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Replacing shocks on 2500HD, CC

vandave
Explorer
Explorer
I think I posted this on "towing" by mistakes. I am wanting to up grade my shocks on my 2500HD, CC (2012). I have 45,000 miles on the truck and tow 12,000 trailer that has a 1320lb tongue weight. Thank you for any suggestions or experience.
Vanda and Dave Ludwig (Vandave) Spoiled King Charles Spaniel, Ultra spoiled Cock-a-Poo
15 REPLIES 15

JN_B
Explorer
Explorer
I'd go 5100, that's what I had on my old 1500hd, drove great.
Had Rancho 9000XL, and they sucked, harsh ride, two were blown after 10,000km.
2014 Ford F-150 XLT, HD Payload, Max Trailer
2010 K-Z Spree 318BHS

wintersun
Explorer II
Explorer II
Bilstein 5100 shocks have the best reputation for use on heavy duty trucks. They work well and are not terribly expensive. Good aftermarket shocks should last the remainder of the truck's life. I have put over 170,000 miles on all my trucks and SUV's and never had to replace the shocks twice and I pay attention to them with 4WD trucks as bad front shocks result in cupping and faster tire wear.

Only factory shocks that lasted at all were the ones on my Toyota trucks that were good for 80,000 miles or more.

Brisk
Explorer II
Explorer II
Another vote for the Bilstein 5100 (silver body). I bought mine on Amazon for about $75ea
Brent('85) & Lindsay('86) DDs('08 &'11)

'14 RAM Laramie 3500SRW CCLB Cummins/4x4/68RFE
-B&W Turnover Ball/Anderson Ultimate Aluminum

Toyhauler-'06 Forest River Sierra Sport F32

2001 Malibu Sunsetter VLX Wakeboat

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
APT wrote:
I thought everyone buys the Blue and Yellow Bilstien 4600.


Yes that is the proper shock for pickup towing application. Mine are great still after 35K.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

mileshuff
Explorer
Explorer
5100's on mine. Much better than the stock Mopar shocks but thats all I have to compare with. Price difference between 4600 and 5100 was insignificant and most shops said most prefer the 5100's.
2014 Winnebago 26FWRKS 5th Wheel
2007.5 Dodge 2500 6.7L Diesel
2004 Dodge Durango Hemi 3.55 (Used to tow TT)

N-Trouble
Explorer
Explorer
5100s are more popular than the 4600s. You can go either way. I had 4600s on my last truck and 5100s on current truck. The 4600s are valved a little stiffer and are recommended for heavy towing. My current truck I use more as a daily driver and went with the 5100's.
2015 Attitude 28SAG w/slide
2012 GMC 2500HD SLT Duramax
B&W Turnover w/Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch

APT
Explorer
Explorer
I thought everyone buys the Blue and Yellow Bilstien 4600.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
vandave wrote:
Thanks!


Yep! Bilstien 5100 here also, not cheap, but very good shocks.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

N-Trouble
Explorer
Explorer
Well just about anything is better than the******factory shocks GM puts on these trucks... My advice is spend a little extra coin on the Bilstein 5100s. By far the most popular and praised shock over on the Dmax forum. One of the best upgrades I have done to my 2012. They ride awesome and will be the last set of shocks you'll ever have to put on the truck. May end up costing you less in the long run if you plan to keep the truck a while.
2015 Attitude 28SAG w/slide
2012 GMC 2500HD SLT Duramax
B&W Turnover w/Andersen Ultimate 5er hitch

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
I tried a couple of different brands before going to the Bils. The B's work the best by far and I think it's because they have better rebound dampening control than any of the others.

Charlie_D_
Explorer
Explorer
I went with the plain old Monroe's. Made a world of difference and not as pricey as the other. Found that my shocks were gone between 25000-30000 miles. I bet yours are worn out.
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Thank A Veteran
Native Texan
2013 Prime Time Crusader 330MKS
2018 Chevy 2500 D/A Z71 4x4 Offroad
2006 Holiday Rambler Savoy 33SKT-40,000 trouble free miles-retired
2006 Chevy 2500 D/A-retired
2013 Chevy 2500 D/A-retired

vandave
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks!
Vanda and Dave Ludwig (Vandave) Spoiled King Charles Spaniel, Ultra spoiled Cock-a-Poo

rwess
Explorer
Explorer
Put Bilstein's on my 2010 2500HD last year along with Michelin LTX's.
rwess
USN Ret.
2017 Open Range 216RBS
2010 Chevy 2500HD Z71 4x4 LT

azdryheat
Explorer
Explorer
Bilstein 5100's made a world of difference on my 2009 2500HD.
2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE