I just put the skyjacker d25 coils on the front and left the stock shocks on. I left the stock bumpstops on. If I measured correctly I can go with a shock that is 2" longer and still have 1 " left before the shock bottoms out when the suspension is bottomed out. The rear is stock. I have 285 bfg's. I have an '05 quad cab shortbed 4x4. The truck is mostly a daily driver, but do go desert racing once a month and use the truck as a chase truck for a class 7 unlimited. I also pull a 29' fifth with it. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

 

if you want to stay in the 'normal' price range, look at the Bilstein 5100 stuff. If you want the best, check out Carli or Kore. I really like this setup from Thuren: http://thurenfabrication.com/kingshocks.html

 

I installed Bilsteins on my truck 2 weeks ago - well worth the investment.

 

If you're going to be racing in the desert, I would definitely go with Bilstein 5100's or maybe even a remote reservoir shock like the Kings.

 

I would start by diching the D25 coils...WAY too stiff.

Spacers w/ OEM springs work better than those cheap springs...

Bilsteens if you want to spend a little...King's if you want to spend alot.

 

Thanks for the advice. From what i've been reading, the guys that have the spacers keep breaking the studs that hold them to the spring pocket resulting in all kinds of havoc. I am actually very happy with the springs and think the truck rides much better than stock. Definitely has more compression travel and won't bottom out on gutter crossings, potholes, freeway expansion joints,etc. Being that my truck hits more bumps than parking stops in the mall, I didn't want spacers. I thought they might coil bind when the axles articulate............I really wanted the carli or kore kit but didn't want to spend that much............

 

What can I expect to pay for the bilstein 5100s??????????? And diching is spelled ditching....................

 

I think they are in the neighborhood of $75 each.

I'd also look at getting a thurn trackbar.

If that is over or around 2 inches of lift up front why not some lift in the rear as well?

 

http://lorenzindustries.com/products_bilsteins.html

 

I need to keep the back where it's at. I tow a fifth wheel and i've already had to put a 4" lift on the trailer so it will fit level with the truck, and it sits level right now.... actually it is a 1/4 " higher in the back than the front...

 

Kings from ThureN!!!!

 

Studs breaking...hogwash. There is MINIMAL lateral load on the spacer...

I am not sure who the pavement queen comment is directed at...but I was just trying to help. The D25's are too stiff (look at the pitch of the spring), are made of lower quality steel than the stockers (so they won't last), are are not needed...you will not put the OEM spring with a spacer in coil bind.

Should have just saved the money for the shocks...IMHO.

 

the comment i made about the spacers wasn't directed at anyone... I thought that putting a new spring with increased height got me the added compression travel i was looking for. i have read that some guys who put the spacers on would rather installed the skyjacker or superlift springs. so far i'm happy with the ride quality of the spring both on and off road. if i offended, sorry, i just don't like to throw money away after it is spent. would have liked to put the kore or carli kit on but i'm on a small budget. didn't know about thuren at the time....

 

No worrie...get some Bilsteen 5100's and call it good...you will be most happy with that shock unless you want to spend 3x's as much.

 

Keep an eye on those springs. From the information I have gathered they tend to sag after a year or so, and maybe sooner on a truck that sees substantial time off road.

In the future, I suggest you contact Don Thuren for suspension related items. He really knows his stuff and his prices are right. And he's not all that far from you there in Chatsworth.