Shock Help!

[AWE Daniel]

Hey guys I am wanting to upgrade my front shocks, I think mine are worn out and its making the front of my truck sit too low. I know I want to go with Bilstein but I am not sure which ones to get. I want the stock height but with better performance.

This is what I found

http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/61A5657A0A0A3009527.aspx

[Fla 66 cuda]

I think both my fronts cost less than that [holyshitznits] i'm sorry they look like they will do the job.

[AWE Daniel]

Yup bilsteins arent the cheapest I know that lol, but I'm tying this into the R/T conversion so I want a little performance with every change

[SmokedRam]

Here is the proper Bilstein part number from Bilstein for your truck:

24-069274


Linkage:
http://cart.bilsteinus.com/product/24-069274/1424630

[SmokedRam]

Shock Warehouse has them a little cheaper than Autoanything...free shipping too!

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/product.cfm/id/15099/adid/148?digiper

[AWE Daniel]

Yup those are the ones I posted I searched it again by that number

[AWE Daniel]

Shock Warehouse has them a little cheaper than Autoanything...free shipping too!

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/product.cfm/id/15099/adid/148?digiper

I know this is stupid as hell, but that picture is all wrong and it scares me lol

[Redtruck-VA]

Just want to point out that shocks won't change you ride height. Unless they are the wrong shock and are bottomed out and holding the truck up. This would ride terrible and you would know something wasn't right. I would recommend you get the height where you want it and then select your shock. Good luck.

[AWE Daniel]

Greg you dont think with them being all worn out the front would sag?

[SmokedRam]

I know this is stupid as hell, but that picture is all wrong and it scares me lol


LOL...it would scare me too...I am not too sure how yalls 3rd gen front shocks attach...LOL...I am gonna go with the Bilstein HD's as well...

[Redtruck-VA]

Greg you dont think with them being all worn out the front would sag?

Shocks control movement, not support weight. Gas shocks have some preload but not much. Bad shocks can cause the springs to weaken over a peroid of time.

[AWE Daniel]

Changed your mind from the monroes huh?

[AWE Daniel]

Shocks control movement, not support weight. Gas shocks have some preload but not much. Bad shocks can cause the springs to weaken over a peroid of time.

So my best bet would be to replace shocks and springs huh?

[SmokedRam]

Changed your mind from the monroes huh?


Yeah...I really dont wanna go with the Monroes and have to replace them in a year or so...so I am just gonna go with the Bilsteins. Talked to the wife about it this weekend and as soon as we finish the kids school shopping and school clothes, she is setting aside the money for me to get them and my windows tinted.

[4XLGator]

D, if you go with shock warehouse I would recommend you call to check availability as they have had stock issues with Bilsteins for awhile now. Not necessary saying yours, but I know they have with the 5100's.

[Fla 66 cuda]

Replace the shocks springs should not be worn out on that truck yet unless your dropping it.

[AWE Daniel]

Im not planning on dropping it its just the front end seems lower than it should be, I just want to correct that and get better components while I am at it.

[Fla 66 cuda]

I must be a cheap bastard but i stick with monroe or gabrel and get every dime outa them been buyin them since the late 70s. Sorry fellas i'm full of it tonite.

[SmokedRam]

Right now my shocks creak so bad it sends a chill down my spine...lol

[Fla 66 cuda]

That ain't your shocks Adam it's your ball joints our 2nd gens are notorius for ball joint falure [shocks don't creek] just be glad you dont have a 2001 i did one they suck yours press in i beleve not a big deal with the right tools.

[Smitty]

I know the Bilsteins are highly recommended for the 2500/3500's. I just replaced the shocks on mine with them. $70 a piece at Geno's. My rear sits up 2-3" higher in the rear due to the heavier springs. I find I get better gas mileage that way because I am always going down hill. But, evens out when I am hitched up to my 5th wheel.

[Redtruck-VA]

So my best bet would be to replace shocks and springs huh?

What stance are you looking for? Level and high, requiring the front to be lifted. Level and low, requiring the rear to be dropped. If you are going higher in the front you might beable the put a spacer under the lower rubber donut. To drop the rear, you would install 2" drop shackles which will give you a 1-1/2" drop. Removing the O/L spring generally levels most 3g trucks with stock height fronts.

[Fla 66 cuda]

I know the Bilsteins are highly recommended for the 2500/3500's. I just replaced the shocks on mine with them. $70 a piece at Geno's. My rear sits up 2-3" higher in the rear due to the heavier springs. I find I get better gas mileage that way because I am always going down hill. But, evens out when I am hitched up to my 5th wheel.

HaHa thats rich but don't forget you look faster with that rake.

[SmokedRam]

LOL...the computer here at work doesnt block ads here on the site...while on this thread a google ad is on the right of the screen saying enter code "SHOX2" for up to 25% off shocks and struts at Advance Auto...I tried it...sure enough, it took almost $14 off my cart total on there....

[AWE Daniel]

What stance are you looking for? Level and high, requiring the front to be lifted. Level and low, requiring the rear to be dropped. If you are going higher in the front you might beable the put a spacer under the lower rubber donut. To drop the rear, you would install 2" drop shackles which will give you a 1-1/2" drop. Removing the O/L spring generally levels most 3g trucks with stock height fronts.

Greg what I am saying Is I think my front end is lower than stock because something is wrong.

[Smitty]

HaHa thats rich but don't forget you look faster with that rake.

Air shocks with Cragers all around...lol

[AWE Daniel]

LOL...the computer here at work doesnt block ads here on the site...while on this thread a google ad is on the right of the screen saying enter code "SHOX2" for up to 25% off shocks and struts at Advance Auto...I tried it...sure enough, it took almost $14 off my cart total on there....

They dont sell bilsteins, but that would be sweet

[4XLGator]

^ LOL...old skool!

Dammit D, that was for Smitty...you jumped in there LOL

[Fla 66 cuda]

Holy crap air shocks i remember using those spring lift things in my coils on my torino till i could afford air shocks,my roadrunner's tires fit under the fenders.Those were the days jack it up as high as you can to get them big tires to clear them fenders my god were we un safe back then.

[4XLGator]

Daniel, I paid $75 each with free shipping for my Bilstein 5100s. Seems like the ones you're looking at should be a little less.

[Smitty]

Holy crap air shocks i remember using those spring lift things in my coils on my torino till i could afford air shocks,my roadrunner's tires fit under the fenders.Those were the days jack it up as high as you can to get them big tires to clear them fenders my god were we un safe back then.

Yep...and if they still were not high enough you could get extenders to make the shocks longer. You went in one direction only....straight. Did not want to make a corner to fast and blow one of your shocks or the plastic air hose popped lose. There went you M/T's

[Smitty]

^ LOL...old skool!

Dammit D, that was for Smitty...you jumped in there LOL

You young whipper snappers don't know what you missed...lol

[Fla 66 cuda]

My friend had an old fury and wanted some big meats on it but did not want to cut fenders, air shocks and shackels and extenders and they cleared by inches. You had to stand on a ladder to reach in the trunk.

[SmokedRam]

Greg what I am saying Is I think my front end is lower than stock because something is wrong.


There was a Ram driving around town Friday, with the EXACT same rake as yours...

[SmokedRam]

My friend had an old fury and wanted some big meats on it but did not want to cut fenders, air shocks and shackels and extenders and they cleared by inches. You had to stand on a ladder to reach in the trunk.


I had air shocks on my 73 Cutlass Supreme...it was pretty cool...

[Smitty]

Even had air shocks on a Pinto I had for awhile.

[4XLGator]

i had air shocks on an '86 citation

[AWE Daniel]

There was a Ram driving around town Friday, with the EXACT same rake as yours...

Well I guess Ill hold off and ask my mechanic what he thinks when I get the trans service done, I guess Ill call him tomorrow and see how busy he is.

[SmokedRam]

Well I guess Ill hold off and ask my mechanic what he thinks when I get the trans service done, I guess Ill call him tomorrow and see how busy he is.


Yeah, it might just be a different susp package that came with your truck...you ever get a build sheet for it to see what exactly it came with?

[4XLGator]

I didn't notice it looking abnormally low in the front at wiregrass.

[SmokedRam]

I didn't notice it looking abnormally low in the front at wiregrass.


Prob because the rear has been lowered a little....I have told him his Ram has a wierd amount of front rake....

[AWE Daniel]

Nope never did. I know my rear has the coil on shock setup, and Ive seen some trucks without the coil, so maybe that has something to do with it.

[AWE Daniel]

Prob because the rear has been lowered a little....I have told him his Ram has a wierd amount of front rake....

Greg said something about it too awhile back.

[SmokedRam]

Yeah, before you lowered the rear, it was really obvious...

But you know some of the Cummins trucks are like that...I swear they come in 3 different stances from the dealer...one pulled into the gas station the other day that sat no higher than my gen2

[Smitty]

I didn't notice it looking abnormally low in the front at wiregrass.

He has air shocks on the front. :naughty:

[4XLGator]

adam, my old neighbor 04.5 is that way....low

[AWE Daniel]

I just requested a build sheet from dodge, so lets see what they say.

[Smitty]

Yeah, before you lowered the rear, it was really obvious...

But you know some of the Cummins trucks are like that...I swear they come in 3 different stances from the dealer...one pulled into the gas station the other day that sat no higher than my gen2

True, saying earlier my 2500 sits about 2-3" higher in rear due to the heavier springs.

[4XLGator]

^ mine use to sit that much higher in the rear too


Ken, do you have the big helper spring in the back too?

[Redtruck-VA]

Nope never did. I know my rear has the coil on shock setup, and Ive seen some trucks without the coil, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Maybe I missed something here, are you saying you now have coils on your rear shocks? If so, that's not stock.

[AWE Daniel]

I'll take a pic tomorrow

Edit: pics incoming

[SmokedRam]

Yeah, Daniel, if you have load assist shocks in the rear (they look like coil overs), it will sit a little higher in the rear...some people use them to level the rear to the front after a front level rather than using a 1 inch block in the back....

[AWE Daniel]

Here they are

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/cadillac360/102_0309.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/cadillac360/102_0310.jpg

[SmokedRam]

Yup, those are load assist shocks....they actually will make your truck sit higher in the rear than a normal shock set up will...

[AWE Daniel]

Well this has me thinking, maybe I should get the bilsteins for the rear and get rid of these things.

[4XLGator]

yeah, they aren't stock...and one of them is leaking

[AWE Daniel]

are those a stock option?


Edit: NVM

[AWE Daniel]

yeah, they aren't stock...and one of them is leaking

What? I drove this thing through the rain a couple hours ago.

[SmokedRam]

As a matter of fact, after Tony on RF leveled his gen2, the front sit higher than the rear...he threw a set of those on the back and it leveled it...

[AWE Daniel]

Hmm I didnt know that, Ill have to ask him about it next time I talk to him.

[Redtruck-VA]

That's why the rear is sitting high. Pull them off and see where it sits. I suspect you will drop at least a 1-1/2".

[SmokedRam]

All they are really meant for is offsetting the load on the shock to help eliminate rear squat under load...

[4XLGator]

yeah, i remember Tony doing that.

and yes, the one on the driver side appears to have fluid on it...you can't miss it

[AWE Daniel]

Can I just rip em off and put in new ones?

[SmokedRam]

can i just rip em off and put in new ones?


yes sir

[4XLGator]

^ hell yeah

[AWE Daniel]

Okay cool beans, looks like Im ordering rear shocks now lol.

Im glad you guys know youre stuff because as you can see I have no idea when it comes to suspension!

[SmokedRam]

Okay cool beans, looks like Im ordering rear shocks now lol.

Im glad you guys know youre stuff because as you can see I have no idea when it comes to suspension!


put them on craigslist when you pull them off...I bet they sell...

[4XLGator]

^ yessir!

[AWE Daniel]

So what kind should I get now?

[SmokedRam]

So what kind should I get now?


Unless you're gonna go with Bilsteins up front, I would just get Monoes or Gabriels from Advance...you dont tow anything from what I can tell...

[AWE Daniel]

Thats what I am thinking, I am gonna make the parts store rounds tomorrow see what I can round up

[SmokedRam]

well, dont forget that code "SHOX2"...it will save you 15% if you order them online...

[4XLGator]

monroes or gabriels would be fine for your use

[AWE Daniel]

Now which monroe, they have a super cheap one, and a Sensa Trac that is about 45$ a piece

[SmokedRam]

Now which monroe, they have a super cheap one, and a Sensa Trac that is about 45$ a piece


Just do the Gas Matic ones....

[AWE Daniel]

I think Im gonna go with the Sensa-trac just so I dont shoot myself for cheaping out, and with that code adam I save 13$ so thanks for that Bud!

[SmokedRam]

Sweet!!!!...

[SmokedRam]

Looks like these are what you have now...

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Sensa-Trac-Load-Adjustable-Shock-Absorber-Monroe_18570203-P_50_R%7CGRPSHOCAMS_966139967____


see how much them honchos are?

[AWE Daniel]

That was 13$ a shock so that was 26$ with that code so I got fast shipping, gonna get it this week prob weds

[AWE Daniel]

Looks like these are what you have now...

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Sensa-Trac-Load-Adjustable-Shock-Absorber-Monroe_18570203-P_50_R%7CGRPSHOCAMS_966139967____


see how much them honchos are?

Yeah maybe I can get 50$ for em on Craigslist, whatchu think?

[SmokedRam]

I would think so....clean them up real good and make them look shiny!!!

[Smitty]

^ mine use to sit that much higher in the rear too


Ken, do you have the big helper spring in the back too?

Not sure if I do or not. Went somewhere to check on prices for something and they asked me the same question. The guy out and looked at the truck and told me ????? (I can't remember...lol). I think I do, It has one spring that does not lay like the others.

[AWE Daniel]

Shocks are shipped, should have em tomorrow!

[SmokedRam]

awesome...do yourself a favor and go under there and spray the bolts on the shock with penetrating spray....it will make it easier for whomever pulls them off to get the bolts loose...

[AWE Daniel]

awesome...do yourself a favor and go under there and spray the bolts on the shock with penetrating spray....it will make it easier for whomever pulls them off to get the bolts loose...

I have WD-40 thats it lol.

[SmokedRam]

WD-40 is better than nothing...spray it down every night a couple days before you plan on removing them.

[MikeHTally]

Just want to point out that shocks won't change you ride height. Unless they are the wrong shock and are bottomed out and holding the truck up. This would ride terrible and you would know something wasn't right. I would recommend you get the height where you want it and then select your shock. Good luck.Hear, hear! Check Rock Auto for the shocks. I got my Monroe Reflex from them for only 'bout $38 each. Tenneco may still have the rebate on Monroe and Bilstein.

[Fla 66 cuda]

Not sure if I do or not. Went somewhere to check on prices for something and they asked me the same question. The guy out and looked at the truck and told me ????? (I can't remember...lol). I think I do, It has one spring that does not lay like the others.

Smitty you have an overload spring [the one that looks upside down] all 2500/3500s have them. I will be removing mine IF we lower the rattlebucket haven't decided on that yet and i will have to install air bag helpers for towing duties.

[Smitty]

Smitty you have an overload spring [the one that looks upside down] all 2500/3500s have them. I will be removing mine IF we lower the rattlebucket haven't decided on that yet and i will have to install air bag helpers for towing duties.
Thanks...Thought I did.

[Fla 66 cuda]

Welcome i lost one of the rubber covers on the stops bolted to the frame so when i go over rr tracks she bangs and rattles,tried to put an old radiator hose over it it did not fit so rattle on she does.

[AWE Daniel]

Shocks got here today and I dropped the truck off with my guy so he will get to it first thing in the morning, he is gonna charge me about 75-100 bucks to do the tranny service (big thanks to adam for the free fluid!) and swap those darn shocks out, so Im a happy camper!

[SmokedRam]

Whoot!!!!!!!

[AWE Daniel]

See the difference?

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/cadillac360/100_0222.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/cadillac360/WP_000089.jpg

[AWE Daniel]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/cadillac360/WP_000090.jpg

These came off it

[SmokedRam]

Looks good Daniel....before long you will have it low enough to pull the steps off of it!!!

[garner]

See the difference?

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/cadillac360/100_0222.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r74/cadillac360/WP_000089.jpg

Bed cover instead of toolbox, no side moldings, and red front brake calipers?

[SmokedRam]

^^^and it is about 2" lower in the rear now that he has taken the load adjusting shocks off and replaced them with conventional shocks.

[Redtruck-VA]

Drop shackles and removing the O/L spring will make it level.

[BAD HABIT]

He has drop shackles

Sent from my badass EVO on TapaTalk....

[AWE Daniel]

Drop shackles and removing the O/L spring will make it level.

Lol greg you sold me the drop shackles bud!


And yeah it is much better, you might have to see it in person but it is a lot less raked. There is a much smaller gap above the rear tires.

[Redtruck-VA]

Lol greg you sold me the drop shackles bud!


And yeah it is much better, you might have to see it in person but it is a lot less raked. There is a much smaller gap above the rear tires.

Haha, my keen memory is one of my strong assets. Man, I'm in trouble. Just looks high for having shackles, sorry. Are you going to remove the O/L, that'll drop her a bit.

[4XLGator]

I can see it, most definitely. Looks better!

[AWE Daniel]

I think it'll stay like this, I like a little bit of rake, I'll have to measure it

[SmokedRam]

That ain't your shocks Adam it's your ball joints our 2nd gens are notorius for ball joint falure [shocks don't creek] just be glad you dont have a 2001 i did one they suck yours press in i beleve not a big deal with the right tools.

How in the hell did I miss this post????

[AWE Daniel]

Yup that sucks

[SmokedRam]

Yup that sucks

Yep...sure does...oh well, not like the shocks didnt need changing anyways.