2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Shock replacement

[kglenn]

Ok guys, I am in the market for new shocks for my 2000 4x4. It seems that the Bilsteins are the shock of choice, but is the difference that noticable in the ride compared to Monroe shocks for the price difference? Is there another shock conparable to the Bilstein for a lower budget? If they really make that much difference I'll pay the price, But I would like like to hear from people that have tried different kinds. Oh, my truck is stock, no lift. I appreciate all your help. Thanks in advance.

 

[JCyrbok]

Me 2

I'm in the same boat as Kgleen, only with my 01 2500 4x4. Stock ride height and tire size. Rarely tow or haul near capacity and only off roading is pretty tame while hunting.



Looking for improved ride. Truck currently has 65K.



Any suggestions, let me know make/model and if you like em and I can handle the rest.



Thanks in advance,



J-

 

[MKrukowski]

Well I just purchased some new Bilstien shocks from ajusa.com. I need them to. I couldn't feel the degredation of the stock shocks b/c I am the primary driver of the truck, and get used to any little change that may happen in the ride. Had someone in my truck that knows vehicles, and right away said that I needed shocks. I have a little over 108,000 miles on the origonal shocks. Like the first guy said. Haven't noticed any real ride issues. Truck bounces right back pretty much. Anyways. Just purchased the shocks on Monday and got them for $240. 01. That's cheaper than other sites I have been on. Both of you should take a look at the site. They are based out of California. I called to order them; but you can do it online to, and the staff was very helpful.

I will let you guys know how they feel when I get them in.



Mike

 

[JCyrbok]

Mike,



did you get the 5100 series or the yellow/blue stock ones from Bilstein?



Did u get them in your truck yet? How are they?



J-

 

[16919]

I got the 5100's from ajusa also. The ride quality is night and day difference. I have a 2 inch leveling kit as well.

 

[JCyrbok]

Can the 5100's be used on a truck with stock ride height or they just for lifted trucks? I have no lift and dont plan on adding any. Truck is high enough for the wife, LOL :-laf



J-

 

[kglenn]

MKrukowski, Thanks for the website info. They can save me nearly the cost of a tank of fuel compared to what I have been priced other places. I think I'll probly go ahead and get the Bilstiens. Thanks again.

 

[MKrukowski]

J,

Sorry it took so long to reply back, been awhile since I've been on the site. Anyways, I got the regular shocks in them, since I don't have my truck lifted and it looked like the 5100 series was for the lifted trucks. Anyways. Nice ride quality. No complaints here at all. Keeps the truck riding like it should. Like a truck. I would definately get another set it need be.



By the way kglenn, not a problem. Glad you were able to save some money.



Mike

 

[Fireman Dave]

I just installed 4 of the blue/yellows last Saturday. I'm pleased with them. I noticed a big improvement with body roll in turns.

 

[JPenka]

The 5100's are great shocks ive ran them many times. When i bought my last truck one of the rear shocks was broken. I couldnt wait to have them shipped, so I bought monroe reflexes an i love them they ride great and have held up very well. I dont remember the price but they were cheaper thats for sure.

 

[Katmandu]

I bought monroe reflexes an i love them they ride great and have held up very well. I dont remember the price but they were cheaper thats for sure.

About $50 each.

 

[MFalkinham]

MKrukowski, I also wanted to thank you for the ajusa website tip; you saved me big bucks. I ordered my shocks from them and with the discount it came to just $52. 67 per shock plus free shipping & handling. They should arrive today, so I'll get them installed this weekend. I'm looking forward to a less bouncy ride on my '98.

 

[fest3er]

Ok guys, I am in the market for new shocks for my 2000 4x4. It seems that the Bilsteins are the shock of choice, but is the difference that noticable in the ride compared to Monroe shocks for the price difference? Is there another shock conparable to the Bilstein for a lower budget? If they really make that much difference I'll pay the price, But I would like like to hear from people that have tried different kinds. Oh, my truck is stock, no lift. I appreciate all your help. Thanks in advance.

I'm still quite pleased with KYB's monotube Gas-a-Just shocks. At 140K miles, they're still just as good as the set I took off at 75K miles. Whilst the truck ones don't give a solid sports car-like ride, they are still much firmer than the run-of-the-mill aftermarket shocks and far, far better than OEM shocks. (I'd put them on my '87 Formula 350; they made that car absolutely fun to drive. They made my '84 200SX ride very firmly. And my brother recently put them on his Concorde and is amazed at how solid the car rides now. ) On all the vehicles I've used them, I've never worn out a set; 140K miles is my current longevity record.



KYB's cost $10-$20 more than Monroes, but it's worth it because they just don't seem to wear out or fail. This is partly due to the monotube construction.



KYB's product page:

KYB World Class Shocks and Struts | Products > Gas-a-Just Shocks



Monroe's shock description page; monotube is at the bottom:

Monroe Technical Support - What is a Shock Absorber?

(And don't believe Monroe when they say the shock helps support the vehicle. This might be true if the vehicle weighed only 1500#. Our trucks still fully depend on springs to suspend the vehicle. ) And yes, a dent in the main tube would cause failure, but all the KYB's have an outer shield protecting it; I would expect all monotube shocks to have this feature.



And don't go for the cheaper KYBs. The GR2s don't last; they're twin-tube design. I know. I put them on my F150 by mistake once.



N

 

[Katmandu]

I ordered my shocks from them and with the discount it came to just $52. 67 per shock plus free shipping & handling.

What discount ?????

 

[Katmandu]

(And don't believe Monroe when they say the shock helps support the vehicle. This might be true if the vehicle weighed only 1500#. Our trucks still fully depend on springs to suspend the vehicle. )

I just copied this off Monroe's website.

Let's start our discussion of shock absorbers with one of very important point: despite what many people think, conventional shock absorbers do not support vehicle weight.

Instead, the primary purpose of the shock absorber is to control spring and suspension movement. This is accomplished by turning the kinetic energy of suspension movement into thermal energy, or heat energy, to be dissipated through the hydraulic fluid.

 

[Katmandu]

What discount ?????

I found this Promo Code for AJ-USA it is ... ... 70228 . This gets you 10% OFF!

Are there other Promo Codes also ??

 

[MFalkinham]

I used Promo Code THANKYOU and got $20 off my order (over $200).

 

[fest3er]

I just copied this off Monroe's website.

Ah, but lower down, they state that the monotube shocks *do* support some of the vehicle's weight, due to the very high pressure nitrogen inside. This is somewhat misleading. They should have said that high-pressure monotube shocks might have the effect of raising *some* vehicles perceptibly, but the height increase is an artifact of the 300+ PSI of nitrogen inside. The shock absorber's job is solely to dampen vertical axle motion; the fact that some shock designs can raise the vehicle a slight amount is immaterial and can be ignored.



N

 

[dodgeboy01]

I just replaced my four shocks with bilstein 5100's. So far they seem great. Could definitely tell a difference in ride quality. I've got a four inch lift and the shocks that came with it were not good. The rears were blown out, front seemed OK though.

Getting ready to take the toy hauler on a trip so we'll see about ride quality while towing.

 

[mstephenson]

I have a horrible vibration in the front passenger side of the truck. It starts at about 40mph, smooths out, then picks back up at 70mph to un-nerve you. I'm wondering if I didn't break something in the Ranchos that are on there.

I put the 3500 springs on my 2500 truck. Does that mean I need to purchase the 3500 shocks?



Thanks