Best shocks

I use Fox BDS

Airlift airbags and Firestone Riderite for the front.

Thanks nofoolin for the cab mount tip!

I had a 2003 GMC 2500 with the duramax. I replaced the factory shocks within the first 10k miles with Bilstein 4600 and noticed a better ride as well as more control.

A second change that I made was to replace the rear only cab mounts as they were redesigned somewhere around 2006? These mounts will fit your 2002 and are worth the cost and effort. It took me less than an hour and were relatively inexpensive. Definitely worth doing. Good luck!

I use the pretty blue and yellow ones. I got my current truck with 14,000 miles on it, and it rode like the proverbial lumber wagon. While the ride is still stiff, it is much better.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

garyp4951 wrote:
Bilstein 5100 is what I use, and very satisfied. The 4600 are also very good.

Same shock, 4600 is for stock and 5100 is for stock and up to 2" lift.

And prettier :)

garyp4951 wrote:
Bilstein 5100 is what I use, and very satisfied. The 4600 are also very good.

Same shock, 4600 is for stock and 5100 is for stock and up to 2" lift.

Put Bills on at 100,000 and was about the same as OEM.
Next set will be MonoMax. Really liked the KYBs on my old Mustang.

Bilstein 4600 really helped our ride towing and solo.

Rancho 9000X adjustable shocks hands down as they are fully adjustable by the turn of a knob anytime desired (1 thru 9 shock dampening settings) on the shock to give the best ride and handling match for your tow vehicle and with what it's actually pulling, carrying, or with no load at all. So long proven to work the best as so many truck, SUV, van, and RV forums have shown in writing in their member's responses for years now! Can so easily have different shock dampening on the front vs rear if wanted or when needed.

Try that with other brand shocks. One shock dampening capability/setting is far from the best for all uses and/or needs like in the term claim that "one size fits all" and smarter people know just how wrong and misleading that is. Versatility and adjustability is where it's at!