I have a 2007 chevy 2500HD classic CCSB 4x4. I am the original owner, and it is now at 112k on the original shocks. The truck still rides ok, but i'm sure new shocks would not be a bad move. I have it narrowed down to either the bilstein 5100's or FOX IFP shocks. Here's what I know about both of them. The bilstein's are not rebuildable, but they are good shocks from what i've heard online and from friends who have them. They are $360 shipped to my door for the set of 4. The FOX shocks are fully rebuildable, but more expensive and would probably give a better ride. The FOX's are $115 each. But, when it would come time to replace the bilstein's, the FOX's could be rebuilt. I welcome any opinions, as well as experience from folks that have tried one or the other. I hear the reputation for both companies is outstanding.

I put the Bilstein 5100's on my truck at about the same mileage on the stock shocks. While I could tell a difference, it wasn't as great of a difference as I had been lead to believe. If I were to do it again, I think I'd be inclined to try the Fox or Rancho 9000's, but then again they might not be any better.It's not that I am unhappy with them, but I was expecting something on order of "sliced bread" if you read all the posts about replacing your stockers with them. Bilsteins have a great reputation for longevity so they'll probably give me a good 80-100k, so I'm satisfied with my choice.Good Luck with your decision.

Thanks for your reply. I have sorta heard the same thing. "stock shocks are worn out after 10k miles, etc". I pulled one of them off for grins about 8 months ago. I pushed it down, and it still came right back up. The truck still rides about the same as when I bought it. My brother has the same truck as mine, only it's a 2004. He just replaced his with the cheapest thing on the shelf. He told me that it barely made a difference.

glamisorbust wrote:Thanks for your reply. I have sorta heard the same thing. "stock shocks are worn out after 10k miles, etc". I pulled one of them off for grins about 8 months ago. I pushed it down, and it still came right back up. The truck still rides about the same as when I bought it. My brother has the same truck as mine, only it's a 2004. He just replaced his with the cheapest thing on the shelf. He told me that it barely made a difference.Not sure that is a good test to determine whether a shock is good or not.

Do you have any other suggestions?

I put bills on my F150 at 100k thinking same as you. Could not tell the difference. Either oem is really good or the bills are weak IMO.I really liked the KYBs on my old Mustang.... next set on the truck will be Monomax.Honestly if it drives good and does not bounce, save your money shocks are fine.

Shock talk-Bilstein 5100's or FOX 2.0 IFP | Good Sam Community

N-Trouble
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
Bilstein 5100's will ride a bit softer than the 4600s. Something to consider...

Rancho build quality sucks these days. A lot of guys like the adjustability of the 9000s but they don't seem to last any longer than stock shocks. I have had good luck with Bilsteins
GeoBoy
Explorer
Oct 23, 2013
I put Bils 4600 in my truck and it rides and handles fine. They are guaranteed for life.
glamisorbust
Explorer II
Oct 23, 2013
I have no plans of ever getting rid of this truck. I will drive it until it will not drive anymore, or parts are not available. I love this truck, everything about it is exactly what I want. Just because something has high miles, does not mean it should be thrown in the crusher.
noteven
Explorer III
Oct 23, 2013
Hi rhagfo - long lasting OEM shocks made in Brazil! Oh dear...

the second picture looks like our winter vacation roads... cue Bachman Turner Overdrive: "Four wheel drive..."
rhagfo
Explorer III
Oct 23, 2013
fly-boy wrote:
rhagfo wrote:
fly-boy wrote:
With those kind of miles- guaranteed your shocks are shot! Guaranteed!

I have owned and run both the Bilstein and the Fox shocks. (I have Fox right now) I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Well my OEM shocks were still working for the truck and mostly working with 5er attached, about 2-1/2 to 3 cycles to settled (255,000 miles). Installed a full set of Bilstien 5100's and now just a bit harsher empty, and one cycle to settle with trailer.
I have also installed shocks on the 5er and this also helped the overall ride.

Wow- Those must have been magic shocks.

Shocked to say the least when I found the date stamp! (no pun intended)

I am still wayne_tw wrote:
glamisorbust wrote:
I have a 2007 chevy 2500HD classic CCSB 4x4. I am the original owner, and it is now at 112k on the original shocks.....I have it narrowed down to either the bilstein 5100's or FOX IFP shocks. Here's what I know about both of them. The bilstein's are not rebuildable.....

I am not sure rebuildable is an issue. If you get another 112k miles on this second set of shocks, your truck will then have 224k miles on it. Will you really own a truck that is 11 years old with a quarter of a million miles on it?

Just what is the issue with an 11 year old (really 12) truck with a quarter million miles (really 263,000)??

Still pulls an 11,000# 5er safely on roads like these!

It is all about maintenance and lucky to live in the NW.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Oct 22, 2013
I put Rancho 5000's on the front and 9000's on the rear years ago. Between setting the rears down to 1 and reducing inflation to 44-46 lbs in the rear when truck is empty, it rides half way decent. It I forget to turn down the shocks I know it fairly soon! If I forget to turn them up I also know that fairly soon. I do not think any non adjustable shock can do the same job on the rear.

Chris
pronstar
Explorer
Oct 22, 2013
With Fox shocks, it's all about the valving.
Off-the-shelf valving from Fox won't be great.

You can say the same about any custom shock, including Kings which I run.

A well-valved custom shock, mated to your application and combined with a custom spring, can be a huge improvement over stock...for both ride quality and performance.
noteven
Explorer III
Oct 22, 2013
I replaced the OEM shocks on our 2006 3500 at about 205,000km/128,000mi. with Rancho 9000. The stock shocks were seeping a tiny bit of oil past the seals. The R9000's were great, the adjustability made a nice difference in empty and loaded ride. They rode softer at setting 1 (nicer ride) and stiffer/more controlled at setting 9 when loaded. The Rancho's lasted 20,000km/12,500mi. I replaced them with Bilstein 4600. Ride and handling about the same as the Rancho at setting 9.

What I oughta done was measure up the shocks and go down to a heavy duty truck dealer and buy 4 hydraulic shocks off a class 8 rear air suspension and forget the gas charged shocks for heavily loaded 1 ton.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Oct 22, 2013
MrVan wrote:
glamisorbust wrote:
Thanks for your reply. I have sorta heard the same thing. "stock shocks are worn out after 10k miles, etc". I pulled one of them off for grins about 8 months ago. I pushed it down, and it still came right back up. The truck still rides about the same as when I bought it. My brother has the same truck as mine, only it's a 2004. He just replaced his with the cheapest thing on the shelf. He told me that it barely made a difference.

Not sure that is a good test to determine whether a shock is good or not.

Actually it IS how you test a shock... A good working shock should return to full length after being compressed. If it doesn't extend then its shot...

I replaced the stock shocks on my 2002 2500HD a few years ago at around 90K miles and 3 of the 4 shocks would not return to full length after compessing. Replaced the stock shocks with Bilstein 4600's and it was like a completly new truck. Much less body roll in the turns and no bouncing of the back end with trailer attached.
fly-boy
Explorer
Oct 22, 2013
rhagfo wrote:
fly-boy wrote:
With those kind of miles- guaranteed your shocks are shot! Guaranteed!

I have owned and run both the Bilstein and the Fox shocks. (I have Fox right now) I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Well my OEM shocks were still working for the truck and mostly working with 5er attached, about 2-1/2 to 3 cycles to settled (255,000 miles). Installed a full set of Bilstien 5100's and now just a bit harsher empty, and one cycle to settle with trailer.
I have also installed shocks on the 5er and this also helped the overall ride.

Wow- Those must have been magic shocks.