality they do work and work well.

 

[AH64ID]

Since the auto-level springs are softer than the standard suspension there will need to be more rebound, and that’s likely why Bilstein says they won’t work. It’s going to be a different suspension than the standard leaves with airbags, so that’s not a good comparison.

 

[AEdelheit]

Since the auto-level springs are softer than the standard suspension there will need to be more rebound, and that’s likely why Bilstein says they won’t work. It’s going to be a different suspension than the standard leaves with airbags, so that’s not a good comparison.

Yes air ride trucks should have more rebound then the traditional leaf sprung trucks because the air bags ramp up pressure faster, if it was just softer leafs and no air bags you would want less rebound. Thats why I suggested Fox as they run heavier rebound then Bilstien or stock, heat is always an issue so you will only get so much rebound dampening our of a small diameter shock.

 

[Cummins12V98]

So does any shock maker "LIST" a replacement shock for the 3500 rear air ride application?

 

[NonFord]

So does any shock maker "LIST" a replacement shock for the 3500 rear air ride application?

My reasearch says NO. KYB, RANCHO, BILSTEIN,EIBACH,GABRIEL, ProComp AND MONROe all state w/o bags. Havent contacted FOX yet, but dont see why they would be the outlier and say go for it...

 

[Cummins12V98]

Thanks for confirming what I thought!

 

[NonFord]

Well, just to update folks. I changed them out and glad I did. I put on the Eibach Pro Trucks on and they did make a difference. Especially noticeable on rumbled, pot holed stretches, the ride is significantly improved. I think the fronts were toast as when I went to push down on them, there was almost no resistance whatsoever. Anyway, my concerns with the stock rear air system is no more. Glad I did it!

Another thing that persuaded me to move forward was I have added air bags on other vehicles and no where do I remember shock vendors say not to add bags with their shocks. There are tons of folks out there with bags and other than oem shocks too.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Please show us the fitment guide that shows the shocks you added were specifically for the factory rear air.

 

[EZeis]

Please show us the fitment guide that shows the shocks you added were specifically for the factory rear air.

I would bet the lengths are different. Air suspension trucks probably have more travel. Shocks/struts are normally the limiter. Could also be different valving in the shock. There is definitely a reason why factory auto leveling have different shocks.


Earl

 

[Cummins12V98]

I would bet the lengths are different. Air suspension trucks probably have more travel. Shocks/struts are normally the limiter. Could also be different valving in the shock. There is definitely a reason why factory auto leveling have different shocks.


Earl

YUP, still waiting on someone to show a aftermarket shock that is designed to be used with the factory rear air.

 

[NonFord]

I would bet the lengths are different. Air suspension trucks probably have more travel. Shocks/struts are normally the limiter. Could also be different valving in the shock. There is definitely a reason why factory auto leveling have different shocks.


Earl

The shocks I got were for a 0 - 2.5" lifts and similar in length. There was no guide that said THIS IS FOR FACTORY AIR, I just went with it and glad I did. Truck is much smoother and even had the bed loaded with the new shocks with the auto-level set. Awesome.

People have added air bags on all sorts of trucks that run rancho's, Bilstein's or whatever. Not once have I seen a disclaimer that said not to use with air bags. Just saying. I'm happy with the setup.

 

[AH64ID]

People have added air bags on all sorts of trucks that run rancho's, Bilstein's or whatever. Not once have I seen a disclaimer that said not to use with air bags. Just saying. I'm happy with the setup.

I think it has more to do with the spring rate of the springs with bags being different, and many of the current shocks do say not for use with the auto-level.

Hopefully they work out well for you. By the time I need replacements there should be more info out there. So far quite happy with the stock shocks n

 

[Cummins12V98]

"bed loaded with the new shocks with the auto-level set" FYI it's always on "auto level"

Now there is "Alt Trailer HT"

 

[AEdelheit]

I would bet the lengths are different. Air suspension trucks probably have more travel. Shocks/struts are normally the limiter. Could also be different valving in the shock. There is definitely a reason why factory auto leveling have different shocks.


Earl

Actually the opposite is true, air ride trucks have less travel but on the 3500's the leaf spring is the limiting factor in down travel, I have a good bit of time with the rear suspension on these and there are much better shocks out there then what comes on them from the factory.

 

[AEdelheit]

Well, just to update folks. I changed them out and glad I did. I put on the Eibach Pro Trucks on and they did make a difference. Especially noticeable on rumbled, pot holed stretches, the ride is significantly improved. I think the fronts were toast as when I went to push down on them, there was almost no resistance whatsoever. Anyway, my concerns with the stock rear air system is no more. Glad I did it!

Another thing that persuaded me to move forward was I have added air bags on other vehicles and no where do I remember shock vendors say not to add bags with their shocks. There are tons of folks out there with bags and other than oem shocks too.

The stock shocks do not have enough rebound for the air ride setup, glad you did a little thinking for yourself and upgraded to a much better ride!