Bilstein Baby!

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Ok my LBZ Duramax has 75K on it now and since around 15K the factory Kmart shocks were junk. :M For those of you that own a truck like this you know what I mean. :M

Soooooooooo, I ordered a brand new set of Bilsteins from Eshock for it. They went on super easy because we don't have any rust problems out in Ca. I could have did all four in about 1/2 an hour if I used air wrenches but I was in no hurry so it took me about an hour. It was a super easy task for those who have never done them before and may want to attempt it.

After all four were on I took my truck for a lengthy 2 mile test drive. :B

My take on these shocks?

There is slightly more suspension chatter on very small bumps. In other words the new shocks are slightly more stiff on compression so on small washboard bumps it wants to lift the tires off of the road. You know that feeling when you drive over a very washboardy road? That is what it feels like.
Now this is very, very, very, very small effect and it may loosen up over time?

As far as rebound feel? It is a NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE! HUGE! Gone is the floaty feel or pogo stick rebound feel. All gone.

All in all the new Bilsteins give me a very slightly stiffer ride on small bumps and a way better very in command and control feeling all around.

I will see how these things feel after about a 5K vacation this year. 🙂 If you need new shocks for your truck I would recommend them. 🙂

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Just a little update on my shocks:

Ok, put 5,600 on my new shocks on vacation so I have a little better idea of how they feel now.

Not much difference on compression over the stock shocks. Maybe a little stiffer but not much. The factory got the compression about right IMHO.

The huge difference is in the rebound of the shock. The factory got this setting a mile off IMHO and this is where the Bilstein shines. When I first put the shocks on they were a little too stiff on the rebound which made my truck chatter on some rough roads.

Well, Scott was right. After a few days of towing my trailer the shocks mellowed out and are really nice now. All of the pogo stick GM ride is gone.

All in all I'm very happy with these shocks and I think they improved the ride a bunch on my truck both towing and solo. 🙂

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Thanks for letting me know they will wear in a bit. I figure they would.

Rick, at 70 grand for a new pickup you better put another coat of Z-bar on that truck of yours. :B

[PDX_Zs]

Totally agreed. I put bilsteins on my Expy along with larger sway bars and LT tires. And while it is not a race car, the handling and towing ability is significantly improved.

[45Ricochet]

Lets just say my northern fronts weren't that easy Bob :M Busted em off :M But I'm glad yours went well, must be that LBZ engine :B Cummins are bad that way :R

[ScottG]

The shocks will improve over time as the stiction caused by the grip of the seal on the machined parts wears a little. You will notice a difference in a couple of tank fulls of fuel.

[Colorado71]

I put a set on my 03' 5.9 LBQC 4x4. Small bump compliance improved a lot after a few weeks IIRC.

Mine were the 5100's, but my truck is not lifted, I just couldn't find the 4600's to fit my truck.

Speaking of suspension, I just spent $1300 to get the suspension custom valved on my KTM. 20-30mph over loose/embedded rock, where anything with four wheels is in 4 low. No more random kickback from the rear rock.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Yep, Cummins is correct. The Yellow/Blue ones. My truck is all stock and a 4X2. I found out they are the same shock on my truck as the 4X4.

[garry_owen]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Yellow and blue ones. B6

;)good one:)

[Cummins12V98]

Yellow and blue ones. B6

[GoPackGo]

Which Bilsteins ?