Shock upgrade question...

[Andystoy AT4]

I am glad that you are happy with your purchase, it shows that owners have different expectations and there are options for others who have different expectations; just as there are different makes and models of truck to choose from.

 

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[kobra357]

Does anyone have input on how the ride quality differs from Stock vs. Fox vs. Bilstein vs. others....?

So I have had both. I had them on my 16 Diesel and all my other GM truck before. I personally like the FOX better. I think they are tighter handle bumps and washboard roads and curves better. BUT the Bilstein might be a tad better for a mostly highway truck. I right now have Bilstein on my truck. I really like them. I did not buy FOX as they were WAY more in price and I was done with the premium $$$ in today’s market. You can not go wrong with either and your truck will respond like it should. Ik someone here said he like the Ranchos but they are trash in comparison. It will be best investment you make for your truck hands down. That said I have not had any of the other premium shocks others have tried but any upgrade compared to the stock shocks is a bonus. Again IMO.

 

[Jsurf58]

Bilstein 5100s rear and front. Night and day difference in ride quality. Highly recommend

Negative. Maybe night and day to worn out shocks. Still not a good.

 

[Jsurf58]

I installed the front Biltein shocks a couple of days ago at 17500 km/10937m. They are installed at the lowest clip (stock height) and there is no noticeable change in the front end height.
I removed the front strut package at home but when I tried to compress the springs with two econo spring compressors it didn't look good so I took the struts to a front end place and they changed the Ranchos with the Biltein. I installed the front struts at home.
After a 80km/50m drive this morning on our asphalt roads, the truck now has a stiffer ride (more jar when crossing the breaks in the pavement). I will be towing the same trailer towards the weekend and will update if something is different.

IMO and FWIW if your Ranchos are still good, run them until they need to be replaced. I don't feel the change was worth it for me. I drive asphalt 2 and 4 lane highways that have lots of pavement cracks and later on they grow with the frost heaves.

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Agreed. Not worth it. Factory shocks rode better. Honestly I highway truck jumps worse /sways and tracks bad. Save your money for f0x/king 2.5’s