Anyone know the average life expectancy of factory shocks on a 2003 Ram 2500 extended cab short bed???

 

Until they don't work anymore! Just kidding, with it being an '03 I would definitely change them. Put some Bilsteins on them and be good to go. You will love the ride quality!

 

My stock shocks were still working great at 236K. Didn't notice a lot of improvement going from 236K stockers to Bilstein 5100's. Big bumps and high speed handling was improved, but low speed in town driving felt the same. Lets just say I wish I had bought some cheaper monroe's or left the stock ones alone.

 

different strokes for different folks OEM stock shocks on most of these dodge trucks , ARE already spent .... when truck is brand new !!

stock shocks seem very soft to me , very noticeable especially at higher speeds or with heavy loads , but some folks like trucks with a very soft ride.

I would think that Bilstein 5100's should be a huge improvement in performance & safety ?

BTW I may have the set of stock 06 HD 2500 4x4 shocks I took off my truck at about 345 miles when new laying around in a box in the garage ,

I will trade for your used bilstein 5100s....... ? ?

 

i have over 240,000 miles on my stock mopar shocks, and yes they are wore out, just waiting on extry cash to replace.

 

Hmmmm.... 240k on stock shocks!? Seems I'm jumping the gun thinking my oem's need replacing at just 80k! Bilstein's would be great but my god after checking the price tag on Bilstein's...WOW...not in this economy! Appreciate the input everyone.

 

if you have reservations about spending money on your rig this may not be the best place to visit

 

Ya different strokes for different folks for sure... I've never been one to go too crazy on aftermarket items unless the cost provided some proven benefit. As in the case of new shocks, im sure Bilsteins are great shocks, If there were some way I could test drive 2 identical trucks, one with a set of Bilsteins and the other with a set of oem's...I could then decide if the Bilsteins made enough difference to justify the cost.

 

At about 12K mine were completely gone. Bilsteins are the only shock I've installed that have actually lasted. I also go through steering stabelizers fairly fast but am not going to drop the huge bucks for a Fox or Bilstein. For the cost of those I can put one on per year of a "lesser" brand and they will last a year at least.

 

lol - since I'm getting such a large range (12k - 250k) regarding life expectancy, I'll pull the shocks soon as the winter weather breaks for warmer temps. I'll post the results.

 

OEM shocks are gone in 25k sometimes...maybe upwards of 80k if you are a pavement queen.

 

pavement queen

You should see the potholes from this year's snow fall here in my neck of the woods (hour west of chicago) ... they'd make most off road trails look like a landing strip.

 

Ended up replacing my stock shocks at about 65k I believe. They were pretty shot and getting the bilstiens really helped with the ride quality on road and off.

 

I replaced the OEM's with Skyjacker's at 22K...

They made a big difference in the way the truck rode.

I'll probably give Bilstein's a try when these are done.

 

Well, I never drove the truck really with the stock shocks, it went from dealer lot to shop to get jacked. I did drive for a few months with the superlift shocks...what a joke. Feathered my tires...on take off the front end would bounce. Not good and it would bounce on bumps like a slinky.

HUGE difference when the 5100's were installed. They also look real nice too