New Bilsteins
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From: Middletown NJ
New Bilsteins
So I am in the market for new shocks, and I was wondering which of their product line up fits my truck? Right now I am looking at their Heavy Duty line up. I am looking for a truck's ride, not some luxury thing. Right now when I go over speed bumps my truck rocks forward and backwards for a while, the OEM shocks are way over due to be changed at 125K miles. I am not going to be doing off roading with this thing, and it is not lifted. Would the 5100 series be better, and would they fit my truck, or should I go with the HD ones.
By the way, I do not have the air ride system and it is A4WD.
Edit - I should have added that if anyone has any suggestions other than bilsteins, I would like to hear them. I would like to find a decent set with reservoirs, as I believe these would be the best.
By the way, I do not have the air ride system and it is A4WD.
Edit - I should have added that if anyone has any suggestions other than bilsteins, I would like to hear them. I would like to find a decent set with reservoirs, as I believe these would be the best.
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I am almost positive that the 5100 series is not offered for stock suspension height trucks, at least I have not found that application offered anywhere.
That leaves the HD's, which are perfect for what you are wanting, and exactly what I am going to fit to mine very soon. I expect that they will firm up the ride a fair amount. Keep in mind though, the Expy is softly sprung for ride comfort and the shocks will only do so much to firm that up. Trying to make shocks too hard and start doing the work of the springs is a bad idea. The wheels need to move in order to remain in contact with the road surface. The shocks control this.
A resevoir shock is huge overkill for a street vehicle, don't waste your money. The fluid in shocks heats up with repeated cycling. Off road or racing use, multiplies this heat by several times over street use, and that is where the benefits of a resevoir lie. You will not have any benefit on a street driven vehicle.
That leaves the HD's, which are perfect for what you are wanting, and exactly what I am going to fit to mine very soon. I expect that they will firm up the ride a fair amount. Keep in mind though, the Expy is softly sprung for ride comfort and the shocks will only do so much to firm that up. Trying to make shocks too hard and start doing the work of the springs is a bad idea. The wheels need to move in order to remain in contact with the road surface. The shocks control this.
A resevoir shock is huge overkill for a street vehicle, don't waste your money. The fluid in shocks heats up with repeated cycling. Off road or racing use, multiplies this heat by several times over street use, and that is where the benefits of a resevoir lie. You will not have any benefit on a street driven vehicle.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Middletown NJ
Ok I figured as much about the Bilstein 5100s but wanted to be sure. I can outfit them on the rear, I know that, but up front they wont fit. Would the ride be a little firmer if I got heavier rated springs also? I am not looking for an offroading machine, just something that when I go on a beaten to crap dirt road, it will handle it with a stiffer feeling. Right now I go down a certain road at 5MPH because the truck starts rocking, but if I had a stiffer suspension, I would like to be able to go 15MPH or so.
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I wish I could tell you from experience what the truck will be like with the Bilstein HD's. Mine has the KYB's, the expensive ones, red with the flexible boots. I was told by the PO that they were only a couple of years old but one is already leaking and they feel pretty soft to me. I would guess worn out stockers are worse yet.
I have a fair amount of faith, from previous Bilstein experiences, that these will be a good cure for my wallowing ride too.
I suspect you could find a heavier set of torsion bars for the front. I think a stiffer set of coils in back are going to be hard to find. Another possible solution is stiffer anti-roll bars, though they negatively effect one wheel bumps and increase head toss side to side.
I am going to start with the shocks and see where it goes from there. The bigger issue is that we are trying to control the body motions of a top heavy 3 ton SUV
I am actually fairly pleased with the truck. I drive some of the twistiest mtn roads in the world with this truck. I do it on tires taller than it came with, and it does pretty well. It isn't as carlike as the Jeep Grand Cherokee it replaced but the difference is, this is a real truck.
I have a fair amount of faith, from previous Bilstein experiences, that these will be a good cure for my wallowing ride too.
I suspect you could find a heavier set of torsion bars for the front. I think a stiffer set of coils in back are going to be hard to find. Another possible solution is stiffer anti-roll bars, though they negatively effect one wheel bumps and increase head toss side to side.
I am going to start with the shocks and see where it goes from there. The bigger issue is that we are trying to control the body motions of a top heavy 3 ton SUV
I am actually fairly pleased with the truck. I drive some of the twistiest mtn roads in the world with this truck. I do it on tires taller than it came with, and it does pretty well. It isn't as carlike as the Jeep Grand Cherokee it replaced but the difference is, this is a real truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Middletown NJ
I think with the amount I want to spend, I am going to stick to just new shocks for now. If I happen to get some more cash later for a new upgrade, I may get anti-sway bars, but those are quite expensive.
Thanks for the help Big Greenie, I really like your trucks options. You know why I like them? We practically have the same truck haha.
Thanks for the help Big Greenie, I really like your trucks options. You know why I like them? We practically have the same truck haha.
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