I tow a fairly large fifth wheel toyhauler and have been experiencing some pretty severe front to back "bucking" or "bouncing" as some would say. When I enter or exit a concrete bridge, for example, It bounces all over the place. When unloaded and not towing, this the rear axle has actually jumped off of the ground when driving over roadway bumps in a curve! I read the endless threads regarding which shocks to buy and finally decided on the Bilsteins. I wanted the 5100's, but the rep at www.offroadwarehouse.com agreed that they wouldn't fit on the front of a stock height truck and discouraged me from putting the leveling spacers on because of the heavy load that I am towing. He told me that the standard OEM replacement Bilstein shocks are specifially valved for MY vehicle and not universal like the others. FYI.. I do have Firestone air bags.

#1. Do you think that the stock shocks are crappy enough to allow the bucking to be this severe or is it something else (yes, my pinweight is heavy)?
#2. Will the standard (ugly) Bilstein's work for me as well as the 5100's would have?
#3. Will having the airbags on the rear affect how the new shocks will work?
#4. Any other suggestions???

Definately looking forward to the new shocks. I wanted to get 5100's for the rear since they are almost the exact same size, but the rep told me that the 5100's are not valved specifically for my 2500??? He said that they would work, he just suggested sticking with the OEM replacements. There are so many opinions out there, I just want info specific to my problem.

 

What are the part numbers? Did he give you the part numbers for the 5100's as well? I was told the same 5100 shocks fit all 4x4's from 1500's to 3500 DRW's. I just can't get a part number confirmation.

 

I definetly recomend the firestone airbags for towing

 

Just put the new ( Yellow) Bilsteins on my truck. It is a great improvement over stock. Bilstein just released the new front shocks, finally. Got mine from Shockwarehouse in Florida.

 

I'll let you know when I get them on Thursday. The tech seemed very knowledgeable about Bilstein shocks. Seemed to know what he was talking about. He did say that I could try to fit the 5100's on a stock height truck, but that they are not recommended for that application. I'm leaving town on Friday and didn't want to "try" anything. I think that they'll be a fair upgrade regardless. We'll see.

 

When I ordered my 5100's from Lorenz, he told me over the phone that the front shocks were for stock to 2 inch lifted trucks. I told him I had a leveling kit installed and he said perfect. They are sitting in the garage, so I cannot yet say how they ride. On another note, I have the stock shocks on w/ the leveling kit and a 300 pound bumper and I have zero death wobble. I take many back country paved roads around here with cattlegaurds built right on the corners in the road. I hit those cattlegaurds at 70 plus miles an hour all the time, while making a pretty good corner and the truck never even flinches. Just my experience, but mine feels great and safe as is. Hopefully I get a little more dampening out of the Bilsteins though.

 

I put my front ones on the other day. The lower mounting bolts are smaller then the holes on the shocks. So now I get a clunk when I go over bumps. So now I have to figure something out.

 

You might want to check out the Demco Glide Ride for your 5th wheel. From what I've heard, it would solve your problem.

I've also got a 5th wheel toyhauler and use Firestone air bags.

 

You sure you got the right ones?

 

Part numbers would help decifering this problem. I know that alot of websites are not updated for newer trucks, but some matching could be done possibly. The problem here is, one cannot check anything out without a number for comparison.

 

WOW!! What a difference. These things improve the ride substantially. Towing felt much better as well. Definately recommend these!

 

^^^^^^ X2 on that comment.

 

I've been reading about Bilstiens for a while are they better than Rancho 9000 I've had Rancho in the past and liked them but will go with the others if nyone has had both to compare? How much are they??

 

I paid $273 shipped to my door,

 

Thanks !!!