My rear shocks are shot. Ranch doesn't make a shock for my truck and so far I can't find Bilstein part numbers either. I'd prefer Bilstein because the RS9000s are too much trouble to constantly change the settings on when I use my camper or not, and I don't want an in-cab control.

So anyway, what I'm asking is this: Does Bilstein have shocks yet for a 03 3500 4x4? I went to their site and only found a "5100" series part number which is for a lifted suspension, so they say.

I already have Bilsteins on the front and love 'em.

Thanks!

Rob

 

RobG i'd suggest calling Kent at koreperformance.com . I know they equip a lot of trucks with 5100's and he will be able to tell you the difference between his and regular 5100's and/or if you need anything special to run them.

 

The 5100 series are the right ones for the 4x4.

 

I talked to Bilstein the other day and they do have some in development but it sounded like don't hold your breath. They are recomending the 5100's listed for the lifted trucks. If you actually read the foot notes for thoose shocks is says for trucks lifted 0"-2".

And I just got a set of the 5100's yesterday to put in my truck and try it, will be a day or 2 before I put them in.

 

I installed the 5100 series on my truck. They work great. I do have a leveling kit up front, but rear is stock height. Part numbers are 6647-H5 and 6681-5. Sorry, I can't remember which are rears, but you should be able to find the proper #. I know that some will say the fronts are not designed for diesel applications, but they work great.

 

RobG, I just went through the same ordeal a few weeks back. I have a 2003 4x4 Laramie, as stock as it can be. I ended up getting the yellow and blue 5xxx shocks from ebay (just Google it, you'll find it). It was by far the best deal out there, and they are for the higher gross wt trucks like our (I emailed the guy first to confirm).

I realize that Bilstein now lists the shocks for our trucks on their website, but because they're the same as for the 1500 series, I just couldn't rationalize that they would be a significant benefit with the higher gross wt of the diesel truck. And they cost more as well.

And now...the results...

Good shipping; product was as specified.

Install was no problem at all, after I noticed that the hidden front shock tower nuts were in plain open sight in the wheel well. ;-) duh! Rears were no problem at all -- one nut at the top and one at the bottom (don't cut the straps until you have one bolt in and have the shock aligned). No hidden surprises, and no more than two hours, including picking up the tools and washing my hands.

Did it make a difference? You bet it did. It's not drastic, but it clearly smoothed out the hard edges on all those creaks and cracks in the road. Handling seems to be about the same, or maybe a little better -- it's not a really noticable difference. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

 

Bilstein has had shocks for the truck for quite a while. The 5100 series is the shock for the truck. Footnotes of 0-2" lift in front, 0" lift in the rear. They are and have been available. I sell them for $___ each (don't wanna break the rules and post a price)


Yes, the 2500 trucks use the same shock as a lifted 1500 truck. What Bilstein does in cases like that is use the biggest truck for development to insure enough damping, and the "smaller" trucks get an automatic upgrade.

Note that 5100's are already valved more aggressively for heavier weight. And when looking at the HD version Bilstein does NOT show the same shock for a 1500 and a 2500. That's because the 1500 shock would lack the control we need.

Basically if you have a lifted 1500, you get a 2500 truck shock. It's not that a 2500 truck gets a lifted 1500 truck shock.

 

RobG,

Rancho does make shox for your truck. I have them on the rear and Bilsteins on the front. With the changing loads the rear sees it might be better to have the adjustables there, but you don't have to constantly change them anyway. Just find a setting you like and that's it. I had the Ranchos on the front for a while but they are hard to adjust up there inside the spring, back is a piece of cake and I want to be able to crank them up for heavy work. The Bilsteins work better than the Ranchos on the front. Smoother and still no noticable bottoming unless you hit real hard. Either brand is WAY better than stock.

Wetspirit

 

Well I put them on last night, kind of a pain but not bad.

As for the results yes they are some what better, but no night and day difference. I think you really only feel the difference on pot holes and maybe a real rough dirt road. Off road I am sure they would be better. But it seems on the standard old road that I can't tell alot of difference. Up here their are lots of frost heaves and such so good testing. I still get the nice "hoop" in the back when you hit bumps. It's a dually thing.

Over all yes it is better, but if you are looking to dramaticly smooth out your ride you are expecting too much, off road I think they would be great.

The whole things is that their is very little wheel travel in these truck, if the suspension isn't traveling the shock can't do a whole lot.

 

I emailed Sam for a price, since my previous vendor (Central4WD in Sacramento) has completely abandoned me since my contact there left. They ****** me off so bad I'll be making a public post about the whole thing, as I promised them I would do.

I'll also be posting for sale my pair of new-in-the-box Rancho RS9000Xs that are for a lifted truck... don't know part numbers or anything yet, but will find out and post in the Classifieds.

Thanks to all for the help!!

Rob

 

Did you e-mail me, or PM me? I haven't seen a PM, and I get about 100 work related mails a day I have to sort through, so it might take me a little bit (between the phone calls and all).

 

I am looking at some Rancho 9000's. I thought about some of the Bilstiens like you have just installed but want something that I can dial in. I know you said there were better but how would you describe the overall ride of your new shocks compared to what you had? (Stiff, soft, smooth etc.) My stock shocks are about gone and I get lots of bounce and body roll.

 

Sorry, Sam, should have been more specific... I actually put in for a price quote through your website.

Rob

 

No problem. I returned your message, and hopefully I can help you out with the shocks. I'm sure I'm quite price competitive, I always try to be. I can't guarantee the lowest prices but a very competitive ones.

Hopefully the combination of service, competitive pricing, support of this site, in addition to me actually *owning* one of the vehicles in question will give me the chance to help you guys out.

I'm the first to admit (and Rob knows) that I'm new here, but not new to the business. I've found that owning the car or truck in question is a great boon to my knowledge and ability to sell product based on real-world knowledge, not just what it says in a catalog.

 

I've known Sam (sorta) for a number of years because we're both autocrossers. Or at least I used to be. I "retired" (or at least took an extended leave of absense) a couple years back to pursue other interests (ATVing, snowmobiles, etc), whereas I think Sam is still in it. Plus we both have Camaros. Or rather, I used to... sold mine because I never drove it anymore.

Thanks a bunch for the price quote, Sam. I'll be in touch soon to place an order!

Rob