Welcome to the Dodge Cummins Diesel Forum, the fastest growing Dodge Diesel Community on the internet.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us
Think Bilstein shocks would make for a more comfortable ride? I just bought my 07 Ram and the only thing I miss about my last Z71 4x4 5.3 is the ride and creature comfort's. My Z71 had Bilstein's and I see they are on sale buy 3 get the 4th one free. Also will it hurt to get the longer shocks I am doing a 2inch level kit up front and want to see about a 1 inch block for the rear. I would do a add-a-leaf on rear but I am sure it will make it a rougher ride. I could also buy Fabtec shocks if anyone thinks they are better ride. Thanks Don.
Bilstein 5100 will help out, Shocks that work the Best are Custom Valved to your driving style, Although Bilstein has a pretty good out of the Box Setup, Prob. way better than Fabtech Shoxs. You want longer shocks if doing leveling kit, better ride = softer springs, not shocks. Do a Search before posting, theres 100's of these topics already out there
__________________
[B]07 CTD Mega Cab, Smarty, AFE, AccuAir Air System, Suspended 2.5 KING By Don Juan Thuren, PattonFab Full bumper HID Sol Teks, Hid Solutions, 37" Toyo's
2010 TDI Jetta
Last edited by iceman7273; 04-25-2009 at 12:06 PM.
I have Bilstein 5100's all around and it made a big improvement in the ride, especially in the back. Not sure what kind or size of tires you're running, but you might want to run them a little lower so the soak up more of the bumps.
First of all, could you please let us know what kind of truck you have? 3/4 ton, 1-ton, dually or single rear wheel, etc? That information could go in your "signature" located under each post. Thanks.
As far as your question, I have an '03, 3500 SRW, 4X4 & installed a Lorenz Bilstein 5100 Suspension System which, included the proper shocks, new front springs, block extensions for the sway bar, rear spring pack that replaced the overload springs on the rear leafs. This is a 'balanced' system designed to work together. This 'might' be a better way to go than buying a lot of different parts & designing your own system. The engineering has already been done by the companies that build systems like the Lorenz.
I'm very happy with what I bought. I have speedbumps in my neighborhood. With the stock suspension, if i drove over the bumps at anything over 10 mph., I would bottm-out the front suspension. With the new system, I can easily go over the same bumps at 20 mph., maybe more, without bottoming-out. In fact, I have not bottomed out the suspension at all, in over a year of having it installed.
Lorenz, Carli, Kore, etc. have a full rear spring replacement, also. I believe they are about $700.00. They are supposed to REALLY improve the ride on the Dodge trucks. However, they are pricy.
Remember, your Z-71 was a half ton with an independent front suspension. Much more like a car suspension. The suspension you have, now, is much more heavy-duty. Therefore, not as comfortable. These suspensions are built to carry a lot of weight. If you load up the truck, it will ride better. Empty, they are rougher.
I have a friend that buys nothing but Chevy's, all the time. He hated the ride of my Dodges. Since I installed the new suspension (Lorenz), I took him for a ride on a rough, dirt road & he remarked how well the truck handled the rough terrain. He did not know I had done the suspension work. This guy is EXTREMELY fussy & would not have mentioned it if he had not been impressed.
I hope this information helps you with your decision. I would highly recommend that you get in touch with the companies I have mentioned & see what they have to offer. All these companies have numerouis suspensions to satisfy your driving needs, be they off-road racing or just a better suspension for the highway with an occasional excursion on dirt roads. There may be more of these companies than I have mentioned but, these are the ones I can think of, now. These companies don't just build a "Lift Kit" to jack your truck up. These are actual, functional, full race, on down, systems.
First of all, could you please let us know what kind of truck you have? 3/4 ton, 1-ton, dually or single rear wheel, etc? That information could go in your "signature" located under each post. Thanks.
As far as your question, I have an '03, 3500 SRW, 4X4 & installed a Lorenz Bilstein 5100 Suspension System which, included the proper shocks, new front springs, block extensions for the sway bar, rear spring pack that replaced the overload springs on the rear leafs. This is a 'balanced' system designed to work together. This 'might' be a better way to go than buying a lot of different parts & designing your own system. The engineering has already been done by the companies that build systems like the Lorenz.
I'm very happy with what I bought. I have speedbumps in my neighborhood. With the stock suspension, if i drove over the bumps at anything over 10 mph., I would bottm-out the front suspension. With the new system, I can easily go over the same bumps at 20 mph., maybe more, without bottoming-out. In fact, I have not bottomed out the suspension at all, in over a year of having it installed.
Lorenz, Carli, Kore, etc. have a full rear spring replacement, also. I believe they are about $700.00. They are supposed to REALLY improve the ride on the Dodge trucks. However, they are pricy.
Remember, your Z-71 was a half ton with an independent front suspension. Much more like a car suspension. The suspension you have, now, is much more heavy-duty. Therefore, not as comfortable. These suspensions are built to carry a lot of weight. If you load up the truck, it will ride better. Empty, they are rougher.
I have a friend that buys nothing but Chevy's, all the time. He hated the ride of my Dodges. Since I installed the new suspension (Lorenz), I took him for a ride on a rough, dirt road & he remarked how well the truck handled the rough terrain. He did not know I had done the suspension work. This guy is EXTREMELY fussy & would not have mentioned it if he had not been impressed.
I hope this information helps you with your decision. I would highly recommend that you get in touch with the companies I have mentioned & see what they have to offer. All these companies have numerouis suspensions to satisfy your driving needs, be they off-road racing or just a better suspension for the highway with an occasional excursion on dirt roads. There may be more of these companies than I have mentioned but, these are the ones I can think of, now. These companies don't just build a "Lift Kit" to jack your truck up. These are actual, functional, full race, on down, systems.
Joe
This is exactly what I will do, I love this truck and plan on keeping it for a very long time. I feel the money will be well spent. I apprciate your feed back. Don
One of the nice things about these websites is that you can get a lot of information about different products & the reasons people like one or the other. I've learned a lot reading on these sites & did not have to do a lot of 'trial & error' to get exactly what I wanted. Saved me lots of time, trouble & money.
With that in mind, I'm glad to share my experiences with others, when I can.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
