Couple of questions!

CanadianDooD · October 7, 2016

Hey all! New guy here; but a long time lurker.

I recently picked up a '15 2500HD LT, to replace an '06 1500HD work truck! Love it!

So, the first issue I have is the shocks - the stock Z71 Rancho's have the worst rebound damping I've ever seen....and given that I abuse this thing down highway, gravel, ditches, muddy goop, etc, I need to keep the rear end from ejecting my load of dangerous goods! Does anyone have any suggestions for shocks that are going to treat my load a little better? I'm already on 45-50 psi of airbags to keep this thing at about the right level of sag.....and I'm definitely not opposed to spending the cash on dual-adjustables.

Second, I bought the new girl a set of Fast Wheels "Mission" wheels in 18X9, +20 a few weeks back, but haven't pulled the trigger on tires just yet.

I'm eyeballing the slightly-meatier 285/65R18 STT Pro, but would like to at least confirm the width/offset before going crazy. I have ZERO plans to lift or level, after the last truck went through 4 front ends in less than 40K Km's. Stock diameter tires, stock level suspension.....works for me.

Anyway, info or thoughts would be much appreciated! Thanks!

sdeeter19555 · October 8, 2016

In my experience, if you're at 50psi in the bags to keep it level, you should have bought a 3500. It will take a lot of shock to control that kind of weight from bobbing/porpoising on airbags.

Probably a decent set of Bilsteins (4600s are the towing version if I remember correctly), or even dual shocks brackets (if they even make that for these trucks).

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CanadianDooD · October 9, 2016

^{Hmmm...well, the bags aren't really keeping the truck 'level', so much as giving it back the rake it had from the factory. The photo above is with no bags at all....it looks level-ish, but the rear is actually sitting about 3/8'" lower than the front. I'm using 45psi to bring the rear up to about 1.5" above the front. Bad idea?}^{Should I try taking it down in pressure incrementally to see if the ride improves? What do people normally run for pressure? I'm open to suggestions!}

^{^{I didn't see a need for the 1-ton; I'm still well within GVWR with all my junk, tools, fuel, and gear.........}}

Dirtbiker · October 9, 2016

What kind of truck and what mods did you have that caused a new front end every 10,000 km?

I have 275/70 r18's and they do not rub anywhere with close to the same offset rims. Any bigger and they would rub. I did crank the front end up two inches but they would clear if I hadn't done that.

I don't know about constantly carrying that much weight but I put Pro Comp shocks on and they seem to be pretty good so far. They were an upgrade fom base Pro Comps. Maybe Pro Comp Pro's or something like that

sdeeter19555 · October 9, 2016

^{Hmmm...well, the bags aren't really keeping the truck 'level', so much as giving it back the rake it had from the factory. The photo above is with no bags at all....it looks level-ish, but the rear is actually sitting about 3/8'" lower than the front. I'm using 45psi to bring the rear up to about 1.5" above the front. Bad idea?}^{Should I try taking it down in pressure incrementally to see if the ride improves? What do people normally run for pressure? I'm open to suggestions!}

^{^{I didn't see a need for the 1-ton; I'm still well within GVWR with all my junk, tools, fuel, and gear.........}}

I can't help you...sorry.

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CanadianDooD · October 9, 2016

It was my 1500HD that blew through front ends like crazy. It had a cheapo levelling kit/1" block to clear 285/70R17's, and a lot of miles. Combine that with the weight (it was RIGHT at GVWR), and a ton of Fort Mac/Conklin lease roads....well...I'm just surprised that it's still in 1 piece!

I am looking at some bits from Fox and King right now....A bit pricey, but I might just have to e-mail them and see if that's a solution. It seems like the higher end stuff might be the way to go, as they usually have more adjustability, or are valved according to your needs when you buy them. It would, however, be somewhat-less-than fantastic to have a custom shock valved for what you THINK you need, and get it completely wrong!