Pitching, Rolling, and Bouncing

Mike's 2500HD · June 15, 2004

Hey everybody...it has been a while since I have visited. I just have a feww questions. I now have 33,000 miles on my 01 and it seems that the stock shocks are going out. Is this a common problem with these trucks? I didn't even realize until my friend said that the back end of my truck seemed to be all over the place whenever I hit a bump. I am going to go ahead and replace the shocks but, I have no idea which ones to go with? Does anybody have the Rancho RSX shocks and if so...how are they? I am not wanting to have to adjust my shocks all lot. It seems it would become a PITA. I am looking for a good self adjusting shock.

2) I was hauling 17 6"X8" sections of salt treated prefab fence sections this weekend and the rear end of the truck sagged 3-4 inches. This seemed a little odd to me because I didn't figure it would sag that much. Will replacing the shocks help with that at all?

Thanks,

mike

Shaners · June 15, 2004

Mike, The stock shocks are not really that good and since your truck is 3 years old, it doesn't surprise me that they may be going bad. The only other problem I could think you may have would be too much air in the rear tires. If you are running near the max 80 psi unloaded then I would expect your truck to skip around on the road.

I ran a set of Edelbrock IAS shocks on one of my trucks in the past and I was very impressed with them. Other people here have tried them though, and have had problems with them leaking. They have a good warranty and seem to do the job well. Another populer shock are the Bilsteins, so you may want to consider them too...

Machine · June 15, 2004

Hi Mike -

The stock shocks are adequate at best. I know you said that you may not want to put a set of adjustable shocks on your truck but I can't endorse the Rancho 9000 Adjustable Shocks enough. They make my HD ride like a different truck, and making adjustments takes less than a minute. I have a setting that I like when running around empty (6 in the front and 4 in the back), and another setting for when I'm pulling something (6 and 6). You really can tell a difference with only the slightest adjustments with these shocks.

As far as your arse bouncing around...well it could be tire pressure or just that these HD's are pretty stiff, and mine hops all over the place when I go over large bumps, rail road tracks, etc., too. The shocks and tire pressure will play a part in calming that down.

Mort · June 15, 2004

I ride with 80 psi in the rear and my truck bounces around quite a bit over the rough stuff but it seemed to do it when I had 45 psi in the back as well just not as harsh. The suspension on the rear is very stiff and the TP is high so it is bound to ride a little stiffly. I kind of figure if you get shocks strong enough to control it then it will just get stiffer still?

Anyway shocks will not control the sag you get when you add a load unless maybe for some type of air shock. Shocks are not springs but rather dampeners to control the oscilations of the springs as they react to changes in the road surface. So unless you bottom your shocks out, which should never happen with correct length shocks, they will not support a load but will compress as much as the springs do and remain at equilibrium.

Chevyfreek · June 15, 2004

Shocks will not help with and suspension sag from a load. The best thing to compenste for that would be air helpers springs. Make sure you are running 80psi in the rear if you are carrying a heavy load. The rear of the truck will drop a bit from just the tire saging from under-inflation. As far as shocks go, I installed a set of Edelbrocks on my 01' HD and they made a night and day difference over the factory junkers. The truck is more controlled now, but I would not say it rides softer. It is just more stable. The rear of these truck do ride a bit rough unloaded for sure. They are designed for carrying weight and that is why the truck will ride better loaded. I would suggest any of the above mentioned brands. Edelbrock, Rancho, and Bilsteins are all good products. My Edelbrocks have maybe close to 10,000mi on them and they are still working just fine. You can check my sig if you want to see some pics from the install....

juicy · June 16, 2004

<3 my 5150s from bilstein

http://www.bilstein.com/html/applications/.../5150/index.htm

totally different ride with them on.

Bigringgear · June 19, 2004

I had a "hobby horse"problem with my '98. I put a set of Pro Comp shocks under mine and it was like a different truck. Lower your air pressure for a smoother (not smooth) ride when not hauling a load.