Rear shocks

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

Which Bilstien is recommended for the RAM 3500 dually with factory air bags??

Double pump!!

[klassic]

I just put Bilstein 4600’s on my 2017 F350 last week

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by klassic

I just put Bilstein 4600’s on my 2017 F350 last week

How do you like them? I get my 46/5100 combo in the mail this week. Do the install yourself?

[klassic]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

How do you like them? I get my 46/5100 combo in the mail this week. Do the install yourself?

I can’t compare them to anything but the stock “Rancho” stamped shocks.
But I no longer skid sideways over the garbage parts of my road. I was always ready for it before. Stays straight now.
Pulling my 5ver was noticeably smoother.
I would have got the 5100’s, but I have no interest in adjusting the clickers, and I would forget all the time too. Plus I never go off road.

They were a breeze to install. With the band still attached the rears fit exactly hole to hole. Thought that was lucky.
I don’t really like the colour of the 4600.

[mass-hole]

Originally Posted by klassic

I can’t compare them to anything but the stock “Rancho” stamped shocks.
But I no longer skid sideways over the garbage parts of my road. I was always ready for it before. Stays straight now.
Pulling my 5ver was noticeably smoother.
I would have got the 5100’s, but I have no interest in adjusting the clickers, and I would forget all the time too. Plus I never go off road.

They were a breeze to install. With the band still attached the rears fit exactly hole to hole. Thought that was lucky.
I don’t really like the colour of the 4600.

Ford is terrible at rear shocks. My f150 shocks were scary on mid corner bumps

[JeremiahM]

After doing much more reading on multiple other forums, the general consensus actually leads away from Bilsteins and into Rancho 9000s, most are reporting if adjusted right they give best ride quality. If empty they adjust down to the 2-4 range, a d up to 9 for when loaded. And almost all who have had both Bilstein and FOX, everyone reports that FOX was a superior ride. I personally had the Bilstein 5100s on my last rig, they were definitely an improvement over the stock ford shocks, my 17 350 DRW has the just standard FX4 Rancho stamped shocks, these are nothing to write home about, but truck does ride better than my 06 with the 5100s. I'm definitely gonna give the 9000s a try. I know most on this forum have lots of experience, but it really does seem to be tipping away from Bilsteins now outside this group.

[Jay2504]

Just to let everyone know, both rear 4600s are on order and the parts store is doing an inquiry about the front. Supposed to be here next week. I’ll report back how good or bad they work. Jay

[The Lil' Abner]

Take a look at a full set of Bilstein 5100 series, you won't be disappointed.

[Rock]

Call Bilstein. My truck (last truck 06 Dodge 3500) they recommended 4600 with my air bags and leaf springs. Said those were better to control bounce on concrete road joints.
Rock

[TxLoser]

I installed a set today on my Chevy 3500 SRW. 5100’s in the rear and 4600’s up front. Best way I can describe the ride now is more compliant. Making a turn over a sharp change in pavement for example isn’t jarring, and the back doesn’t feel like it’s popping up. Definitely an improvement on rougher surfaces. Railroad tracks felt much better.

My previous shocks were still good I believe, but very different from these. I race RC cars and build my shocks dead which is with zero rebound. That’s how my stock shocks were. I compressed them once off the truck and for three hours they never uncompressed. That’s at 25K miles. The bilsteins definitely have some rebound built in.

[klassic]

Sorry, way off topic.
TxLoser, here’s my race builds.

[Rock]

Every truck and RV are different and different set ups. Calling the shock company and telling them what u have is great. They explained a bunch to me about how to set truck up with air bags PSI and effect on shocks. I always set with my TR and FW
to get truck to where it was before hook up. They said stay at min 1 inch lower than before hook up for shocks to work the best. So I dropped PSI and that one inch made a difference. With new truck it does it’s own thing but when time comes for shocks I will call the experts again.

[Rock]

Klassic,
Been a Petty fan since 1967. Finally gave up my Daytona Petty grandstand tickets to stay up at my Keene camp. That is cool pictures.
Rock

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by klassic

Sorry, way off topic.
TxLoser, here’s my race builds.

Awesome. More off topic. This and a Tekno Eb48.2. Now back to our regular programming.

[mass-hole]

Originally Posted by JeremiahM

After doing much more reading on multiple other forums, the general consensus actually leads away from Bilsteins and into Rancho 9000s, most are reporting if adjusted right they give best ride quality. If empty they adjust down to the 2-4 range, a d up to 9 for when loaded. And almost all who have had both Bilstein and FOX, everyone reports that FOX was a superior ride. I personally had the Bilstein 5100s on my last rig, they were definitely an improvement over the stock ford shocks, my 17 350 DRW has the just standard FX4 Rancho stamped shocks, these are nothing to write home about, but truck does ride better than my 06 with the 5100s. I'm definitely gonna give the 9000s a try. I know most on this forum have lots of experience, but it really does seem to be tipping away from Bilsteins now outside this group.

Bilsteins are digressive shocks, meaning they ramp up really fast and are stiffer at low speed/smaller bumps and taper of as the bumps get larger. This means the are better for on road handling and “g-outs”, but tend to be a little stiffer on small bumps.

Fox are progressive meaning they start soft and ramp up as the bumps get bigger/harder. This means they will be a lot plusher on small bumps but also are soggier in the handling department.

[curver900]

Originally Posted by JeremiahM

After doing much more reading on multiple other forums, the general consensus actually leads away from Bilsteins and into Rancho 9000s, most are reporting if adjusted right they give best ride quality. If empty they adjust down to the 2-4 range, a d up to 9 for when loaded. And almost all who have had both Bilstein and FOX, everyone reports that FOX was a superior ride. I personally had the Bilstein 5100s on my last rig, they were definitely an improvement over the stock ford shocks, my 17 350 DRW has the just standard FX4 Rancho stamped shocks, these are nothing to write home about, but truck does ride better than my 06 with the 5100s. I'm definitely gonna give the 9000s a try. I know most on this forum have lots of experience, but it really does seem to be tipping away from Bilsteins now outside this group.

if you live up north the clickers quit working after 2 winters... loved them but they didn't hold up and the clickers aren't warrantied...

[Jay2504]

Got the 4600s on the rear of the 2014 Silverado 4 days ago. A big improvement in ride quality. Next I am going to do the front shocks. It’s a much harder job than the rears on this suspension. When I ordered the rears I was told there were no front ones to be had. I guess I will have to wait or choose another brand. Jay

[TxLoser]

Glad to hear you like them. I’m still really enjoying mine. Still noticeable after a couple weeks. My are mismatched due to supply stuff. 5100 rear and 4600 front. Same stuff though.

[AKRUEBBE]

I just received 4600's for the rear. Haven't had chance to install them yet. Will let you know if there is a difference

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

I just received 4600's for the rear. Haven't had chance to install them yet. Will let you know if there is a difference

Al, do you have the factory rear air suspension? I was looking for new shocks, but can't seem to find any other than OEM that will fit.