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Suspension/Ride Quality Improvement

jburch77

By jburch77
in Modifications & Accessories

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fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the info. I will definitely rule out stacking them. So the ride is noticeably better? I may go this route.

 

I found the ride to be a lot better with the Bilsteins. You could spend some more money and go with a fox or a king shock, and i've heard those ride even better.

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EChavez Enthusiast

EChavez

Posted
Posted

Upgrade yourself to some Bilstein 5100's. The OEM ranchos are junk. and the leveling kit you have isnt helping.

 

If you add the 5100's they have a built in leveling adjustment, so you will need to remove your leveling kit. There are four settings, 0", 3/4", 1.5" and 1.8". I have them and I have them set to the middle 1.5" setting. Truck rides great. Handles the bumps and potholes a lot better too.

 

 

Alternatively, if you are keen on keeping your current leveling kit, you can replace your shocks with Bilstein 4600's which do not have any height adjustment and are direct replacements for the struts. The only difference between the 5100 and the 4600 is the adjustable aspect. Otherwise they are valved the same.

 

I prefer the 5100 method, because it makes the strut and the leveling kit all in one unit. No funky block or bracket to mess with. Everything bolts into the stock locations.

 

What if you go with Bilstein 4600's and just replace the stock ranchos but keep the spacer kit installed? Will it improve the ride? I only ask because I have a 2.5" kit and the truck isn't dead level. So if I used the 5100's and maxed them out at 1.8" I'm assuming they not only won't ride well because they're maxed but the truck still wont be level. Or am I missing something?

fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
Posted

 

What if you go with Bilstein 4600's and just replace the stock ranchos but keep the spacer kit installed? Will it improve the ride? I only ask because I have a 2.5" kit and the truck isn't dead level. So if I used the 5100's and maxed them out at 1.8" I'm assuming they not only won't ride well because they're maxed but the truck still wont be level. Or am I missing something?

 

You could do that.

 

But I've heard from others that have maxed out bilsteins say it rides fine.

EChavez Enthusiast

EChavez

Posted
Posted

 

You could do that.

 

But I've heard from others that have maxed out bilsteins say it rides fine.

 

I've just been going through options, I eventually want to upgrade the shocks but the only thing holding me back is the leveling amount of the shocks. I just don't want an nosediving truck :nonod:

Eddie 70 Senior Enthusiast

Eddie 70

Posted
Posted

The Ranchos are white. The black ones are junk monotube shocks. When I swapped the montubes out this summer one was shock already one its way out at 10k miles.

 

Thanks for the reply. I knew they were rough riding IMO. I'm not really interested in lifting the truck, I would rather have a nicer ride than what I currently have. Take some of the jarring out of the bumps. I think Bilsteins should be on my short list. Any recommendations? I had thought about leveling by lowering the rear with shackles.

HondaHawkGT Senior Enthusiast

HondaHawkGT

Posted
Posted

The Bilstein 5100's are supposed to give a good ride. Probably the best bang for the buck. The 9000xl Ranchos are a good alternative but I wouldn't buy them until June/July when they have their summer rebate promotion.

Tek74 Enthusiast

Tek74

Posted
Posted

If you add the 5100's they have a built in leveling adjustment, so you will need to remove your leveling kit. There are four settings, 0", 3/4", 1.5" and 1.8". I have them and I have them set to the middle 1.5" setting. Truck rides great. Handles the bumps and potholes a lot better too.

 

Good info, but when I look at their website (below), it says 0" - 2.5"

Why do you say 1.8" is the max height increment?

 

http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/truck-off-road/5100-series-ride-height-adjustable/

 

Travis Whitmore Enthusiast

Travis Whitmore

Posted
Posted

I checked into Fox, unless you are lifted 6" they don't offer anything.

Not true at all. I just ordered the Fox 2.0 coil overs and matching rear shocks. The coil overs are adjustable from 0-2".

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
Posted

 

Good info, but when I look at their website (below), it says 0" - 2.5"

Why do you say 1.8" is the max height increment?

 

http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/truck-off-road/5100-series-ride-height-adjustable/

That says "depending on application."

 

They make 5100s for a variety of trucks. Some might have different adjustment heights. But if you drill down and find the part number specific for GM 1500 trucks. I believe the max height is 1.8". See link.

 

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/24-238304-sierra-5100.html

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dezrado Enthusiast

Dezrado

Posted
Posted

9B5F0847-B394-4A58-8BCD-017C391ADEA6.jpg

 

Stop joking around with bilsteins and ranchos and cognitos, get a bajakits midtravel kit with kings. Problem solved

58E56D35-261B-45AF-BD52-54D3F3F44CFB.jpg

F6252274-619A-4283-A60C-B23ACA97A6C3.jpg

6E53CA36-3551-4F75-B1A7-7165737876B7.jpg

Fire2968 Enthusiast

Fire2968

Posted
Posted

Cant you get 5100s that are non adjustable? 4wheelparts shows both adjustable and non.

 

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Suspension/Shock-Absorbers.aspx?t_c=1&t_s=90&t_pt=3306&Manufacturer_AMAN=Bilstein

 

Just curious because I too would like to get Bilstein's but am worried about the Level/Shock issue.

 

Currently have RC 2.5" with Rear block installed.

Clocked92 Enthusiast

Clocked92

Posted
Posted

I checked into Fox, unless you are lifted 6" they don't offer anything.

 

This is not true. Fox offers 2.0 shocks that are adjustable and will give you a 2" level just from the coilover.

Clocked92 Enthusiast

Clocked92

Posted
Posted

Not true at all. I just ordered the Fox 2.0 coil overs and matching rear shocks. The coil overs are adjustable from 0-2".

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Can you start up a thread once you get them and install on your truck? I've been looking at going this direction for awhile but I'm waiting until my warranty is close to the end.

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