Bilsteins

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My initial impression with the Billies was very positive... until I noticed the front shocks topping out when traversing railroad crossings and speed bumps. I've only had them on for a few days, and while they provide a very nice and controlled ride on the street, the topping out is not acceptable. I thought about letting Bilstein revalve them ($65 each) but I can't deal with the 3+ week turnaround time, and it still doesn't address the topping out issue.

Then... Slee to the rescue! OME's are on the way! Per Christo's recommendations, I went with the firm Nitrochargers.

As far as my setup goes... I have 865's in the rear, with the stock torsion bars adjusted for 1.25" of lift.
 
SupraTuRD said:
My initial impression with the Billies was very positive... until I noticed the front shocks topping out when traversing railroad crossings and speed bumps. I've only had them on for a few days, and while they provide a very nice and controlled ride on the street, the topping out is not acceptable. I thought about letting Bilstein revalve them ($65 each) but I can't deal with the 3+ week turnaround time, and it still doesn't address the topping out issue.

Then... Slee to the rescue! OME's are on the way! Per Christo's recommendations, I went with the firm Nitrochargers.

As far as my setup goes... I have 865's in the rear, with the stock torsion bars adjusted for 1.25" of lift.
Click to expand...

I'm running the same set up as you but haven't had this problem. $65 to revalve seems really steep. They only cost me $75 each unless you're not running the HDs.
 
SupraTuRD said:
My initial impression with the Billies was very positive... until I noticed the front shocks topping out when traversing railroad crossings and speed bumps. I've only had them on for a few days, and while they provide a very nice and controlled ride on the street, the topping out is not acceptable. I thought about letting Bilstein revalve them ($65 each) but I can't deal with the 3+ week turnaround time, and it still doesn't address the topping out issue.

Then... Slee to the rescue! OME's are on the way! Per Christo's recommendations, I went with the firm Nitrochargers.

As far as my setup goes... I have 865's in the rear, with the stock torsion bars adjusted for 1.25" of lift.
Click to expand...

I run 2.75" upfront. I have to try to top my shocks out. Plenty of droop for me.
 
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I wonder about how well the Bilsteins control the truck on washboard gravel roads. I regularly travel about 8 miles on very washboarded roads (sometimes much farther) and the OEM shocks (with 81,000 miles) are bouncing me sideways in the road at speeds over about 25 mph.
 
KlausVanWinkle said:
I'm running the same set up as you but haven't had this problem. $65 to revalve seems really steep. They only cost me $75 each unless you're not running the HDs.
Click to expand...

Yes, these are the 4600 series HD's that I picked up through Autozone.
 
2000UZJ said:
I run 2.75" upfront. I have to try to top my shocks out. Plenty of droop for me.
Click to expand...

Perhaps my truck has something else going on... what else in the front suspension could make the heavy thud noise as the suspension extends rapidly?
 
Sandroad said:
I wonder about how well the Bilsteins control the truck on washboard gravel roads. I regularly travel about 8 miles on very washboarded roads (sometimes much farther) and the OEM shocks (with 81,000 miles) are bouncing me sideways in the road at speeds over about 25 mph.
Click to expand...

I drove on tons of them yesterday at some speeds I probably shouldn't have... the Bils worked very very well. I never felt out of control. They take about 250 miles of break in to really start working.
 
SupraTuRD said:
Perhaps my truck has something else going on... what else in the front suspension could make the heavy thud noise as the suspension extends rapidly?
Click to expand...

Nothing that comes to mind. I have 866 in the back paired with 30MM spacers and no weight in the back. I have a hair over 3" of lift and my truck sits almost level. About a half inch of rake. Here is a photo, I know it's not measurements but you can gauge it
image-2675892191.webp
 
No, the torsion bars have not been re-indexed. I achieved the lift in the front with 6-turns of the adjustment bolt.

I'm wondering if one of the shocks is defective...
 
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