2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Ride comparison, KORE HD leveling kit or D25 with bilstein 5100 shocks?

[GOT-Torque]

Would there be a ride difference between the two springs? I'm thinking of installing the KORE HD leveling kit which comes with bilstein 5100 shocks or using the skyjacker D25 coils with bilstein 5100 shocks.



For that matter, how would the ride be different from stock springs with a 2" poly spacer and bilstein shocks?



Anyone tried any of these and care to comment on ride quality?



I'm in the process of converting my steering setup to the inverted "T" setup with all new parts. When I do decide on a leveling kit, I will probably also install the DT adjustable track bar and different control arms to move the axle forward to allow for some 35" tires. Looking for the best ride quality setup out there (considering it is a 3/4 ton truck).



If it really doesn't make that much of a difference, maybe I'll just put spacers on the stock springs and save some money.



Thanks!

 

[GOT-Torque]

Anyone????

 

[San Felipe Bob]

It's all in the spring rate.

You'll need to compare the spring rates of the different springs.

KORE products are Great!

Skyjacker has been around a long time.

I had a spring shop build custom rear leaves to eliminate the rear blocks.

This is the best way to get a nice ride in the rear.



Speaking of ride.....

Ride preferences are very subjective.

My buddy has a Kore set up.

It's awsome!!!!!!!!!!

It's also stiffer than my set up.

He uses his truck offroad at a much higher rate of speed than I do.

His KORE system would be too stiff for my type of offroad driving.

That's not to say KORE can't build you a system to suit your preferences.

I'm saying Ride preference is very subjective.



You'll need to go for a ride with a truck equipped with what you are looking for.



I built a very custom system using off the shelf parts from variuos manufacturers.

I took a long time to put together.

My system is built to have a soft ride on washboard roads at slower speeds.

The front springs have not held up all to well.

Springs will eventually sag. Mine went south after 2 years. (This is normal under the type of use. )

Some offroad race trucks replace springs after every race.....

My wonderfull ride has stiffened up due to the front springs being worn out.

(normal)



It's time for a fresh set.



5100's are good shocks

7100's are better

I use specially valved 7100's on the rear.

On the front I use 5100's and the 7100's are used for fine tuning.



My best advise is to go for test rides...



SFB

 

[Swamp Donkey]

You might want to look into a different trac bar. I am not thrilled with mine.

 

[THUREN]

Whatever you do I wouldn't go with the D25's... .



As mentioned, a light spring rate is key. If ALL you are going for is a soft ride, spacers may be for you since you can keep the soft OE springs. .



Don't pass on the Bilsteins though, they are great for the price...



-Don

 

[GOT-Torque]

How do the spring rates compare between stock, D25's, and the KORE HD leveling springs?



Also, are the bilstein shocks in the KORE leveling kit that same off the shelf bilsein shocks (for 2 inches of lift) I can buy elsewhere?



Swamp Donkey - what was the problem with your track bar?

 

[JHansen]

I bet Swampy's problem is the same as mine-the combination of the truck's work application (operating in the oilfield), road conditions (nonexistent at times-literally pounding across farmer's fields), weather conditions (snow/mud etc. ) and the front end weight of the CTD wreaks havoc with the Heim joint at the frame. Can't count how many times I have changed mine out-looking at it yesterday and it is pounded again. I feel kinda guilty as I'm pretty sure I was the guy who talked him into getting it IIRC... .



At the time I bought mine it was pretty much the only game in town for an adjustable track bar. In a more civilized application I still think it's a fine choice-I had no complaints with DT's customer service or the fabrication quality of the bar itself. Now there's quite a few other choices out there-I will be replacing mine with a Solid Steel 3rd gen conversion mount and their adjustable bar-no more Heim joints to deal with-just bushings.



I would really like to try a truck with the KORE or Lorenz suspension system-I have the D25 levelling coils on mine (again an old-school fix-they have been on the truck now for better than 4 years IIRC and were acquired used through here way back when) with crappy old Mopar shocks that are pounded. I am hesitant about dropping big money on the rebuildable shocks as I am uncertain how they will live through a Canadian winter with the thrashing that my truck gets on a regular basis.



Jason

 

[dflesher65]

Ride comparisons

I was wondering, what is wrong with the D25's? ORW has a set for TDR members for $160. 00. I was thinking of piecing a leveling package for my truck and the D25 are a good price for what others are going for. My 2nd choice would be the Lorenz Industries springs.





http://www.offroadwarehouse.com/Store_ViewProducts. asp!Cat!620

 

[THUREN]

D25's...

When looking at coil springs, you(most people anyway including me) want soft high quality springs... The easiest way to tell a "good" spring is to see how close the windings are. If you can fit your fist through the coils, ehhhhh, not so good...



You wan't thick wire but closely spaced, as that is usually an idication of a soft rate... .



D25's are not closely spaced so the rate is high, and this space makes the springs highly stressed under compression...



I don't know for sure, but I'd imagine D25's would sag an inch or two in the first few months, from a spring design aspect...



-Don

 

[JHansen]

I can't say about initial sag-as mine came to me used although only briefly by the previous owner. In 4 or so years of thrashing I don't think they have settled at all. Maybe Skyjacker prestresses them? I dunno..... my opinion + $. 50 won't buy you coffee uptown... .



Jason

 

[JLabossiere]

I had the rancho shock on before and I was a little disappointed with the results. They did stiffen the ride some but going through wash board was no different then the stock shocks, also I started to get clunking on the frount passenger side shen running over rough stuff, drove me nuts. Don't know how the bilstens would work though, never have tryed them yet.

Jason, see Kevin at High Rollerz Truxz. He'll let you take his truck out for a ride or hook you up with someone who has kore suspension.

 

[JLabossiere]

I guess I should finish what I was going to say, long night at work here and got side tracked. I got the Kore system and like it alot, the D25's I have no idea, sorry not much help there. A lot of the trucks here run with the leveling spacer on their truck's and most of them say it's just for looks, still the same ride... kind of whimpy.

 

[JHansen]

Should have mentioned that I ran the RS9000 Rancho shocks at one time as well. They were OK until the 1st stint of -30C weather at which time 3 of the 4 puked their shaft seals..... I lost the receipt so I just pulled them off and pitched them in the dumpster-chocked it up to another life lesson and replaced them with the Mopar replacement ones-cheapest and easiest at the time to get. That was quite a few moons ago and the Mopar ones have long since been worn out and I have been too lazy/preoccupied to change them out..... time to suck it up I guess. I have a few other steering-related issues that need resolving 1st though-should have started on all this stuff a couple months ago to get it done before winter's onset.



Thanks for the tip-where is High Rollerz located at? I'll have to make a stop in there on days-off and check it out.



Jason

 

[JLabossiere]

High Rollerz Trux inc is in Calgary, can't remember the address but it was easy to find. On the Borlow trail to 114 S. E, west down the hill to the bottom and it on the right hand side in behind a safety training outfit. Share's space with Big Dog performance. Phone number is 1 800 898-8789 or his web page is http://highrollerztrux.com Great guy's to deal with too.

Or if you're near Drunken Valley I'll let you try my truck out.

JL

 

[JHansen]

Man, I betcha I haven't been to Drayton in 10 years-in fact I know it is closer to 14. I'm a flatlander-about 1/2 way between Drum and Hanna. Had a buddy who was living 1/2 way between DV and Breton that I went to visit-he is back there again now and apparently has been for quite a few years now but I kinda lost touch with him.



I'll check it out next time I am in Calgary-I may make it there next set of days off if I don't have too much wrench-twisting to do on the old girl.



Thanks again

Jason