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Switching from Dual Ranchos to Single Bilstein 5100 Shocks

1975Jimmy

1975Jimmy

1/2 ton status
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Last week I decided i was fed up with getting thrown out of my seat every time i hit a minor bump and decided to undertake a minor suspension change. When I bought my truck two years ago, it came with an 80s Rugged Trail lift kit already installed with dual shocks on all four corners. The shocks were still the Rugged Trail Nitro Cell shocks, so I ended up swapping them out for all new ProComp replacements (still two shocks per corner). Well, the ProComp shocks sucked to say the least. They did very little to manage the weight of the truck, even when doubled up.

The 4Wheel Parts warehouse in Compton, CA was having a big sale this past weekend, so I went and picked up some Bilstein 5125s for the front and 5100s for the rear. But instead of doubling them up, I put in just one shock per corner to see how it felt. DAMN! What a difference! The truck actually feels smooth but still stiff because of the leaf springs. The ride isn't jarring and it absorbs bumps and whoops better than I could have imagined. Highway driving was most impacted, even with BFG AT tires at 30 PSI, I can't feel the imperfections of the road.

Installing them was a bit of a chore because you can't just compress them to the length needed to get the bolts through, they are pressurized BIG TIME! I had to use a ratcheting strap to keep them compressed long enough to thread the bolts through the bushings. Still not difficult though. Had all old shocks out and new ones installed in about 2 hours.

So, my reason for posting this. Any of you with a 4-6" lift that wants a better ride on and off-road, I don't think you can go wrong with these shocks. They are a little spendy, but I feel damn good about the investment.

Part Numbers:
Front: 33-185590
Rear: 33-104645

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Did your truck originally have quad shocks? I'm just curious because mine does so I was wondering which Bilstein shocks to go with my own self. Thanks for posting!!
 
rpcraft said:
Did your truck originally have quad shocks? I'm just curious because mine does so I was wondering which Bilstein shocks to go with my own self. Thanks for posting!!
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I didn't have the OE quad shock setup, but the aftermarket bolt on kit. If your truck has the OE Quad shock setup, two of these on each corner would be overkill, and unless they were valved differently it wouldn't make much sense. Personally, I would ditch the factory quad shock setup and just install one of these on each corner in the factory location for the standard single shock setup locations. Shock technology has come along way since our trucks were new.
 
Yeah I already ditched the quad shocks in the trash when I took all the body parts off in prep for shoeing in the LS, lol.
 
I have been thinking of doing the same thing on my 90,getting rid of the factory quad set and doing one bilstein on each corner
 
snowdriver said:
I have been thinking of doing the same thing on my 90,getting rid of the factory quad set and doing one bilstein on each corner
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You won't regret it. I've noticed a bunch of positive little things now that it's been a week since i installed them. One of which being that a lot of the annoying interior rattle noises have disappeared. The dampening is so good and the truck is so smooth that the rattles are mostly gone.
 
Modern shocks are sooooo much better than when our trucks were made. One good shock per corner is plenty.
 
That's good to hear. I was debating on keeping the factory dual shock setup on my 89. I have always had good luck with bilstein shocks in the past.
 
Yep and for what it costs to buy two ofsomething brand name on the front you can have the best.

I've had three rigs (4 if you count the wife's ride) with bilstiens. Won't do anything else.
 
Will those billsteins work for a stock 83 with no lift?
 
1975Jimmy said:
Personally, I would ditch the factory quad shock setup and just install one of these on each corner in the factory location for the standard single shock setup locations. Shock technology has come along way since our trucks were new.
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I agree, except use the auxiliary upper shock mount on the front if you have a factory quad shock setup. It allows for a longer, more vertical shock. I recommend this to everyone who has quad shocks.

Martin
 
1975Jimmy said:
You won't regret it. I've noticed a bunch of positive little things now that it's been a week since i installed them. One of which being that a lot of the annoying interior rattle noises have disappeared. The dampening is so good and the truck is so smooth that the rattles are mostly gone.
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Was this done on your stock springs? I'm about to install a 4" all new leaf lift with Billstiens. I hope it rides as nice and people like your self are talking about.
 
82355 said:
I agree, except use the auxiliary upper shock mount on the front if you have a factory quad shock setup. It allows for a longer, more vertical shock. I recommend this to everyone who has quad shocks.

Martin
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Yes yes do this. It is a longer shock and provides more droop.

My dual shocks on my dead stock burb work pretty well.

Although I will switch em out eventually for a single
 
Tony Vickers said:
Was this done on your stock springs? I'm about to install a 4" all new leaf lift with Billstiens. I hope it rides as nice and people like your self are talking about.
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No, not on stock springs. Mine has a 4" lift front and back with fairly stiff springs. But, yes the ride has changed night and day. I love it.
 
What all of the above said. I have the same setup, was quad, used the ford shock tower from ORD and bilsteins. I did the crossover and don't miss the sway bar at all, rides firm but not harsh at all. I think the rsf vs 4" spring lift in the rear helps give a softer ride.

My k5 on tons rides better than any lifted jeep I've been in imo.
 
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