OME, Bilstein or stock??

[alia176]

Just a quick reminder to everyone, "soft" and "hard" are totally subjective terms. So, please keep that in mind when you're wanting to order shocks/valve stacks/etc. Also, your tire sidewall plays a big factor in this equation.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program!

Ali

 

[Darwood]

So what are people using for mounts (JKS, Man-a-fre, custom) and did you do any drilling/mods to get them to work?

Also do the spherical bushings make alot of noise?

 

[alia176]

I'm using home made mounts, similar to what MAF has. It's not too difficult to make these things if you're motivated (and cheap like me) There were no drilling to the vehicle in order to use these stud-eye converters.

I haven't had any issues with the spherical bushings but the PO had one of them froze up on him. The shocks came from IL salt belt so that's understandable.

Ali

 

[Jason Andrews]

Just a quick reminder to everyone, "soft" and "hard" are totally subjective terms. So, please keep that in mind when you're wanting to order shocks/valve stacks/etc. Also, your tire sidewall plays a big factor in this equation.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program!

Ali

Are you trying to say that just because I have 15" rims I have more flex in my sidewall and thats what I am feeling as sway and not body roll?

JK! They are actually better than the 35bfg mt!

Very true tho Ali, I think roof racks and rear bumpers majorly contribute to the variance of ride performance opinions also. Especially when is comes to Rebound

 

[Grouseman]

The Bilsteins eliminate most of the issues when loaded down, but still don't stop the bottoming when you have 2-4 people and luggage in the truck. This is because the stock springs are simply to soft to handle much of a load.

All you have to do is install air bags in the coil springs in the rear. Air them up as needed depending on the trailer or loads. I bought mine from JC Whitney for around $100 bucks and there are GREAT......

SS

 

[alkaline747trio]

What is the verdict on the 5k series Billies, I've heard if you don't go with the 7k's, then they really aren't worth it.

 

[syrinxstar]

I put OEM shocks on my low-lift OME springs 3 years ago. Strictly a family truckster. I found my DS front shock leaking last month and decided to try the Bilsteins (B46-1477/8).

They felt a little too stiff at first but after a few hundred miles, they're absolutely perfect. So much less body roll turning any corner - they feel great. They've made driving the cruiser so much more enjoyable.

 

[Grouseman]

Thanks. I had read most of these before, but I did find some new insights (like always...) It seems like I saw a number of posts from you; what are you running now?

Thanks again--

kix

Kix,

Sorry I didn't see this post. I'm running Bilsteins and love them. No lift, but I'm using air bag lifts in the rear because I have a trailer on trips. Got 25 pounds of air in them and the rear is slightly higher than the front. Changes are great. Ride is improved. No problem in the curves. Great improvement. I tried OEM shock replacements first and didn't feel any improvement over the original shocks at 140K miles. Billys will take out that top heavy feel in the curves. They take out the sway.

SS