Smooth Shocks

[SETXK5]

Guys,

I have an 1983 K5 Blazer with a 4" Superlift HD set of springs in the front and blocks and stocks in the rear. I currently have the low end Superlift shocks on it. It has a VERY ROUGH ride. I've gotten a spring quote from Alcan and have looked into replacing the suspension with one of the same lift height. When doing so I will definitely replace the shocks anyway. What I want to do first, however, is upgrade the shocks alone and see how much that helps. What do you guys recommend for a rig that is daily driven and on the pavement 98 percent of the time?

 

[badmix]

Ive got Rough Country 2" springs and Bilstein 5150s. I love the combo, perfect for street use, a tad soft for heavy off roading though, but works for me.

 

[rampage]

I'd do 4" tuff country springs and Bilstein 5150's. While you're at it put in some greaseable bushings all the way around.

 

[wheels87k5]

There are alot of different brands and styles that you will hear about....but I believe the cheapest is for the Ford Superduty shocks. I've read some reviews how great they are for the price. Not sure about the amount of lift....I'll see if I can find the thread.

Myself as well as others like the Bilsteins but they are not cheap.

Adam, aka Deuling, just spent a years salary on a set of Fox racing shocks....but I think it's because his wallet was too big for his skinny jeans.

Found the thread: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255835&highlight=super+duty

More: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283393&highlight=ford+shocks

 

[blazinzuk]

For a decently priced shock that does a great job you can't really beat the bilstiens either 5100s or 5150s

 

[ryoken]

Guys,

I have an 1983 K5 Blazer with a 4" Superlift HD set of springs in the front and blocks and stocks in the rear. I currently have the low end Superlift shocks on it. It has a VERY ROUGH ride. I've gotten a spring quote from Alcan and have looked into replacing the suspension with one of the same lift height. When doing so I will definitely replace the shocks anyway. What I want to do first, however, is upgrade the shocks alone and see how much that helps. What do you guys recommend for a rig that is daily driven and on the pavement 98 percent of the time?

it's your springs, not the shocks... don't expect much improvement no matter what shock you run till you get rid of the superlifts... but Bilstien's get my vote...

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

It is yer springs....

Yer shocks only dampen yer springs 10-30%, or something like that.
A shock's main job, is to hold the wheel toward the ground.

The spring rate is what's "stiff".

That said....
I ran the Bilstien 5100's in my K5/6" Skyjacker lift/10b/14bff/37's.
I can't speak highly enough of them!
They are an AWESOME shock, for the money!

I also currently run them on my '04 CC-Tundra/V8/6" RCD lift/35's.
5100's will go on every vehicle I own.

 

[Fred_M1010]

Stiff springs can be a lot better with quality shocks
I have really stiff springs in my Dodge, and earlier I had Skyjacker shocks (new ones)
It rode like crap, it was stiff AND bouncy
Now I have a set of Bilsteins installed and it's a big difference.
I know that the springs are stiff still, but it doesn't feel so stiff anymore since it controls the bounces MUCH better.

With the skyjacker shocks I avoided gravel roads as much as I could,
but now I don't have to care about it anymore

 

[Blue85]

Stiff springs can be a lot better with quality shocks
...
I know that the springs are stiff still, but it doesn't feel so stiff anymore since it controls the bounces MUCH better.

I agree with this. With a stiff spring it will never feel like an Escalade, but a good shock is the difference between a tight, controlled ride on a stiff spring and a jarring, bouncing ride on a stiff spring.

The Bilstein has way more valve area to let the oil move when it has to. If you were just rock-crawling at 2MPH it wouldn't matter, but hitting a bump at speed it really does. A monotube can also shed heat way better, but this is only a factor off road or on sustained washboards or something. For the occasional bump in the road it doesn't matter. They are "smart", while standard twin-tubes are "dumb".