Heavy Duty Shocks

Bart2500HD · August 9, 2006

My shocks are tired and I need to replace and/or upgrade. What is a good choice for the HD trucks? I pull a 30' fiver most every weekend in the spring and summer.

ZZebes · August 9, 2006

Somehow i feel my choices are limited

Draenor · August 9, 2006

Somehow i feel my choices are limited

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I went with the "all of the above"

ctfan · August 10, 2006

Look into the Bilstien shocks. I've heard a ton of good things from guys on another HD forum that run them

Will

GetMore · August 10, 2006

I use Bilsteins.

Bart2500HD · August 10, 2006

Sorry guys. Somehow I goofed up my poll.

DSengineer · August 10, 2006

Bilsteins seem to be the most popular shock upgrade on the HD's. I bought a set myself about 3 months ago and regret not doing it earlier. I purchased mine through Kennedy Diesel.

Haulin' 8.1 · August 11, 2006

Rancho RS5000 = working great on my truck. I took advantage of Ranchos "Free Shock" buy 4 get one free promotion in June and installed them on my '01 2500HD. I have the big block, heavy bumpers, 265's, and Velvet Ride shackles so my good stock shocks were over worked. I would experience front end bobbing over bumps or repetitive expansion joints etc. The rear springs would make that metal slapping noise over rough terrain. If I was in a high speed turn and hit some rough the rear would step out. I thought the shocks must be worn out as many say their's were but mine are very stiff upon removed inspection. After the Ranchos the ride is no rougher but it is smoother. When I hit a bump or hole it just goes over it and is done, no more after shocks. The rear end grips the road much better and doesn't make the spring slap noise anymore.

If your running a heavy rig with bigger tires then I can vouch that plain old, as in relatively inexpensive, Ranchos are a great upgrade.

Now that I think of it I still haven't recieved my rebate check though.

Vernon

GMCWAYNE · August 11, 2006

Yep. Voted for Bilsteins. Bought mine from Kennedy Diesel also.

gmdieseltech · August 13, 2006

i got mine from a reputable vendor, and git them locally and for A LOT LESS and i did NOT have to pay exorbiasnt shipping and "handling" costs...

Yep. Voted for Bilsteins. Bought mine from Kennedy Diesel also.

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Shooter_va · August 15, 2006

Bilsteins here as well. Got them from e-bay.

Mattt · August 15, 2006

Rancho RS5000 = working great on my truck. I took advantage of Ranchos "Free Shock" buy 4 get one free promotion in June and installed them on my '01 2500HD. I have the big block, heavy bumpers, 265's, and Velvet Ride shackles so my good stock shocks were over worked. I would experience front end bobbing over bumps or repetitive expansion joints etc. The rear springs would make that metal slapping noise over rough terrain. If I was in a high speed turn and hit some rough the rear would step out. I thought the shocks must be worn out as many say their's were but mine are very stiff upon removed inspection. After the Ranchos the ride is no rougher but it is smoother. When I hit a bump or hole it just goes over it and is done, no more after shocks. The rear end grips the road much better and doesn't make the spring slap noise anymore.

If your running a heavy rig with bigger tires then I can vouch that plain old, as in relatively inexpensive, Ranchos are a great upgrade.

Now that I think of it I still haven't recieved my rebate check though.

Vernon

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Ive got Bilsteins on my truck also. They are a marked improvement over stock.

How much did the Velvet ride shackles run you? Did you notice a difference when just those went on, or were they installed at the same time as the shocks? Id like to smooth the rear out a bit more.

Ive got all the same issues(((front end bobbing over bumps or repetitive expansion joints etc. The rear springs would make that metal slapping noise over rough terrain. If I was in a high speed turn and hit some rough the rear would step out.))).

Haulin' 8.1 · August 15, 2006

Rancho RS5000 = working great on my truck. I took advantage of Ranchos "Free Shock" buy 4 get one free promotion in June and installed them on my '01 2500HD. I have the big block, heavy bumpers, 265's, and Velvet Ride shackles so my good stock shocks were over worked. I would experience front end bobbing over bumps or repetitive expansion joints etc. The rear springs would make that metal slapping noise over rough terrain. If I was in a high speed turn and hit some rough the rear would step out. I thought the shocks must be worn out as many say their's were but mine are very stiff upon removed inspection. After the Ranchos the ride is no rougher but it is smoother. When I hit a bump or hole it just goes over it and is done, no more after shocks. The rear end grips the road much better and doesn't make the spring slap noise anymore.

If your running a heavy rig with bigger tires then I can vouch that plain old, as in relatively inexpensive, Ranchos are a great upgrade.

Now that I think of it I still haven't recieved my rebate check though.

Vernon

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Ive got Bilsteins on my truck also. They are a marked improvement over stock.

How much did the Velvet ride shackles run you? Did you notice a difference when just those went on, or were they installed at the same time as the shocks? Id like to smooth the rear out a bit more.

Ive got all the same issues(((front end bobbing over bumps or repetitive expansion joints etc. The rear springs would make that metal slapping noise over rough terrain. If I was in a high speed turn and hit some rough the rear would step out.))).

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I got the Velvet Ride's from a fellow member who went to air bags after a month because of something not related to the Velvet Rides. Both he and I think they are a great addition to the truck. Installation was easy. They actually made a large improvement in ride harshness the difference was felt before I got out of the parking lot of my shop and carried all the way up to 110 MPH. I actually do a fair amount of towing and hauling and haven't noticed any change in abilitys. My girlfreind was really impressed and now she tells people that trucks ride so much nicer nowadays. It completely removes spring stiffness from the equation while retaining wieght capacity. My rear bumper was lowered 7/8" which helped to level out the chassis a bit without cranking the T-bars, this I liked. The only problem is that it frees up the heavy rear so much that a stiff shock is needed to maintain control, but the Ranchos work perfectly.

If you want some Velvet Ride Shackles try this place who sells them for about $165. http://www.drivetrain.com/velvetride.html

As for shocks you really don't have to spend a fortune to get a excellent shock. I paid $164 for my whole set of Ranchos from (non sponsoring vendor that sounds like some it). I got them in 5 days with FREE shipping. When I get my rebate I will have spent $122 for a well made, well regarded set of shocks that are working perfectly. But then I can't say I have the most expensive shocks availiable on my truck now.