rears shocks

[Dick R]

need some advice , I can not seem to find a good shock for the rear of my 98 2500 , I use it mainly for pulling a light 5th wheel ( not much pin weight ) everything i have installed are way too stiff I have had two different monroe ( monroe matics and sensa track ) shocks and now a new set of gabriel shocks that were advertised make it ride like a car ( never happen )and they are way to stiff , Im looking for something that has good rebound control and yet is softer than what i have installed ?

 

[HBarlow]

need some advice , I can not seem to find a good shock for the rear of my 98 2500 , I use it mainly for pulling a light 5th wheel ( not much pin weight ) everything i have installed are way too stiff I have had two different monroe ( monroe matics and sensa track ) shocks and now a new set of gabriel shocks that were advertised make it ride like a car ( never happen )and they are way to stiff , Im looking for something that has good rebound control and yet is softer than what i have installed ?

Bilsteins from Genos. They will provide good damping and last forever.

 

[mwilson]

Another alternative is to purchase the same OEM shocks that it came with.



That's when it rode and behaved the best, right?? If you have had it since new anyways.



My '06 rides like a pleasure car, has since new. I will put the same shocks right back on it when they are due. At 115,000 miles I have noticed the rear is starting to bounce a little when towing the camper. Almost time to do it.



Just like the brake pads, still original and will make 125,000 easily. Why would I buy anything else????



I personally have never had good results with aftermarket shocks on anything. The OEM shock is designed for the suspension and gives the best ride.



My '97 has aftermarket shocks and it rides terrible.



Again, just my opinion and experiences.



Mike.

 

[TLane]

It might not be your shocks, but your springs. I had a '93 Ford that when connected to my bumper-pull travel trailer it would lower the truck just enough that the truck just contacted the overload springs. It made it very rough. I took the overload springs out and put a steel block where the overload was in the spring pack (just above the axle). This removed the overload so that it wouldn't make the ride harsh but left the same spacing between the springs and axle.

I'd suggest you take a good look at the springs and overloads see where they land as you raise the jacks on your fifth wheel after hooking up. You may wish to consult a good suspension shop about the springs, as removing the overloads may leave you unsafe with heavy loads.

Removing one or more leaves from the springs and adding air bags is also a common way to get a better ride but still maintain the carrying capacity. There are probably as many opinions about that as there are members on this site! I was all geared up to do that when I bought my current Dodge, but I found it rode so well with my current trailer that I don't need it.

 

[Newt]

Another alternative is to purchase the same OEM shocks that it came with.



That's when it rode and behaved the best, right?? If you have had it since new anyways.



My '06 rides like a pleasure car, has since new. I will put the same shocks right back on it when they are due. At 115,000 miles I have noticed the rear is starting to bounce a little when towing the camper. Almost time to do it.



Just like the brake pads, still original and will make 125,000 easily. Why would I buy anything else????



I personally have never had good results with aftermarket shocks on anything. The OEM shock is designed for the suspension and gives the best ride.



My '97 has aftermarket shocks and it rides terrible.



Again, just my opinion and experiences.



Mike.

At 115,000 miles, you're way overdue. New Bilsteins made a big difference both with and without the trailer on my 09 with only 30,000 miles. Wife thought I'd bought a new truck.



Newt

 

[ed9824v]

I have bilsteins that work fine, took the rear end out of an extra truck we have and they had Rancho 9000 that are adjustable shock with a little knob. but did not drive the truck with them;

 

[crispyboy]

Just out of curiosity who manufactures the OEM shocks?

 

[HBarlow]

I have no idea but they are always worn out and useless before 60k miles. The Bilsteins installed on my '01 at around 65k are at 350k now and still workng fine.

 

[mwilson]

I cured the terrible ride of the '97 yesterday...

Went to Lowes to get materials for the grandson's swingset and bought 14 cement blocks while I was there...



Caged them in the body right over the rear axle.

Problem solved!!:-laf



Rode much better this morning on the way to work.



Mike.

 

[HBarlow]

Mike,

That's what everyone in New England does every winter isn't it?

 

[mwilson]

Mike,



That's what everyone in New England does every winter isn't it?

Absolutely, it is just unusual to have to weight one down in the Summer... . :-laf



Truthfully, the four CTD's that I have run the 125 mile a day commute with over the years have not needed any weight for traction, the Cummins hanging over the front axle gives unreal traction and handling when placed in 4WD. Steady as a rock.



In 2WD they won't crawl over a small dollop of horse manure without spinning.



Only thing that I have found these trucks simply hate is mud, couple of spins of a tire and they drop to the housings like right now. :{



Mike.

 

[Wertles]

Also sand on the beach. Don't ask how I know that one.

 

[Dick R]

thanks everyone , I did do some checking of the rear springs and what I see is that they have been sprung way to many time and are riding real close to the over loads so the repair looks to be new rear spring I don't haul to may heavy things so maybe a lighter set of spring may be in order I did see an ade for easy ride springs for the the 2500 maybe they would work out , any feedback on these springs ?

 

[Road Dog]

I like the overload setup on my 1T. Empty, it has a kind-of soft ride and with my camper it sits nicely on the overloads. I installed the usual Bilsteins which improved the ride over stock. Several of my friends use air bags to balance out the empty/full issue.