Need New Shocks

Wanted to post one more update on the Bilstein 4600 HD install; finally got out last weekend with full load and I can honestly say the new shocks are a great addition to the suspension system.
Rock/roll pretty much limited to 1 swing and then the truck just sits tight. Very nice feel.

To sum up our experience in building a better suspension system for our SRW truck and (heavy) TC;
* Tires/wheels. You must start here. If these are not up to capacity there is no point in going any further. This is a safety issue. Period. (Sufficient side wall tires will also minimize side "roll over")

* Supersprings. Straightforward, easy install, inexpensive, K-I-S-S.(Our GM truck has no top overloads. These are a great addition, minimize side2side rock/roll, and obviously help support the weight and eliminate sag)

* Bilstein 4600HD shocks. Firmed up the ride...very nice. No more harsh bumps, the whole suspension system seems firm/compliant.

* Big-Wig rear anti sway bar. Ties it all together so the components work as a system. (Our truck has OE front sway bar)

We started with airbags (last camper) and they were fine with the previous (lighter) camper. I never could seem to dial them in with the new (heavier) camper. I have minimal psi in them now-just to even side2side. Honestly they are pretty much along for the ride now. I would not add air bags if doing this again.

Every truck/camper is different. It took a few years for us to get to this point...but very pleased now. The rig handles nice and firm, driving experience is relaxed/competent.

Hope this helps.

Bill

p.s. Man I love this TC thing...every time we go out I am reminded of how kewl it is!

Late to the party as usual....I just installed 5100's on my truck. So far I'm impressed with the empty ride. Hopefully with my lighter camper (~2300lbs.) the 5100's will suffice, will find out soon. Had I read this thread, i might have gone with the 4600's.

Thread update.
Put the summer tires back on and mounted the new Bilstein 4600 HD's.

Boy am I p#ssed off.

I should have done this a long time ago!

Got the truck down off my Buddies lift and didn't drive a 1/4 mile before I could tell how much better the ride was.
Never realized how much the ride had degraded...one of those things that sneaks up on you over time.

Will load up the TC this weekend for spring skiing...looking forward to another season and new/improved ride!

Bill

billtex wrote:
I spoke with Bilstein yesterday. (1 Tech was useless, I called another number and got much better support…). I am running the truck in sig with 285 tires and SS in rear so I wasn’t sure if I should go with the 5100 (for lifted trucks) or the 4600 (for stock height trucks). Their recommendation after our discussion is to go with the 4600’s for carrying a TC. They did comment that the 4600’s are valved for heavier loads vs the 5100’s.

I can’t see the R9000’s being a good option in New England so will stick with a self adjusting mono-tube design. It came down to the BS4600 or KYB Mono-max. I think either would be fine, my research (of previous threads on various forums) indicates the Bilsteins probably have a slight edge…or at least a few more fan boys. Price is comparable.

That's funny. When I call a few years ago they suggested 5100's for my TC application. They do make 5100's for stock height trucks. Even the description of the 5100's sounds like they would work well for a TC application. They completely failed after the first dirt road I drove on with the TC on.

Billtex & BradW, thanks for the heads-up on salty winter roads doing such a bad number on the Rancho RS9000XL Adjuster Knobs: Thanks to your heads-up, as a preventive measure, I packed my adjuster knobs in grease on my new 9000's, and wrapped plastic around them on the rear (with the in-coil shocks in front was too hard to wrap some plastic around shock, so only grease packed in front).
I am very happy with the performance of my Rancho 9000's, adjuster knob position 5 on all, either empty or with some load (driven'm with about 1000 Lbs max so far, city/highway/dirt roads/ logging trails.
Still haven't driven with camper & Ranchos, will be setting rears on 9 for that, and evaluate from there.

Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:

Tizi wrote:

Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
I will be ordering myself the Rancho 9000's soon to get the Shocktober 4 for 3 deal. My factory shocks are pretty well shot and bouncy going down the road. A possible safety concern. My truck will probably ride very nicely with the TC on and the 9000's mounted. The truck empty will probably ride a bit more roughly but I am putting the 9000's on to handle the TC not to deliver a smooth cushy ride. If it is a simple process to adjust the 9000's then I may take advantage of that but if it requires unbolting and turning, I'll just set them for the TC and live with it.

I should be receiving mine today...4 for 3 deal, I paid $324 with free shipping. I will get 25% of that back!

Will these be easy for me to install myself on my Ram? What would it cost to have it done by like Les Schwab?

I'm with Bedlam on installation for my truck anyway. It looks like pretty easy access on my F-250. Not sure about your Dodge. A couple of old cars I had you had to rent a coil spring compressor to get the shocks out from inside the coil spring but I think your Dodge has Leaf springs so there should be nothing in the way to work on them. The rears should be easy. I bet your fronts will be easy too. If you don't think you want to mess with it, the Burien Les Schwab has done good work for both myself and my brother.
Let us know how you end up installing them.

Awesome, I will give it a try myself first...

Rear shock and adjustment


Front shock and adjustment

Tizi wrote:

Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
I will be ordering myself the Rancho 9000's soon to get the Shocktober 4 for 3 deal. My factory shocks are pretty well shot and bouncy going down the road. A possible safety concern. My truck will probably ride very nicely with the TC on and the 9000's mounted. The truck empty will probably ride a bit more roughly but I am putting the 9000's on to handle the TC not to deliver a smooth cushy ride. If it is a simple process to adjust the 9000's then I may take advantage of that but if it requires unbolting and turning, I'll just set them for the TC and live with it.

I should be receiving mine today...4 for 3 deal, I paid $324 with free shipping. I will get 25% of that back!

Will these be easy for me to install myself on my Ram? What would it cost to have it done by like Les Schwab?

I'm with Bedlam on installation for my truck anyway. It looks like pretty easy access on my F-250. Not sure about your Dodge. A couple of old cars I had you had to rent a coil spring compressor to get the shocks out from inside the coil spring but I think your Dodge has Leaf springs so there should be nothing in the way to work on them. The rears should be easy. I bet your fronts will be easy too. If you don't think you want to mess with it, the Burien Les Schwab has done good work for both myself and my brother.
Let us know how you end up installing them.

I did my own. On the rear, it's easier if you drop your spare. On the front, cut the wheels to each side for easier access. I had enough room to do the swap without jacking or pulling wheels on my 4wd Ford.

Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
I will be ordering myself the Rancho 9000's soon to get the Shocktober 4 for 3 deal. My factory shocks are pretty well shot and bouncy going down the road. A possible safety concern. My truck will probably ride very nicely with the TC on and the 9000's mounted. The truck empty will probably ride a bit more roughly but I am putting the 9000's on to handle the TC not to deliver a smooth cushy ride. If it is a simple process to adjust the 9000's then I may take advantage of that but if it requires unbolting and turning, I'll just set them for the TC and live with it.

I should be receiving mine today...4 for 3 deal, I paid $324 with free shipping. I will get 25% of that back!

Will these be easy for me to install myself on my Ram? What would it cost to have it done by like Les Schwab?