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Suburban guys, shock selection...

COCHEV

COCHEV

1/2 ton status
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Jul 9, 2002
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Location
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I'm putting a 2.5" lift on my burb. Simple springs in front, blocks in rear setup. Its used for work and almost always full of tools. I'm noticing big price gaps. Any middle of the road suggestions? I don't think the blistiens fit the budget. Ones I've been looking at:

TC sx8000 - around 35 bucks a shock
Rancho rs 5000 around 65 bucks a shock

Everyone bags on the rancho 5000s saying they are stiff, but in a big heavy burb would they be so bad? Aren't they the same as buying Monroes HD gas shocks?

Any other suggestions?
 
i had rs5000s on mine and the front was too stiff IMO. my rears have always been in-boarded though so thats a little different. are some pro-comp adjustable ones out of the price range? two guys i work with use MX6 shocks and really like them, one on a '96 K3500 and one on an '04 dodge 2500.
 
COCHEV said:
Yeah I'm on that thread too...which is still a confusing thread with no definitive answers. Not sure how that would work with a smaller lift? Maybe I could spec those shocks in a shorter length?

However, when you look up rancho 5000s , they list one shock for 2.5-4" of lift...
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From what I have heard through the parts place rancho shocks for our trucks go 0-2" lift then 2.5-4".

I have a full set of barely used ranchos for sale in the suspension section. The rear are adjustable. I think the front was decent for on road. If I would have ditched the dual front setup I think it would have been fine off road.
 
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Subscribed. I had a set of edelbrock IAS shocks on my burb and it was way too soft. I put the rears up front also (quad shocks) and a set of KYB gas-adjust (or something like that) shocks on the rear and then it was good. Only recently i pulled the outer shocks off the front becasue they didnt fit quite right. Now its back to being too soft in the front. Im going to try the Rancho 5000's from the 78 swapped to the burb and see how i like them and put the burbs shocks on the pickup and see how i like them and go from there. The 5000s on the pickup are way too firm.
 
Also, dhcomp really likes his bilstiens. Somewhere on here he talks about them. Might send him a PM.
 
y5mgisi said:
Also, dhcomp really likes his bilstiens. Somewhere on here he talks about them. Might send him a PM.
Click to expand...


I ran the Bilstin 4600's. They freaking rocked. But, are stock replacement legnth only.

I added 1" add a leaf's, actually measured for shocks, and couldn't find a set of 4600's to fit :(

I ended up with the adjustable RS9000's. They are alright. Being able to adjust the front/rear has allowed me to pick what i want.

I like it to ride as stiff as i can tolerate, as i tend to drive it like I stole it :whistle:


And having the ability to soften them up for off road adventures is cool, but i rarely touch them. This thing gets off the pavement about once a year.....maybe.
 
I would like to firm up the ride - which should be too hard to do sense my current shocks are completely toast. I just don't want the jaw jarring harshness on like speed bumps or pot holes.

I think only having the 2.5" springs is also going to help with this as well.
 
So I'd like to keep this going. To update, I'm not lifting the burb at all and still need new shocks...

Kinda looking at Monroe sensa-tracs
 
only senseatracs Ive ran were right after they came out and I thought they were horrible. seemed great for a while then went bad in like 2 months. this was in like 98-99 though
 
COCHEV said:
So I'd like to keep this going. To update, I'm not lifting the burb at all and still need new shocks...

Kinda looking at Monroe sensa-tracs
Click to expand...


If stock height, go Bilstein HD's (4600's i think).

They were AMAZING on my burb. Wish i hadn't made changed that need longer shocks.
 
dhcomp's reviews of these shocks is what led me to get them for my sub (thanks for that, BTW). he's right, these shocks make the suburban seem like a whole new rig. my suburban spends a lot of time on roads from decent gravel to 4x4 trails and these shocks could be the best upgrade i've done yet.
 
I am on my third set of 5100 Bilstein with my Burb, every time I have lifted it I have to change them for more travel.They are so good I don't want to use anything else on the truck. I have the stock set and a 2.5 lift set if you would like, they have about 5,000 miles on each. PM me for details if interested.
 
Greg Ducato said:
I am on my third set of 5100 Bilstein with my Burb, every time I have lifted it I have to change them for more travel.They are so good I don't want to use anything else on the truck. I have the stock set and a 2.5 lift set if you would like, they have about 5,000 miles on each. PM me for details if interested.
Click to expand...

Not to disagree with anyone here, but i need to say this.

LOTS of guys here run the 5100's, and love them. Great off road shock.

That being said, i bought a pair, and didn't make it out of the driveway before i learned they were too soft for me. Returned them immediately.

I'm sure they perform excellent off road, but for a truck that spends a lot of time on the highway (and being driven like i stole it), they are WAY too soft for the street in my opinion.

Others will disagree, but that's fine.

If you want something for lots of highway use, save some $$$, and get the 4600's.
 
I need shocks for my 1988 V10. It has the dual shock option up front, and I want to use just the optional shock location. I also have a three pack of front springs with a zero rate and a Dana 60. The rear has 3" lift blocks. I want cheap. Suggestions?

Martin
 
Spend the coin, and get the Bilsetin 4600's. Really.

I've gone cheap...and it costs you 2x as much, after you buy cheap, and have to buy nicer to keep your sanity a month later.
 
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