Shocks ? Which Ones And Part #'s

[seafish]

Thanks for the info, Matt--Do you think that the part#'s you listed will fit a truck WITHOUT the rear blocks removed?? Actually, while I remember reading in one of the TDR mags about the rear block removal, I forget why people do it?? Does the leveling give an improvement in ride, or is it only for looks?? Happy New Year!!

 

[Matt400]

Yes, those numbers are for a stock truck. I pulled the blocks because the truck had a stink bug look and I didn't want to raise the front.

Happy New year!!

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

Recalls

Did you go on the Dodge site under recalls?

 

[seafish]

Matt, I reread this entire post, but I am wondering if you can go into more detail as to what you liked about the Ranchos (they now make an in cab air controller for them!!), and what you like about the Bilstein 4600's which you put on your truck. Mine is a general use, work truck--it is either unloaded , partially loaded, or pulling a tandem trailer with up to 8000 lbs. , so I DO need a multi use shock. IF the Ranchos are a really good shock (like I said I DO like the idea of their thicker diameter tubes) and I can adjust them for different load conditions, then I would seriously consideer them, but some people think that they are crap*y in terms of handling and build. I KNOW that you have done alot of research in deciding what to put on your truck, soooooo... ..... ??

 

[Regcabguy]

well had the tsb 22-005-06 done at the dealer - had no problem with them because of the lift and the size ot the tires - the only thing that didn't get done was the front end wasn't line up - they said because of the small lift and bigger tires that there was somekind of special setup to have the front end lined up and they didn;t have the formula ? sounds bs to me >>>> town fair tire and the monky's over there seem to get ti done right and always seems fine when i drive it afterwards - ANY SUGGESTIONS ?

You need a Thuren adjustable trackbar. It will re-center your axle.

 

[Regcabguy]

I can tell you that the silver/black E5-6681 and E5-6647 shocks from Genos were a huge disappointment. After all the raving about how great Bilsteins are, I notice little difference from the stock shocks they replaced. Not the smartest $320 spent.



The best shocks I have had to date were Rancho 9000 (on a different truck). Imo they were the best because they could be adjusted to suit my taste rather than having to settle for what a shock engineer thinks is the best compromise for a broad range of vehicle configurations and driving styles.

Your statement about the Bilstein's being similiar to the stocks is hard to swallow. The Bilsteins are quite hard to compress,while my high school accordian afforded more resistance to compression than the stockers. I had Rancho 9000's on my '99 for a time. I had to junk them as I could feel every one of our famous expansion joints here in Ca. Offroad they were a disaster. They did afford excellent sway control with my camper,at the expense of a terrible ride. Trying to converse on the freeway with my passenger was like speaking "warble-speak". I'm real pleased with my Lorenz SAW 2. 25's,but would like to upgrade to King 2. 5's someday. Different applications call for different products and this topic is subjective. Whatever works for you is the best.

 

[brods]

Your statement about the Bilstein's being similiar to the stocks is hard to swallow. The Bilsteins are quite hard to compress,while my high school accordian afforded more resistance to compression than the stockers. ... ... .

Well you are free to believe whatever you want. I assume my stock shocks were probably still in good shape. I further assume I expected too much out of the Bilsteins because of all the raving how great they were. I bought them to help better control the heavier 285/75 tires. In general and on the pot holed washboard dirt roads around here I've felt no noticeable improvement. The only real noticeable difference with the Bilsteins is when hitting a certain raised RR crossing at speed. So maybe if I did more high speed violent driving they'd shine?



It is definitely asking a lot of a shock to perform well when the truck is empty or loaded. That is why the next set of shocks on my truck will be adjustable.

Different applications call for different products and this topic is subjective. Whatever works for you is the best.

Says it best. For me the Bilsteins were a waste of money.

 

[Matt400]

I was interested in the idea of the larger Rancho tube but wanted a shock that didn't require driver input. Crawling under there was not for me nor the expense & added complexity of in cab controls, just seems like a waste of money for my needs.



I spoke to Bilstein reps both on the phone and at the 08 SEMA show in Vegas asking specific questions about the difference between the 4600 and 5100. We discussed my use & application- stock truck, unloaded or 2000 lbs in the bed towing, 285 tires on 17" wheels.

5100's will fit on a none lifted Dodge however the valving in the 4600's are valved specifically for the application, both loaded and unloaded where the 5100's are a more universal shock designed for mild lifts such as 2" leveling kits, they just happen to work also on non lifted trucks.

Nothing wrong with the 5100's just not the proper choice for my use which was confirmed by the folks manufacturing & selling both lines.



To sum it up-

5100,s are longer for lifted applications, universally valved for spirited off-road use on trucks that see little work duty (weight in the bed) and to control the additional weight of larger tires & wheels such as 35's running on 20's.



4600's are for non lifted applications specifically valved for the Dodge in both unloaded and loaded daily on road driving. Off road they function well in non spirited driving. 1 or 2 sizes larger on the tires is a none issue.



Either one works well, while one has the ability to out shine the other when it is being used as intended.



Did you see what brods wrote:

having to settle for what a shock engineer thinks is the best compromise for a broad range of vehicle configurations and driving styles

and he is right, thats the way a 5100 is valved, only a bad thing when operated out its intended window otherwise it gets good reviews.

 

[Regcabguy]

To further illustrate the inadequacy of the stock suspension including shocks of my '07 2500 4wd, I loaded my 2000# popup on it which is hundreds of #'s lower than the max payload. Immediately upon driving on surface streets,I bottomed the suspension out at maybe 15 mph upon hitting a rain culvert laying crosswise on our street! Freeway travel was a super joke. The truck swayed all over the road. The odd thing was that unladen w/stock suspension the ride was very rough and indeed amplified our freeway joints. I would have thought that adding the weight would have neutralized the suspension. Well,it didn't work out that way. For my application,my present Lorenz suspension w/ Carli airbags works well. As mentioned in my prior post,King 2. 5's and a whole different setup is my future. It just takes money,and lots of it.

 

[seafish]

Matt, as always, a very concise and informative reply!! While I don't need shocks quite yet (my truck at 48,000 miles is still handling well, particularly with the 08 steering upgrade and Defiant steering stablizer I just put in), I am trying to gather info for the time coming soon when I know I will need them. I AM going to look into the Ranchos more--there new controller is wireless, with all lines and wires mounting to a control unit under the hood, not in the cab. STILL, it is a complex system and as such will be more prone to breakdown. As you describe them,it sounds as if the 4600's would work very well for me, just wish they were available in silver and black, which would match the rest of my truck! :-laf

Regcabguy, what do you now about the Rancho9000xl's??

 

[Matt400]

While I don't need shocks quite yet (my truck at 48,000 miles is still handling well

You would be surprised, mine was at 42000, none were leaking, I just wanted to improve on the ride.

 

[seafish]

So Matt, how much of a ride improvement are the Bilstein 4600's for you?? Could you rate both the oem shocks and the Bilsteins on a subjective scale of 1 - 10??

Also wondering if anyone is using the Edelbrock IAS while towing??

 

[Matt400]

All I can say is the ride has a very noticeable difference, enough to justify the expense for me.

 

[seafish]

All I can say is the ride has a very noticeable difference, enough to justify the expense for me.

Well can you tell me how they ride on highway versus gravel versus poorly maintained county roads??:-laf:-laf

 

[WoodChuck]

I was interested in the idea of the larger Rancho tube but wanted a shock that didn't require driver input. Crawling under there was not for me nor the expense & added complexity of in cab controls,

Rancho has a new wireless remote control for in cab on the fly adjustment, though I don't know what the cost is.

 

[seafish]

Rancho has a new wireless remote control for in cab on the fly adjustment, though I don't know what the cost is.

YUP... they also now offer a 90 day ride satisfaction, money back guarantee for that 9000xl wireless system (of course, that doesn't include time and labor to install). I AM interested, I just want the parts quality to be high and long lasting and I keep hearing love/hate stories about Rancho Shocks. What to do, what to do??

ooops... the 90 day guarantee DOES cover labor up to $50. 00 per axle for the Rancho 9000xl series. Heres a link to the guarntee--
Rancho 90-Day Free Ride Offer

 

[ENafziger]

I went with the Bilstein 9100s, and WOW!!!!!!!!!!! what a difference! I would highly recommend these as a shock that will take anything you can throw at them... literally!

--Eric

 

[Matt400]

Well can you tell me how they ride on highway versus gravel versus poorly maintained county roads??:-laf:-laf

What I have seen so far-

Some big dips (bad sections of State highway) at speed (50+) I was hitting the bump stops in the front as I would get a violent jar type of hit but not any longer now, that same dip at speed is still a whoop in the road feel but its more of a bump than a "what the heck was that" kind of hit.



Poorly maintained county roads, patchy sections of ice/snow covered county roads where people packed it yet sections are melted to the pavement and you are at 5-10 mph the ride over that stuff its smoother than before.

A particular shopping center I turn into where I can't hit the entrance dip straight on would cause the truck to do an abrupt side to side whip that would make your head bobble left & back right where now its much more smooth. Hope that helps



I havent had it off road, do very little to non of that.

 

[seafish]

Matt, that is valuable information... it sounds like the Bilstein HD (4600) is a good shock for a work truck driven mostly on roads and highways which IS what my truck does. I would buy them in a second, but for their color (so sorry... my ENTIRE truck is either white, black or silver). I am going to check with Carli about maybe getting some 5100's valved like the 4600's or continue looking into other alternatives. Or maybe I'll paint some of the 4600s. Tha Ranchos , despite the advantage of their larger diameter and adjustability, just don't deem to have a solid reputation for longevity and quality of build. MAYBE the new 9000xl's are different... I will wait and see a little. The edelbrocks IAS seem like a very good and well-liked shock, but maybe a little soft for a work truck. SOOOOOO... . like many of my projects, it's a gather info and ease into it sort of a thing. Like I mentioned, I am not in a huge rush, cuz my truck sems to handle fine right now... it is FUN to drive and doesn't gives me any handling surprises. In fact, with the 08 steering upgrade and Defiant steering stabilizer, and the MIchelin LTX/AT2, it handles SUPERBLY right now. Throw in a little extra HP, and its a GAS (er diesel??) to drive!!!! Anyway, thanks for the tips... One last question... do you have a phone # for the Bilstein Tech Support line??





ENafziger... Those 9100's are a REALLY nice shock, and they DO come with one free revalve from Bilstein. Probably overkill for me , BUT I am wondering--



How do you MOSTLY use your truck?? On road or off road, loaded or unloaded, towing or not??

Are they hard or soft riding, smooth or jarring on pavement and poorly maintained pavement??

Did you have them custom valved??

Bout how much did they set you back??





TIA!!!!!

 

[Matt400]

One last question... do you have a phone # for the Bilstein Tech Support line??

1-858-386-5900



I have some experience with wireless (not shocks) but with airbags. I installed PacBrake bags with wireless in cab remote control, its an awesome set up but a funny thing about all that is later finding it was overkill for my needs so its all packaged up for someone who could use it, my loss will be their gain after working out the custom install.