2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Shocks wear out quickly

[jnlncn59]

My 2001 is 1 1/2 yrs old and I have gone through 3 sets of shock absorbers, oem, Ranchos, Monroe Gas Magnums. I have just ordered a set of Bilstiens, and will install them this week. I have a slide in camper on the truck permanently (my home). I know from this forum that several of you have similar set ups. I would appreciate hearing from others having similar problems and any suggestions/solutions. Thanks.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have 70K on my Bilsteins on my 3500. More empty than not although I try to keep my 100 gallion tractor fuel tank filled for ballast. I had asked if anyone had worn out a set of Bilsteins but received no direct answer. Wether they perform same as new is quite subjective. Sometime I think so, sometimes not quite. I think my springs have lost ground over the miles.



I would think rear airbags would benefit your application.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by AK John



I have just ordered a set of Bilsteins, and will install them this week.

They are the best quality shock on the market (JMHO). Good luck



PS mine do a great job when I get carried away at the pet food store and load up 2 - 50lb bags of dog food, instead of one

 

[redram]

115,000 on my Bilsteins. Probably about time to check the fronts.



Have a set of Gas magnums that have only 5000 miles on them that were no better than the OE shocks which were trash after 15K.



You'll like the Bilsteins. They eliminated the bouncing of the front end.

 

[SMorneau]

Four Rancho 9000s have been on my 96 4x4 for about 190k and if they are not working I don't know it. The factory ones were gone in 40k.



One thing that may help your shock live a little longer is an airbag setup. I installed Firestone ride-rites on my truck shortly after the Ranchos were installed and there is no doubt they reduce the work done by the shocks and the camper handles 100% better. There is no comparison between the airbags and the factory overloads spring setup. None! Period! I cut off the factory overloads to install the airbags and it is weight I will never miss.

 

[SnoKing]

So, if your Rancho's failed, why did you not have them replace them under the life time warranty???????????? SNOKING

 

[jnlncn59]

rancho guarantee

Most all of the shocks on the market are liftime guarantee, what good is a guarantee if you have to replace them every couple of months? I have the Firestone air bags from my 92 RAM Cummins, and may put them on with the Bilstiens, I am still concerned about the front shocks going also. I have checked with a spring shop and they say the oem springs are the heaviest they have to offer, but I am persuing heavier frot springs also. Thanks for your help.

 

[SnoKing]

AK John, air bags and shocks address two different issues. Weight and ride/sway. I would still "give" Rancho a chance to provide you new shocks. How big is your camper and is your truck a 2500 or 3500. 2500 are over GVWR with large campers! SNOKING

 

[SMorneau]

I didn't mean to suggest the air bags were dampers. But they will firm up your ride and reduce the travel of the shocks thus reducing the work they do and this should extend their service life.



I am wondering which Ranchos you have? And how are you determining they are bad?

 

[jnlncn59]

I have been away from here as I am travelling, now in Wash DC area. I have a 3500 dually and had rancho 9500's on before the Monroes. I am going to have Heitmans spring shop in Houston Tx put a couple heavier leafs in the rear and try to get a stiffer coil spring putin the front. I can see from the replies, so far, that I am not doing anything different than anyone else and so I may goback to the Firestone riderite's I had on my 92, though I did not care for them, but... they may feel a lot different on the 2001. Thanks for all your help.

 

[jnlncn59]

First I think they are bad because I have replaced them twice allready. When I first put the shocks on the ride is great, but after 6-8 wks I am going down the road like a pogo stick... boing... . boing... boing. When I take the shocks off it takes very little effort to move them in and out in my hands. At last weigh in my front axle was 40 lbs over the 4500 GFAWR and my rear axle was 400 lbs under the 7000 GRAWR for the truck. My truck sits level and is barely touching the overload springs. I am surprised that there aren't more people experiencing this problem as there appears to be a number of members with similar setups. It seams like a lot of people are interested in this topic by the number of hits it gets, but I seem to be the only one experiencing this problem... curious. thanks again.

 

[jnlncn59]

Bilstien Shocks

This a folow up on the shocks. I have had the Bilstien shocks on my truck for 4 months, abt 16K miles and they are still performing the same, excellent, as the day I put them on. This is so far longer than the oem, the Rancho or the Monroes. Will keep you posted.

 

[CORed]

Which Bilstein model?

Do you remember / know which Bilstein model you put on the front of your truck?



My OEMs needed replacing a few thousand miles ago (only 23K on the truck now) and I'd rather do this right than twice.



Thanks!

 

[wyosteve]

Put 4 Rancho 9000's on mine around 22k. Fronts have been shot for a while. Now at 88k the rears are still good. Replaced the fronts with Bilsteins last weekend. A world of difference.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Re: Which Bilstein model?

Originally posted by CORed

Do you remember / know which Bilstein model you put on the front of your truck?



My OEMs needed replacing a few thousand miles ago (only 23K on the truck now) and I'd rather do this right than twice.



Thanks!

Part numbers are



BE5-2549

BE5-2550





TDR group purchase through off road warehouse