Smoothest riding shocks?

[EBottema]

Any truck with leaf springs is going to ride a little rough, just the nature of them. Tell your wife to deal with it. Hope she wont get too mad lol

 

[ECappleman]

Any truck with leaf springs is going to ride a little rough, just the nature of them.

Our 99' F250 4x4 Crew Cab didn'tand it had leaf springs front and back. 285/75/16 BFG AT and Rancho 9000s.

Looking for something to make the ride simular.

 

[EBottema]

Oh I know the 99+ Fords use the leafs front and rear. The front's ride nice b/c of heavy engine in front. Rear ride might be better b/c of different angle or maybe you did not have an overload from the factory. Basically put a 500 pounds in the back of your dodge and you will notice it rides better. Leaf springs tend to bounce when you don't have weight on them. Shocks are only going to help a little. You either need to look into airbags or getting your springs reworked by a shop by adding extra thinner leafs. However, I don't know what your looking for but if you expect the thing to ride like a mercedes, it won't, its a 3/4 ton truck.



hassellbeach- not to get off topic, but why are you selling your 05?

 

[ECappleman]

However, I don't know what your looking for but if you expect the thing to ride like a mercedes, it won't, its a 3/4 ton truck.

Now you tell me! :-laf

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

That'd be me.



If you run all highway miles, the IAS might work well for you, but based on my off-road experience with them, I wouldn't recommend them. I recall some serious bottoming out while off-road.



The Bilsteins are comfortable on the highway and will still handle all the field lanes I throw at them.



FWIW,



Lynn

The 5150 Bilstein shock in the DRC Race System is a great Hwy shock as well as providing 12 inches of travel in the rear for off road. I have hauled horse trailers, a Bobcat, and even a race truck with no issue. For hauling heavy and a balanced hwy ride you cant go wrong with the 5100. One thing to keep in mind that a shock works better with a higher volume of nitrogen and oil. That is why the 7100 series shocks perform with even heavier hauling. Some of our customers will put 3500 lb slide out campers in the bed with just the 7100's and a mini pack. For only street, go for the Bilstein 5100.



Enjoy,

Greg

 

[HeavyHauler]

So if you are keeping your vehicle on the highway then go with the Edelbrock IAS shocks but if you do any serious off-roading go with the Bilsteins?



My truck hasn't even been on a dirt road since I bought it so I may try the IAS shocks if they help with the ride.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

What I failed to say in my prior post was:

The Bilstein 5150 is an amazing over the hwy shock. It has speed sensitive valving unlike the 5100. The plushness I expierence with them is great. Very soft and smooth but can eat speed bumps like none other. It is like a true race shock, but within the same price range as a 5100. It has a piggyback resevoir and can be mounted up or down. I prefer mounting them with the shafts up to help protect them from the off road abuse.



Greg

 

[joemyers]

The Edelbrock IAS shocks are more than adequate, and the price is better. They do a super job keeping my loaded truck stable compared to the OEM shocks. JMTCW

 

[Tim]

That's your opinion and thats fine, but have you actually seen how hot a properly tuned shock for a full size truck gets just going down the freeway? I don't think you have Tim. The heat from stiff rebound will overheat a non reservoir shock quicker and the cost difference between a non rezzy and a rezzy is only about $35... You've learned what you've heard about shocks Tim but don't try and act like you know the in's and out's. Go race motocross for 10 years, learn the in's and out's of suspension performance, take apart a few dozen reservoir shocks, feel the difference, and report back. Tell me it's "overkill" then...

I agree, the additional oil will keep the shock from getting too hot and is a good selling point. You must be getting pretty wild with the valving if you can manage to overheat a set of shocks on the road, though.

 

[THUREN]

What I failed to say in my prior post was:

The Bilstein 5150 is an amazing over the hwy shock. It has speed sensitive valving unlike the 5100. The plushness I expierence with them is great. Very soft and smooth but can eat speed bumps like none other. It is like a true race shock, but within the same price range as a 5100. It has a piggyback resevoir and can be mounted up or down. I prefer mounting them with the shafts up to help protect them from the off road abuse.



Greg

The 5150's sound nice.



I haven't felt the ride of them yet but I'm assuming they put a good amount of rebound in them since they can cool better than the standard 5100's. With the added benefit of the reservoir right on the shock you don't have any reservoir hose flow restrictions for fast compression. . I'll have to try some one day soon...



Don

 

[THUREN]

I agree, the additional oil will keep the shock from getting too hot and is a good selling point. You must be getting pretty wild with the valving if you can manage to overheat a set of shocks on the road, though.

Yep... heavy trucks with VERY heavy spring rates require almost no compression valving and TONS of rebound. That's the perfect combo for a super hot shock. Even going down the freeway. Thick about the shock oil getting forced through a valve with such a high force that the valve is actually holding the truck from springing back. Those leafs are STIFF and hitting freeway expansion joints for an hour will really work out the shock with said valving...



Don

 

[THUREN]

The Edelbrock IAS shocks are more than adequate, and the price is better. They do a super job keeping my loaded truck stable compared to the OEM shocks. JMTCW

They are probably a pretty good shock for the price. I just don't think that they respond quick enough on compression..... I buddy of mine works for one of the original patent holders of that "special" valve in the Edelbrocks and I've seen the actual internals, ridden in trucks with prototype valving, and I am helping them give feedback on their "new" shocks coming out(not edelbrock but the original designer/patent holder)... . They are better than OE, but just another "ninewaysupercoolinternallyadjustablemyshockisbetterslogan" shock... I don't think they are much better than factory units but that's just me... .



Don

 

[Tim]

I understand what you're trying to do. That's the somewhat crappy part about leaf springs. They're stiff as hell on uptravel, but unload them and they're really soft. I think that's the nature of the best with ALL leaf springs, it's just worse with these heavy trucks.



I often wonder what my off road truck would be like with a decent set of shocks. One of these days I'm going to throw some cash at it and find out.



BTW you guys. You'd be shocked at how much just a change in the front suspenion can make. The rear does transmit into the cab area--but it's so far away, it makes FAR less difference than the front.



If I do anything to the Dodge, I'll level the front and install good shocks all the way around and leave the rear stock. It already has multi stage springs which the mini packs woulld help even more (KORE) but in my opinion, there's far more ride quality to be had in the front axle than rear.

 

[joemyers]

They are probably a pretty good shock for the price. I just don't think that they respond quick enough on compression..... I buddy of mine works for one of the original patent holders of that "special" valve in the Edelbrocks and I've seen the actual internals, ridden in trucks with prototype valving, and I am helping them give feedback on their "new" shocks coming out(not edelbrock but the original designer/patent holder)... . They are better than OE, but just another "ninewaysupercoolinternallyadjustablemyshockisbetterslogan" shock... I don't think they are much better than factory units but that's just me... .



Don

I don't claim to know any of the high tech info, but I do know from my own experience over the last three years and about 40K miles that they are a whole lot more shock than the OEM's, and if I ever wear them out a new set just like them will go on. JMTCW

 

[THUREN]

I don't claim to know any of the high tech info, but I do know from my own experience over the last three years and about 40K miles that they are a whole lot more shock than the OEM's, and if I ever wear them out a new set just like them will go on. JMTCW

Right on...



They are probably tuned a bit better for the dodge than the chevy I rode in and like I said, good shock for the price... The chevy 2500HD we tried em' on actually felt worse than factory. . :-laf



Don. .

 

[THUREN]

BTW you guys. You'd be shocked at how much just a change in the front suspenion can make. The rear does transmit into the cab area--but it's so far away, it makes FAR less difference than the front.

Tim, EVERY truck I've owned or ridden in has done fairly well in the front with the rear needing SERIOUS work. . Unless your truck has the engine in the back, or has a 25' wheelbase, I really don't understand.

 

[Dual EE]

Has anyone tried the RMX Monotube shocks at Les Schwab?

I did a search and did not find any info on them. They are the monotube design, have a lifetime warranty, and $59. 00 each. Any opinions on Les Schwab products? I have always had good success with their service and products. They also seem to be all over here on the west coast, (which would be important if warranty issues arise) and their items are always in stock. Most of the shocks mentioned in this thread are either not carried in stock by local venders and are a special order only for my truck.



http://www.lesschwab.com/shocks.html

 

[EBottema]

Dual-



Les Schwab shocks are manufactured by Gabriel shock company. Les Schwab puts their little sticker on them. Autozone sells the exact same shock with their sticker. Carquest has the same ones too. Autobone seems to have the lowest price on them and many locations. Make sure you get the 8800 lb. weight version. . My truck had the les schwab shocks on it when I got it and they did good until I tossed them for a lift kit and some bilsteins. My dad's truck has carquest version and they are nice quality at a great price.



hope it helps,

Erik

 

[ProspectorTim]

So if you are keeping your vehicle on the highway then go with the Edelbrock IAS shocks but if you do any serious off-roading go with the Bilsteins?

My truck hasn't even been on a dirt road since I bought it so I may try the IAS shocks if they help with the ride.

OK, so the topic is a year old now...
Did you get the IAS shocks. and if so, do you like them?

My truck is strictly on-road except to haul the camper and ATV's to remote campsites.

I'm trying to decide if I should go with the IAS, Bilstein 5100 (even though I have NO lift) or the Bilstein "oem replacement" 52550 H0/52549 H0.

I've had Rancho 9000's on it since Aug 2001, and they seem to be shot. Recently I've experienced pretty horrible bouncing on the left front a couple of times after hitting a rough spot in the road. All you can do is hang on, steer and use the e-brake to slow it down until it quits bouncing. #ad


We are selling the camper (I hope!), so I won't really need the adjustability of the Rancho's anymore. I'm looking for a good ride & good handling on the HIGHWAY, and *hoping* that some good shocks will also help with the STOOPID rear-wheel ABS that disengages my brakes everytime I hit a bump while trying to stop or slow down #ad
.

I can't afford a new truck right now, or extremely expensive options like KORE or Kelderman. I've got to work with what I've got.

FWIW, the shocks are just a part of my attack on these problems. I'll be installing the Energy Suspension urethane sway-bar bushings & end links and their urethane drag-link bushing in the next couple of days. I'm also going to rebuild/re-shim the Luke's link on the drag link.

The next step after the new shocks, will be new tires. The BFG AT/KO's are kind of short on tread, and riding hard too. Since I'm selling the camper & atvs and expect to be almost 100% street use now, I'll probably look at more streetable all-season tires this time.

Opinions? Recommendations?

Please, no flame-wars! Just the facts. #ad

 

[HeavyHauler]

Tim - I still haven't worked the shocks into the budget. I'd still like to try the Edelbrocks, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.