Bilstein vs Monroe shocks for F-53 chassis

John&Joey wrote:

Mike M2 wrote:
I think what J&J is not realizing is that when you add air to the bags it slightly raises the hieght of the MH and takes some of the weight off the springs. If the bags bring the MH up just an inch that's one more inch the springs need to travel before they are at the point of supporting the chassis on thier own. This alone takes that hard first hit we all feel when we hit a bridge joist away from the springs and puts it onto the softer riding bags.

You do understand that we are talking about Ford leaf's not GM springs.

If you read what I stated I noted that maybe by lifting the rig you gain more range of the shackle that was not fully functional. That then would be a covering up of a problem.

If the leaf does not bottom out, then I can not see the logic of your statements. I do agree if it was a chevy an airbag might help the spring rate though.

Mike M2 Hit the nail on the head, that is what the airbags did for me, just enough air about 30lbs raises the front end about 1 inch, than I am riding on air and not the hard leaf springs, worked great expect for hard bumps, so I installed softer Monroe shocks and now my ride is much softer than stock, it works...

Also note Bilstein shocks are 360psi charged and Monroe's are 60psi charged, the factory just had to hard of shocks and leaf spring for my RV..