Shocks and ride height?

mkirsch wrote:
Think about it: If shocks affected ride height, they would not sell lift kits.

And at the same time when that packaging is released the gas shocks seem to expand with quite a bit of force. Maybe it just seems that way because to re-compress the thing is very difficult. Probably the valving creates this illusion.

Agree...shocks are NOT designed to be springs that lift the vehicle and carry weight

Personal experience had my FJ40 lifted with air shocks and out in the Idaho Panhandle camping in my secret place...had one burst and had to crawl back to pavement that took about 3 days, when it normally took a bit less than a day...

Have also broken regular HD shocks...where their eye welded to the shock body let loose

There is a tiny lift if they are gas filled, but that is, as mentioned, to mange foaming of the shock fluid

Adjustable height on a shock....means that the 'Z' height is adjustable, but not anything to do with spring lifting of weight



Currently have KYB MonoMax's and like them.

Edelbrock IAS's were better for my kind of driving, but they leaked, so no more for me. Loved them but hated their valving for small bumps and pot holes.

Yet another question and ask 10 to get 11 opinions...whatever works for your driving style/terrain/vehicle. Find an advisor who has similar driving style and expectations...

ScottG wrote:
No, neither of those shocks will change ride height. The 5100's are for lifted vehicles. They do not lift the vehicle themselves.

Scott, the 5100's are for trucks with 0 to 2" lift, and have been great for several of my trucks.

ScottG wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
The Bilsteins have very high gas pressure so they will lift the truck a tiny amount.

They wont lift it at all. First, the stock shocks are probably gas charged as well. Secondly, the pressure doesn't lift. it simply keeps the oil from aerating.
Install a set, drive around for a day or two and measure ride height. It will not have changed.

My OEM shocks had very little pressure, no they were not worn. The Bilsteins had serious pressure requiring nearly all my strength to push each one up and on the mount. If you ever lifted on a bumper you would know that you can raise the vehicle a bit, now multiply that times four. Just stating a simple fact, accept it or not. Note that I did say "a tiny amount."

There’s LOTS of ignorance on this thread. The 5100s WILL adjust your ride height.

Description
Lea en español
Bilstein's ride height adjustable 5100 Series replacement shocks for coil-over design front suspension pickups utilize the vehicle's existing stock coil spring.

The 5100 Series (Ride Height Adjustable) shocks feature multiple snap-ring grooves on the body of the shock to accommodate different spring seat positions, allowing height adjustments from 0" to 2.5", depending on the application. By raising the spring seat position, the factory rake can be altered to achieve a level front to rear ride height while accommodating up to 33" diameter tires.

Bilstein's patented digressive self-adjusting valving delivers improved damping control and a smooth ride on all road surfaces at any speed.

Zinc-plated bodies
Self-adjusting deflecting disc valving
High-flow piston reduces harshness
Independent rebound & Compression Tuning
Larger Working Piston Area for Exact Damping
Superior Control for Large Diameter Tires

I guess it comes down to semantics. The 5100 shock by itself does not change the ride height if you install the spring at the OEM seat level. What the 5100 will do is allow you to change the seat height of the coil-over which changes the ride height.

So, technically, the shock absorber does provide a mechanism to adjust the ride height even though the shock absorbing mechanism internal to the shock will not change ride height by itself.

I’m still a little confused how both a long and short shock are interchangeable on my truck but thanks for the replies.

Hi SD,
Look at this. It’s the link specific for my truck, and it’s easy enough to look at the shock for your truck:
Link

Good luck!

ShinerBock wrote:

ScottG wrote:
No, neither of those shocks will change ride height. The 5100's are for lifted vehicles. They do not lift the vehicle themselves.

This.

Shocks do not carry weight and only absorb/dampen quick suspension fluctuations therefore they do not effect ride height. Springs/coils carry the weight of the vehicle and do effect ride height. You buy different shock lengths depending on the height of your truck, not to make it higher.

Not!
5100’s are for stock to 2” lift, I run 5100’s on my unlifted 2001 Ram and they work great!