Shock talk

[Roscopcoletrain]

Will be looking to replace my probably original shocks & struts in the somewhat near future. I've done a search, been reading reviews, and have it narrowed down to 3.

 

Monroe Reflex - seems to have great reviews, no neg about them

Bilstein 5100 - also good reviews, offer adjustability

Bilstein 4600 HD - good reviews, better for towing seems to be the overall consensus

 

I do tow my trailer in the summer, so thats a plus for the 4600. I do have a 1.5" level & 2" block in the rear. Plus for the 5100. Monroe's, great reviews, cheapest. Plus for them.

 

Thoughts?? Amazon seems to give me the best price for here in Canada. Any other suggestions?

[grampadirt]

Just saw this thread

 

Check out KYB MonoMax shocks.I have them on both of my Suburbans and love 'em.They have a bit of a firm ride but I like that,wife doesn't seem to notice.

[00Silverado4x4]

My previous '06 I put the Monroe Reflex's all around and they were great. I had about 60k miles on them by time it was demolished and they were still holding up fine...even with the off roading I did with it.

[white1500]

Personal experience with the 4600's is very good but they are relatively firm, if you go off road you might want to consider the 5100's. Both would allow for 1500 level towing so it won't make a difference in that regard.

[kstruckcountry]

I think I have around 40k with the 5100's and I still really like them.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

I have owned both the Bilstein 5100 and the 4600. They both worked well but were a little stiff with an unloaded truck so I went with a different brand. Never had Monroe so I can't comment on those....

 

The 5100's are a good shock but what kind of "adjustability" do you think they offer? They really are not adjustable by any means. The front struts just give you a ride height option. Once they are installed, they are identical to any other strut on these pickups.

 

Since you already have a lift installed, go with the 4600 strut with the 5100 out back. They make them specifically for lifted trucks, 0-2" will be perfect length with your taller rear blocks. The 4600 rears may require a shock extension bracket so they don't bottom out.

With your front leveling kit, the the 5100's and their 1.8" lift option can't be used safely. I would definitely go with the 4600 since you don't want front struts for the specific purpose of lifting the front end.

 

 

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[Murder n Mayhem]

Code in glovebox probably reads zw7-Premium Smooth Ride, regular front shocks & self contained Nivomat self leveling shocks in rear OR z55 which is the Auto Ride air system.

 

OEM style shocks are over priced & widely considered as overrated. Most convert to new shock & stiffer springs (basically what z71 has). If you get good shocks when do it your ride changes very little & you can use regular shocks from then on.

 

I (average joe driveway mechanic) did the whole conversion. It took about 2 hours in my driveway with limited tools & no spring compressor needed.

 

I used the following converting from OEM zw7 Premium Smoothride system (will work as conversion on all OEM suspension systems for @ least years 2000-2006, some systems like z55 Auto Ride will require a resistor at shock for computer purposes).

 

This conversion retains your towing capabilities: Many conversion kits & replacement systems do not, make sure to ask the manufacturer.

 

Bilstein 5100 series Rear Shock Part #24-187237

Bilstein 5100 series Front Shock Part #24-186643

Bilstein Coil Springs Part # 199021 (also known as #15711646)

 

I used 5100 series because they give room for lift which I plan on doing later but you can use the 4600 series. Spoke to Bilstein & they told me they were same shock, the 5100s just allow for 1" lift in front & 2.5" lift in rear & were different colors.

 

I put on the new shocks first but not the springs so I could see how it went without putting in the stiffer springs. The rear end sat lower, felt like it was loaded down or had load on the hitch. The right & left rear side moved around a lot more independently of each other & bounced much easier & longer.

 

I then went home & put the stiffer springs in. The truck rides like new. I was afraid I would lose some of the smoothness but hadn't. The Tahoe is more responsive, rides smooth & the new set up leveled out the truck perfectly with no real height gain or loss.

 

Shocks were a very basic swap. Doing the rear springs (in a nutshell) I put rear up on couple jack stands (I put stands under outermost side of tow package bar that was frame connected directly above), removed wheels, removed 1 sway bar bolt & 1 lower shock off each side & let shock & sway bar hang free. I unbolted nothing else. Truck was set on stands just high enough that top of springs weren't contacting body & I simply reached in, grabbed them & angled right out. Then reversed that & put in new with rubber top & bottom from old springs fitted on new. Lowered slowly checking that they were in place when weight was going back on. Put lower shock & sway bars back on, bolted on wheels, put truck on the ground & done. I am not promoting this as a way of doing it. It is simply the way that worked for me & I felt safe doing it.

 

Stores like Autozone, napa etc wanted over $125 for each shock but I got them for less than half that by going to products site & finding local distributor & parts were ordered & available for pick up in 24 hours (places like shockwarehouse had 3-4 week delivery time because they order them from Bilstein then when they get them they process them & turn around & mail out to you).

 

I researched this for over month on forums, sites, at performance shops, product manufacturers etc. I firmly believe this is the easiest way to convert from the overrated stock OEM system to one that rides very closely to OEM, fully functional & are a superior quality product. Once the new rear springs are installed you can put on any shocks that fit the z71 package for your year. After all is said, done & tested I think Bilsteins listed above are the best bang for your buck @ $444 for 4 shocks & 2 springs.

 

Hope this helps anyone considering converting your Chevy SUV or truck