shocks ?

[ray fischer]

On my 2005 Dodge 2500,when new, I added air bags and then the extra leaf in the spring pack a year later. The ride really stiffened. I have 101,000 miles & original shocks. I plan on keeping it for many years. Shocks don't leak, but would replacing them with a quality shock improve ride?

[WeBeFulltime]

Yes, new shocks improved mine at 50,000.

[Tom S.]

If you stiffened the ride by adding air bags and an extra spring, changing the shocks won't help unless the old shocks are worn out. Shocks dampen the bounce, but if you have too much air in the bags or the spring is too stiff, they will mitigate the shock's dampening action. Try dropping your air bag pressure to around 5 psi when not towing and drop the tire pressure to around 50 psi (if they are "E" rated) and see what it does for the ride. When towing, put the tire pressure back up to 70 - 80 lbs (depending on your pin weight) and air the bags up just enough to bring the truck back up close to level. If the loaded ride is still too harsh, try reducing the air bags by 10 lbs to see if it helps.

[ray fischer]

The ride is smooth while towing. Solo I keep the air bags a 7 PSI & only need 25 when towing. I raise rear tires to 80 towing & 60 solo. Will dropping to 50 work better. When I added the extra leaf I should have gone with the overload spring instead, but the cost was double or more.

[jimcol]

Ray, I, like Dave, replaced mine at 50K. Went with Bilsteins. Great improvement at first but with about 27k on the Bilsteins the ride is certainly not like it was when they were new. With the price of those shocks I was hoping for a little more longevity. Jim

[DTIEDEMAN]

My opinion I replace shocks every 25k. I can always tell the difference when I make the change.

[sambam]

I don't know about Dodge, but the GM oem shocks aren't that good, I don't think. I replaced mine with Bilstein. This is my 3rd Silverado and all have had Bilsteins. They've worked well for me. I don't have air bags or any other mods so maybe the difference for you wouldn't be that noticeable.

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by sambam

I don't know about Dodge, but the GM oem shocks aren't that good, I don't think. I replaced mine with Bilstein. This is my 3rd Silverado and all have had Bilsteins. They've worked well for me. I don't have air bags or any other mods so maybe the difference for you wouldn't be that noticeable.

If you order the GM Z71 package, it includes Bilstein shocks.

[Bigsky3625RE]

I just replaced my shocks on our 2012 Silverado. They were gas but couldn't tell the make. We have 27K miles and when I took the fronts of and compressed them they didn't budge. They stayed compressed.

I went with the Bilstein 4600 based on what the rep. said. Haven't towed yet but the ride is much better.

[MrRobinGrimes]

Blisten's were to pricey for me at about $100ea. Based on mechanic's recommendation I put on Monroe Gas Magnum's ($45ea). Mechanic told me to stay away from Rancho shocks, he's seen to many problems with them on the fleet trucks he supports. I have 131K and the old shocks looked factory original. And just like the previous poster, when I compressed them they didn't recover. So they were very worn out. The Monroe shocks did smooth out the rough ride quite a bit.

[Bigsky3625RE]

Got the 4600's from Eshocks for $74.00 each. The 5100's around $100.00

[ray fischer]

Thanks for all the replies. Going shopping tomorrow for shocks.