[cmartin]

Jase, I'll install a set for you, my friend, for only 25k. Such a deal!

Let me know what you think of them, I'm sure my truck could use some shocks too.

[kirkelliott1]

I've had Bilstein 5100 series on my 2000 Silverado for 4 years now and still going strong. Very pleased with their ride and the longevity. Just another opinion...

[Jase007]

Kirk:

Sounds like a nice shock ...

The 5100 Series offers traditional Bilstein technology with applications for lifted trucks, Jeeps and prerunners. Our 5100 Series shock absorbers are designed for specific manufactured lift kits utilizing the stock O.E.M. mounting configuration. 5100 Series shocks feature Bilstein's superior single tube high gas pressure design for the upmost in consistent fade-free performance and long life. Bilstein's patented Digressive self-adjusting valving delivers improved damping control and a smooth ride on all road surfaces at any speed.
Self-Adjusting Deflecting Disc Valving
High-Flow Piston Reduces Harshness
Independent Rebound & Compression Tuning
Larger Working Piston Area for Exact Damping
Superior Control for Large Diameter Tires

...but ...is designed for lifted vehicles. In my application ... would be OK to use if I lifted the '99 Suburban 3-6" in front and 1-3" in back Sorry, no plans to go higher .. now drop spindles and shackles for the leaf springs ... = low-rider

[cmartin]

Summit has a good price on the Bilsteins, at least for the 2500..

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294871536

[kirkelliott1]

Jase - good point. I did a lot of research when I had my truck leveled out, I wouldn't consider it lifted (well, maybe the front). I disliked the stock rake Chevy's had so I had 3/4-ton front keys installed which just raised the front to the same height as the rear. I could've gone the other direction and lowered the rear to the height of the front for the lowered look. I'd take a look at the bilsteins for stock height trucks, I'm almost positive they offer something.

[Jase007]

Chris: I've shopped around and summit has good Bilstein prices. Believe it or not ... performanceproducts4trucks.com [yes, the same performanceproducts.com company we use for P-cars with the worlds best bathroom reading catalog] has the best price on delivered Edelbrock IAS shocks. That's over JEGs, Summit, 4wheelonline, advance-auto [local], 4wheelparts, shox.com, etc... Also, don't know why but Bilstein offers rear sports [normal are F&R heavy duty] for the '92-'99 c/k trucks. Must be a "known" setup for hauling or perhaps dropped trucks [then why no sports for the F ...?]. Need to confirm if that is the case.

Kirk: I saw the F torsion bar [rancho makes a bigger one] and TB key upgrade but it looked to apply only if going up in height. I am trying to stay stock height ... which is why I installed the supersprings roller-shackle add a leaf in back. Works when loaded ... don't notice it when not. Reasonable too for ~$250 I also came across shocks designed specifically for those leveling the ride height on pick-em-ups. Fortunately, the 'burbans are level stock and only really need help for ~500 lb tongue weight [I pull enclosed trailer ~ 5,500 lbs]and a full tank [42 gallons x 6.5 = 273 lbs]

Also looking at Goodrich SS braided lines [the stock brakes really suck and I'm not dropping ~$1,400 on Baer rear drum to disc conversion] and either Addco or Hellwig sways [gotta see which I can mod to be adjustable ]. Should have stuff next week and the edelbrocks have a "try and return it if you don't like them" policy. I like that. Prolly pull the trigger on this today.

[cmartin]

Great info

shox.com has a better Bilstein price than Summit, but doesnt carry the exotic Edelbrock's.

020. Bilstein shocks 1988 - 1999 set of 4, Comfort series Free shipping 199.00
022. Bilstein shocks 1988 - 1999 set of 4, Heavy Duty series Free shipping 239.00
030. Koni shocks 1987 - 1999 set of 4, free shipping 319.20
040. Tokico shocks 1988 - 1999 set of 4 183.35

[Jase007]

Damn

You had me going with that Koni quote

Went back to shox.com and nope ... none for me.

Experience quotes:

I replaced the original shocks on my '99, 2500 Sub with Edelbrocks 4 months ago. Today, I really can't tell much of a difference between them and the originals in everyday driving. They had a snazzy ad for their shocks and I bit. About once a month I tow a 30ft travel trailer. They really have reduced the bouncing/pogoing at the rear of the Sub on the freeways. To me that was a pretty good improvement.

IAS are extremely firm until you hit a bump, and then the soft circuit activates. It sticks the tire to the road, soft in extension on bumps & firm in extension and compression during cornering. Take a speed bump with IAS and it's so slow it stays in firm mode. As you drive faster with IAS, say over 25 MPH, the ride smooths out considerably.
I'm no expert on Bilstein but my impression is they are stiffer than the IAS soft mode, and not as stiff as IAS firm mode.
HD's are not designed to reduce body roll like IAS.

on RS9000 Rancho adjustables:

... the 9000's are a great way to go. I have read some posts that the Edelbrock ISA's have leaked for a few people, that is why I chose Rancho. In fact, I tried both shocks and found the Rancho's worked better for my needs because I could control the rear depending on the load I was carrying.

I've had them on for the last 4 years. No mechanical problems. Single control tends to leak down overnight when ambient is colder than 60°F. Rancho says one setting decrease is normal.

I've had Rancho RS9000 shocks on my 94 Sub for the last 3 years. They are holding up very well and haven't leaked. I also installed the remote kit to adjust the shocks from the dash while driving. The fronts and rears can be adjusted seperately to "fine-tune" the handling. Every so often Rancho runs a "buy 3 get one free" deal. I got mine from Summit Racing for about $64 each plus about $100 for the remote adjust kit.

on sway bars:

The front stock sway bars are hollow, so they don't work nearly as well as the Hellwig bars. If you install the Hellwig or another aftermarket front sway bar, your Burb will corner much better and most of the lean and sway will be eliminated. Makes a big difference.

decisions ... decisions ...

[William Miller]

Originally Posted by Jase007

Works when loaded ... don't notice it when not. Reasonable too for ~$250 I also came across shocks designed specifically for those leveling the ride height on pick-em-ups. Fortunately, the 'burbans are level stock and only really need help for ~500 lb tongue weight [I pull enclosed trailer ~ 5,500 lbs]and a full tank [42 gallons x 6.5 = 273 lbs]

Does anyone still make / use air shocks?
I had them on my 1st car. 1970 Grand Prix
I pulled a boat with it and those worked really well for that.

If you ever feel like doing the front GM has a fairly wide selection of torsion bars too. I had a snow plow on one truck and that made it stiffer without raising height. Just like our p-cars!

[kirkelliott1]

.. which is why I installed the supersprings roller-shackle add a leaf in back. Works when loaded ... don't notice it when not. Reasonable too for ~$250

I installed the same on the rear of the truck,...was towing a camper around for a bit and always good go have the extra capacity. When empty, don't even know they are there.