Rear Shocks 3500 with Air Suspension

[AH64ID]

Thanks, yes, have measured OEM's already and will measure KYB's before installation the same way.

What are the OE measurements?

 

[EZeis]

Found this online, not on KYB's site. They don't list shock 5550006 on their spec page. Definitely not the same lengths as the 3450014. Could be errors on either site. Who knows.

KYB Gas-a-Just 5550006
Compressed Length (In) - 19.37
Extended Length (In) - 25.82
Upper Mount Type - E2(14.6X42)
Lower Mount Type - E2(14.6X42)

Edit, here are the earlier specs I listed in this thread. Easier to compare than going back to the other post.

3450014 for air suspension 21.61 extended length, 12.75 compressed length and 8.86 stroke.
345062 for non air suspension 27.55 extended length, 16.5 compressed length and 11.05 stroke.

Earl

 

[AH64ID]

Found this online, not on KYB's site. They don't list shock 5550006 on their spec page. Definitely not the same lengths as the 3450014. Could be errors on either site. Who knows.

KYB Gas-a-Just 5550006
Compressed Length (In) - 19.37
Extended Length (In) - 25.82
Upper Mount Type - E2(14.6X42)
Lower Mount Type - E2(14.6X42)

Earl

I found that too. Curious how they compare.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My Son installed Fox all around on his 15 3500 with rear air. He hates the rear ride and will be re installing the OE shocks. Says it’s too harsh.

 

[EZeis]

My Son installed Fox all around on his 15 3500 with rear air. He hates the rear ride and will be re installing the OE shocks. Says it’s too harsh.

Yes, we know you and your entire family only prefer the OE shocks. That's a lot of money to waste. Not to mention Fox aren't applicable for air suspension per their website, catalog and tech support. Probably too much damping or it's correct damping making it ride like a leaf spring truck would. I'd rather have harsh than the pogo and the bounce/float when loaded.

Just harsh empty or loaded too?

Earl

 

[AEdelheit]

My Son installed Fox all around on his 15 3500 with rear air. He hates the rear ride and will be re installing the OE shocks. Says it’s too harsh.

Fox has many different part numbers , if he just picked a random part number without looking at the valving that's his own fault not Fox. I know for a fact Fox offers more rebound dampening on many of there 2.0 shocks then about any one else and that is critical for chassis stability and limiting the "pogo" effect so sounds like he bought the wrong ones.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"Yes, we know you and your entire family only prefer the OE shocks."

After that snipe you want me to answer your question?

Both.

He will be putting the rears on my old 98 12V he owns.

 

[Hawk375]

Found this online, not on KYB's site. They don't list shock 5550006 on their spec page. Definitely not the same lengths as the 3450014. Could be errors on either site. Who knows.

KYB Gas-a-Just 5550006
Compressed Length (In) - 19.37
Extended Length (In) - 25.82
Upper Mount Type - E2(14.6X42)
Lower Mount Type - E2(14.6X42)

Edit, here are the earlier specs I listed in this thread. Easier to compare than going back to the other post.

3450014 for air suspension 21.61 extended length, 12.75 compressed length and 8.86 stroke.
345062 for non air suspension 27.55 extended length, 16.5 compressed length and 11.05 stroke.

Earl

Measuring my stock shocks, these match up pretty closely at roughly 25.6" extended and 19.4" compressed

 

[Wiredawg]

I dont have air suspension, but do y'all think the OEM shocks are tuned/valved specifically for the factory supplemental air suspension?

I've read this thread from the beginning and it seems the aftermarket shock manufacturers aren't supporting this application and haven't read where anyone has found a suitable aftermarket replacement.

I know shocks are complex animals and there are folks happy to spend big $$ on high end ones.

Am I clear that folks dont want to pay high price for OEM replacements? How much are they? And/or the gallery wants a different ride? What firmer/softer?

As a bystander, it seems to me the Ram Air bag supplemental system is a package deal, that the components are designed to function as a "system."

Just curious, Ron

 

[AEdelheit]

I dont have air suspension, but do y'all think the OEM shocks are tuned/valved specifically for the factory supplemental air suspension?

I've read this thread from the beginning and it seems the aftermarket shock manufacturers aren't supporting this application and haven't read where anyone has found a suitable aftermarket replacement.

I know shocks are complex animals and there are folks happy to spend big $$ on high end ones.

Am I clear that folks dont want to pay high price for OEM replacements? How much are they? And/or the gallery wants a different ride? What firmer/softer?

As a bystander, it seems to me the Ram Air bag supplemental system is a package deal, that the components are designed to function as a "system."

Just curious, Ron

The OEM shocks are tuned to the air ride system as much as the cheapest possible shock can be, but they still leave alot to be improved on as do all OEM shocks. I deal with shocks every day and having a shock properly tuned for specific applications when no bean counters are involved makes for a much smoother and more controlled ride.

 

[Ozymandias]

Serious shocks can turn your Truck into a Volkswagen.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Serious shocks can turn your Truck into a Volkswagen.

That would be nice......at long as it doesn't turn the truck into a Subaru!

 

[dieselshadow]

Or a Volkswagen... My truck isn’t anything at all like a beetle.

 

[Cummins12V98]

The OE shocks are US Made unlike many.

 

[Blackbrush]

FWIW, I'm doing 1.75" lighter rate lift springs in the front, adding 2" spacers to the rear bags, re-arching the rear primary leaves behind the axle 2" and relocacting the rear suspension location sensors 2" - topped off with Rancho RS9000's that are 2" longer extended. The Rancho's aren't terribly durable long term but they allow for adjustments that I prefer and they have a lifetime warranty that is very liberal. I may have to change them every 50-75k but I'll have the ride I want. Down the road I might switch to aftermarket bags and longer rear shocks if I ever decide I need more extended travel in the rear.

 

[AH64ID]

FWIW, I'm doing 1.75" lighter rate lift springs in the front, adding 2" spacers to the rear bags, re-arching the rear primary leaves behind the axle 2" and relocacting the rear suspension location sensors 2" - topped off with Rancho RS9000's that are 2" longer extended. The Rancho's aren't terribly durable long term but they allow for adjustments that I prefer and they have a lifetime warranty that is very liberal. I may have to change them every 50-75k but I'll have the ride I want. Down the road I might switch to aftermarket bags and longer rear shocks if I ever decide I need more extended travel in the rear.

It sounds like you’re eliminating your ability to run ALT ride height. I’d be looking at ways to get a 2” lift and keep it, but I use that feature often.

The only thing I read in your statement about RS9000’s that I agree with is the word terrible. They are just that.

 

[Blackbrush]

The sensor will be relocated 2" so it knows no different. Not sure how I'd lose ALT.

I like the ability to add rebound dampening based on need. Virtually no other shocks give me that capability. Aside from durability, I have no issue with the 9000's. I've used them (other shocks as well) on 4 different trucks for quite a few miles - usually about 50k a year.

 

[AH64ID]

The sensor will be relocated 2" so it knows no different. Not sure how I'd lose ALT.

I like the ability to add rebound dampening based on need. Virtually no other shocks give me that capability. Aside from durability, I have no issue with the 9000's. I've used them (other shocks as well) on 4 different trucks for quite a few miles - usually about 50k a year.

By only reaching the primary springs and not the secondary’s you won’t ever get to sit on the secondary’s. Alt will still be selectable, but it won’t lower you enough. That’s the main benefit to ALT, get all that extra spring rate. To me that makes it not worth it.

Unless I’m reading your intentions differently than your intending.


My experience with multiple sets of Rancho’s was not anywhere near as positive. Multiple vehicle, applications, loads, plenty of miles and playing, etc. adjustability was useless and the shocks where junk. But if they work for you then that’s all that matters. Ditched them for Bilstein, and they are better 100% of the time.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Have I mentioned I am very happy with my rear air ride and I run mine in ALT 100% of the time???

 

[Blackbrush]

My desire has been to improve ride quality especially unloaded and lift the truck slightly while maintaining most of the loaded capacity. Short of a full Kelderman system, I think I'm on to the best compromise.