CK5
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Needing shocks
- Thread starter JOES89K5
- Start date
CGT80
1/2 ton status
I need new shocks as well and was considering the 5100 Bilstein's.
Hopefully the OP doesn't mind me jumping in instead of making a second thread.
My K5 is an 88 with a 6" lift and blocks in the back. The old shocks may have been rough country based on the part numbers 650341 and 650328. It will get new bfg all terain tires 35".
Do the bilstein shocks ride harsh?
There are plenty of reports on the web of a hard ride with them.
My k5 sees mostly street use and dirt road use. With neck and back problems hard bouncing is very painful so I want something that will ride smooth and not jar me. It doesn't get driven much but it is useful and I don't really want to get ride of it.
Is something like a kyb or gabriel going to be less harsh and not cause every little bump to be felt, or will the Bilstein's ride better?
Thanks
Hopefully the OP doesn't mind me jumping in instead of making a second thread.
My K5 is an 88 with a 6" lift and blocks in the back. The old shocks may have been rough country based on the part numbers 650341 and 650328. It will get new bfg all terain tires 35".
Do the bilstein shocks ride harsh?
There are plenty of reports on the web of a hard ride with them.
My k5 sees mostly street use and dirt road use. With neck and back problems hard bouncing is very painful so I want something that will ride smooth and not jar me. It doesn't get driven much but it is useful and I don't really want to get ride of it.
Is something like a kyb or gabriel going to be less harsh and not cause every little bump to be felt, or will the Bilstein's ride better?
Thanks
Bilsteins seem to get the best reviews on here from folks.
70% of a "normal" shocks work is done on rebound (valving can be different, 70/30 is normal for an off the shelf standard shock), not compression. Springs are going to be the major problem if it rides rough, unless it's bottoming out and hitting something.
Dropping tire pressure offroad makes a huge difference in how a vehicle rides.
70% of a "normal" shocks work is done on rebound (valving can be different, 70/30 is normal for an off the shelf standard shock), not compression. Springs are going to be the major problem if it rides rough, unless it's bottoming out and hitting something.
Dropping tire pressure offroad makes a huge difference in how a vehicle rides.
Love the Bilsteins! I plan on running them on my 73. On my 11 I went from Stock shocks, to fox when I leveled, Blew the front ones in 3k miles. Installed Bilstein 5100's, shortly after Rancho came out with their 7000 series designed to compete with the Bilstein 5100's. They sent me set to try out, I ran them for a few months then went right back to the Bilsteins.
I run Bilstein 5100's on my Duramax. Compared to stock, they do ride a tad rougher at slow speeds. I've learned to just drive faster over rough terrains, lol. Seems the harder you work them the better they ride. For example, I used to go over speed bumps at 5mph max, now I do 15 or so and can hardly tell I hit one. At 50 all you hear is a thump.
Noek
Registered Member
Have a 6" lift with 35, when I bought the truck it had procomp. I swapped them for Bilsteins and love the ride. Installing a sway bar in front helped a lot (truck didin't have it when I bought it). A friend of mine hates springs so he is actually getting rid of them and going to an all shock/strut setup. I guess that's the way to go as far as ride is concerned. I still love that 'Blazer' feeling though.
MetalMulishaMarcus
1 Ton Status
This should answer some questions.
The 5100 on my stock 91K5 were a great addition. On my 84 K2500 (quad shocks) they didn't smooth the ride out all that much.
JOES89K5
1/2 ton status
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I like the quad shocks. Truck came with plow package mainly stock rust free. Probably going to get Bilstein 4600s. I have a Meyer plow for personal use. I found a package deal on the four but needed to go to another seller for the quad auxiliary shock.
To run 4 front shocks, you want to find one valved about half as stiff. Bilstein may have some for that purpose. If you just get 4 stock replacement shocks, the front will be really stiff. Most here would advise to drop down to just one shock at each corner since a new 4600/5100 can easily dissipate more heat than a pair of 1980's twin tubes.
JOES89K5
1/2 ton status
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2008
- Posts
- 175
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- 16
I have been told by several different dealers that you get the shocks specified for your truck for a 4 shock setup then get the extra shock which is the auxiliary shock for the extra quad shock upfront. I dont think there is a different main shock for either way you go it’s just the additional auxiliary shock on quad system.
