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Shocks

Blue Mist '97

Blue Mist '97

Active member
What shocks are you running on your truck?

I am going to replace the shocks on my 09 GMC 2500 (no lift kit) soon and would like some more opinions on the brand that you like and why. I also pull about 5500-6000 lbs with the boat/trailer loaded.

Lots of people like the Bilsteins, Ranchos and KYB. Monroe got a few nods. Here are the brands I have been looking at. If you know of others, please let me know.

1. Monroe Reflex – what’s to say, Monroe has been around forever
2. Bilstein 4600 or 5100 – lots of good reviews about these and pretty reasonable.
3. Rancho 9000XL – some good but a lot of poor reviews and product problems
4. Fox 2.0 – nice but pretty pricey
5. Kings – same as Fox
6. ProComp 9000 – not much info
7. KYB Monomax - some good reviews and reasonable

Right now, I am not sure which brand I want. Is there really that much difference in shocks nowadays? If your truck isn't lifted or a performance or off road truck, does it really matter?
 
I have the 5100's in my truck. They ride quite a bit stiffer than the stock ones ever did. Also, whatever that silver coating is that's on them turns to crap the first time they get road salt on them. I used to run Skyjacker Softrides on my Wranglers and was very happy with them.
 
KYB Monomax.......I used to run them on my Duramax and it was fantastic even when pulling 20k trailer. When I was a mechanic, those were the "good" ones we sold. Love them and very reasonable priced. I hear the Edelbrock's are nice too. On a tow rig with no lift, I would just stick with the easily available KYB's.

I put the Monroe equivalent of the Monomax on my F250 diesel work truck. Made a big improvement over stock ones but it still rides like crap because, well, it is a Ford F250 and always will. Can't polish a turd or put perfume on a pig.

I tend to beat the snot out of shocks on my personal trucks when I go to the sand dunes. Ive pulled apart plenty of stock shocks but never broke a KYB. I like to keep it simple with big monotubes. All of that reflexive multitube crap just means when working the shock hard, the fluid gets hotter by going through all that valving. Eventually on my Avalanche I will end up with Fox or Edelbrock reservoir monotubes. But on a pavement pounder, that is not needed at all.

On my 2500 Avalanche, I will be running the ones that came with the new lift kit which are Trailmaster SSV twin tubes auto valving....never ran them so I have no idea how they will do. Like I said, generally not what I would have picked so we will see.

I used to run the Skyjacker Nitro 8000 shocks on my lifted Dodge 1500. They were a twin tube and seemed to do just fine, but I also ran a dual shock system so that lessens the strain significantly by itself
 
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I know this is gonna be a dumb question, but is there a mechanical or towing advantage when you put a lift kit on your truck? I have have always thought (old school) the only reason it was done was for the "cool" factor. I have never noticed my truck "squatting" in the rear with the boat on it, so I don't know if it would be worth the time and expense to put a lift kit on.

I agree that the 2500's will never ride smooth and comfortable, but then they aren't supposed to. I wouldn't mind a little stiffer ride, but I don't want to get beat up driving it around.

Also, in looking at Bilstein shocks, what's the difference in the 4600 and the 5100? The 5100 info states it's for lifted applications, but it does show 0-1" lift. Will the 5100's work on a standard application?

Thanks for the info so far. When I was working on cars/trucks, we only had regular and heavy duty shocks. A big spender would spring for air shocks occasionally and gasmatic shocks were just starting to hit the market. You were a big time guy if you had Monroe on your ride.

So much more technology today. Man, it's hell to get old....
 
If just a towing rig, i wouldnt lift it more than a front leveling kit which is all personal preference. Most lift kits now dont change rear springs just add a lift block. The add a leaf kits do make the rear stiffer for towing. The load you pull should be very comfortable with a 2500 unless you heap the bed with camping gear and coolers. Add that to the trailer tounge weight and you may want rear air bags. They are adjustable and can be deflated if not towing for comfy ride. Air bags also have some shock absorber qualities too. If you arent squatting, then i wouldnt worry a bit about changing suspension components unless you like lifted trucks.
 
The Bilstein 5100 is very popular for lifted and off roading and has adjustments for 1,2or 21/2" lifted trucks . In my opinion the closer to stock ride height the better for towing especially heavy loads the better. I am putting a 3" lift on my 2013 Ram this weekend for a new set of wheels and tires. I will regret it just like all my other lifts I have had but a stock 1/2 ton truck just dont turn me on . I will keep this truck for several years and want to enjoy it as a toy also. Lifted trucks are cool but you will immediately notice a loss in fuel economy with a gas motor. I always have ran dual rancho s on all my off road Jeeps in the past with great success but for street I would use Bilsteins but have not had much experience with Monroe.
 
for towing drop it. it make for a lower center of gravity and makes it more stable. if you lift it will get top heavy. I had a friend that put a 6 inch lift on an avalanche and it was terrible after. the rear would sag with the same load and trailer that it did not sag with at factory height.
 
I have 218,000 miles on my 2005 ram 1500 quad cab and still have the factory shocks.
I've done a lot of local heavy hauling (mini excavators, skid steers) and three long haul trips to buy boats
in Missouri, Illinois and Michigan. I dont know who makes the shocks i have but the truck still rides like new.
 
Bilstien 4600- the only shock I'll ever buy for my trucks.

Man, what a difference they made on my 4wd.. if I didn't just instal a set of monroe magnums a year or two ago on my 2wd it'd have a set too.

I got a set of 5100s for a first gen dodge I have here doing some work to it. They don't make the 4600s for that truck:/ Guess we'll see how they do on it.
 
atc250r said:
What'd yours go on Brian? Mine went on a 2nd Gen Dodge.
Click to expand...

Mine went on my 2008 gmc 1500 4x4 with a big lift. It was a huge difference IMO. Truck rode great for how big it was. I had bilstein 5100 struts and shocks.
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Few More Questions

First, thanks for all your comments. I have looked at all these different shocks and I am leaning toward the KYB. Second choice right now (first choice if I had a lifted truck) would be the Bilsteins.

Original factory shocks may be somewhat better now, but in my limited experience, I have found that the original equipment shocks generally need to be replaced early on, as they just go away. 46K miles is much longer than I like to have the original shocks on the truck.

Now Steering Stabilizers/Dampers

I have also looked extensively and haven't found much info on steering stabilizers/dampers for the 2009 GMC/Chevy 2500HD. Whether it comes with one or the owner just installs one if needed. I don't feel any bump steer problems, but was curious.

Evidently, some model years come from factory with them and then other year models do not.

Is the steering damper mainly for lifted or off road vehicles?

Am going out to look today, but does anyone know off hand if the 2009 has one installed from the factory?

I am not having any steering issues, so would a new or replacement damper tighten up the steering?

Does anyone have a part number that will fit for any of the below brands?

I have checked Rancho, KYB, Bilsteins and Monroe. Rancho (RS5411) and Monroe (SC2963) are supposed to fit. KYB cross refs the Monroe SC2963 to KYB SS10318 as a direct change fit, but when I look the KYB number up, it says that it won't fit my application. Bilstein doesn't show a number for a stabilizer for the 2009, at least that I have found.

Sometimes I over think these things, so should I address this or is it basically a non issue for a straight up stock 2009 GMC 2500HD?

Any info appreciated.
 
Blue Mist '97 said:
First, thanks for all your comments. I have looked at all these different shocks and I am leaning toward the KYB. Second choice right now (first choice if I had a lifted truck) would be the Bilsteins.

Original factory shocks may be somewhat better now, but in my limited experience, I have found that the original equipment shocks generally need to be replaced early on, as they just go away. 46K miles is much longer than I like to have the original shocks on the truck.

Now Steering Stabilizers/Dampers

I have also looked extensively and haven't found much info on steering stabilizers/dampers for the 2009 GMC/Chevy 2500HD. Whether it comes with one or the owner just installs one if needed. I don't feel any bump steer problems, but was curious.

Evidently, some model years come from factory with them and then other year models do not.

Is the steering damper mainly for lifted or off road vehicles?

Am going out to look today, but does anyone know off hand if the 2009 has one installed from the factory?

I am not having any steering issues, so would a new or replacement damper tighten up the steering?

Does anyone have a part number that will fit for any of the below brands?

I have checked Rancho, KYB, Bilsteins and Monroe. Rancho (RS5411) and Monroe (SC2963) are supposed to fit. KYB cross refs the Monroe SC2963 to KYB SS10318 as a direct change fit, but when I look the KYB number up, it says that it won't fit my application. Bilstein doesn't show a number for a stabilizer for the 2009, at least that I have found.

Sometimes I over think these things, so should I address this or is it basically a non issue for a straight up stock 2009 GMC 2500HD?

Any info appreciated.
Click to expand...

From what I understand, stock chevy 2500 do not come with steering stabilizers but have mounting places for one. I know this is the case on my 03 2500 avalanche and i plan to add one. When it is windy, my front end does get blown around easily and it is very annoying. Stabilizer would eliminate this. More than likely exaserbated by the torision bar leveling keys.
 
Well, after the last post, I went out and took a look. I was somewhat surprised, as it appears the 09 2500 does have a stabilizer on it. It's under the front plastic skid cover and right in front of the steel plate. Whether it needs to be replaced or not, I don't have a clue, yet. It looks to be in good shape, but so do the shocks. It doesn't look complicated to remove, so I may give it a try and see if it's still good.

Heck, if I can find the right one, I will probably go ahead and replace it anyway. Cost for most of the other KYB stabilizers is around $35-$50, so that may be a good fix and take away any worries down the road.
 
I tend to find that stock stabilizers are on the wimpy side....especially if you upsize the wheels and tires at all. I find factory shocks to be whimpy also......but i beat the crap out of trucks and live around some of the worst roads in the country.
 
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