When to replace stock shocks...

[OggyOggy]

69,500 miles on original stock shocks on my 2012 Ram 2500 4x4. I don't see any leakage but I'm guessing it's time to replace them simply due to mileage. Time to replace?

Looking at Bilstein 5100's.

Yes... No...?

Never off road.
Tow a 5er about 25% of the miles.

 

[Ozymandias]

If the ride isn't bouncy then leave them alone.
Today's shocks last way longer then in the past.

 

[Cummins12V98]

69,500 miles on original stock shocks on my 2012 Ram 2500 4x4. I don't see any leakage but I'm guessing it's time to replace them simply due to mileage. Time to replace?

Looking at Bilstein 5100's.

Yes... No...?

Never off road.
Tow a 5er about 25% of the miles.

They are sHOT!!! Bilstein 5100's are the same as the 4600's. Difference is the 5100's are for stock to 2" lift and the 4600's are stock height. Now both are fine for stock so pick the best price and or color you like. 5100's are black and silver, 4600's are powder blue and yellow.

 

[Cummins12V98]

If the ride isn't bouncy then leave them alone.
Today's shocks last way longer then in the past.

The 13 and newer shocks are MUCH better at least the ones on my 15 are Nitrogen US Made. I did see improvement on the front with Bilstein's but they do not make a shock for the factory rear air ride trucks.

The 11 and 12 shocks were JUNK when my Dad and I replaced ours. One of mine was leaking.

 

[kthaxton]

Bilstein 5100's are the same as the 4600's.

Except they're not. They are valved stiffer, for more unsprung weight.

 

[mfurrh55]

Except they're not. They are valved stiffer, for more unsprung weight.

Ive got 190,000 on mine and they are still good

 

[Regcabguy]

Mine came off the 1st week. They were nitrogen charged back in '07 also.
I'd consider Thuren's Overland's over the Bilsteins. The Bilstein's are stiff.
https://www.thurenfabrication.com/p...mponents/shocks/overland-front-1994-2013.html

 

[Axel]

For my 2016 the 5100 said minimum 2 inch lift in front, so I went with Eibach shocks instead.
American made and black with red lettering .....love them so far....

 

[OggyOggy]

I looked at the Overlands and found nothing but stellar comments and reviews. So, I took the plunge and ordered 4. If they don't work out I'll have to hunt Regcabguy down.

 

[GCroyle]

Trying to judge if your shocks are worn is like saying, I ain't aged a bit and then look at you're high school yearbook.

All technical aspects aside, I do have a shocking story and recent was it.

In 2006 I put a set of Rancho adjustables on the 2005 cause the stock shocks were shocking me, IIRC.

Fast forward slowly to maybe early Sept. 2018 Huuum, I'm porpoising. Maybe the 12 yr old Ranchos are puked!

Let's see what's in the auto receipt filing drawer, could it be!!!!! the original receipt!!!!!!

Quick web check, yup even if worn out with receipt. NEW SHOCKS

Back to un-named retailer, here's your worn out Ranchos and RECEIPT.

Yes sir, your new N/C shocks will be here in a few days. He added how did you keep/find a 12 year old receipt? No clue but here it is.

Happy days are here again new shocks for free and on the road again.

Gary

 

[Cummins12V98]

Except they're not. They are valved stiffer, for more unsprung weight.

The main difference between the Bilstein Heavy Duty vs Bilstein 5100s is that the Heavy Duty or 4600 series is designed for stock height trucks and the 5100 Series is built for lifted trucks. The other major difference between the Heavy Duty and 5100 is that the Bilstein 5100 Series shocks have a zinc coating with a brushed metal shock body and a black boot while the Heavy Duty uses a painted yellow body with a blue dust boot.

The Similarities: The 5100 series and the Heavy Duty shocks use the same technology internally. Both use the same internal valving and at stock height will ride the same (shocks for lifted trucks may use different valving settings in order to accommodate the extra weight of larger tires). Both shocks are pressurized with 360 psi of nitrogen to prevent shock fade and foaming of the shock oil. The outer construction of both shocks is identical as well with an extruded metal body rather for maximum strength and top of the line seals. The 5100 series and Heavy Duty 4600 series are both covered under Bilstein's limited lifetime warranty that protects against any manufacturer defects for the life of the shock.

 

[kthaxton]

(shocks for lifted trucks may use different valving settings in order to accommodate the extra weight of larger tires).

At least with the shocks available from Geno's (perhaps there are other options Geno's does not carry?) they are all intended for 0-1 or 2" lift, ...which would imply different valving.
The printed catalog that Geno's sends with the magazine also states they are valved stiffer for larger tires.

 

[B.G. Smith]

I had the Ranco adjustable, much better ride than stock. bg

 

[Tuesdak]

Cupping tire wear is a sign shocks are done. From tires bouncing down the road. 50k is a good life for shocks.

 

[Newsa]

Cupping tire wear is a sign shocks are done. From tires bouncing down the road. 50k is a good life for shocks.

By cupping, I'm guessing you mean more wear on the outside than the center of the tire?

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

82,200 miles on the Stock shocks , and the ride is still good. Tire wear is also good.

 

[mfurrh55]

Ive got 190,000 on mine and they are still good

I might need to add that i did replace front shocks with Air shocks, rears are 190,000 plus i have rear airbags, so they do have a helper, Thanks

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

82,200 miles on the Stock shocks , and the ride is still good. Tire wear is also good.

That being said, new 4600's are going on soon.

 

[TowPro]

if you have a 2" longer shock on the front of a stock truck, will the front coil spring fall out when you jack up the truck by the frame?

 

[AEdelheit]

if you have a 2" longer shock on the front of a stock truck, will the front coil spring fall out when you jack up the truck by the frame?

On a 94-13 4 link trucks the coils are pretty big an the shock is inside the coil so the coil cant really go anywhere and can handle a 2" longer shock, on the radius arm trucks where the coils are smaller and the shock is outside the coil yes the coil can fall out and proper shock length is critical!