Rear Shocks for Silverado

[Mastercraftdave]

Looking to upgrade the rear shocks on my truck and was curious to see what everyone is using.



On my short list so far is Fox 2.0, Bilstein 5100, and the Rancho 9000.



Since I have a lift kit, the truck sits level now but I'm not liking the sag while towing. I thought about putting an air ride system but I'm not sure I will keep the truck long enough to justify the expense of an air ride system. So I figure better shocks would fit the bill.



While I'm doing this I plan on lifting the rear about an 1-inch with a set of the Ready lift Leaf kit.



If you have tried any of these shocks, I would like to get your take before making a purchase.

[MC25]

Why not do airbags? I like 5100s a lot, and have the Fox 2.0s on my buddy’s F250 and hAd them on my last F250. Both are great shocks. Rancho sucks.

[dmbeck]

I'll confirm what Aric said, I put a set of Rancho shocks on my old dmax and I wasn't impressed at all, after around 60k miles it felt like I was just riding on the springs again.

[lakedrum03]

Firestone or air ride technologies air bags for sure. They are awesome.

Agreed with Aric that Ranchos are not what they used to be.

[Mastercraftdave]

Why not do airbags? I like 5100s a lot, and have the Fox 2.0s on my buddy’s F250 and hAd them on my last F250. Both are great shocks. Rancho sucks.

By the time I buy the kit and get it installed around where I live its going to cost $2000 for parts and labor based on the few quotes that I have gotten. A three of the shops recommended new shocks with the air ride. Im just not sure how long I will keep this truck and it would be a pain to remove the kit. I would get any money for teh add on if I trade it in.

On my last trucks, the lifts all had a rake to them and when towing they would be level. So Im thinking if I can achieve that with this truck I will be alright.

Does Bilstein offer extended shock lengths for lifts? the most I saw online was about 1".

[MC25]

2000?!!!!!!!!!!!!


You said you don’t tow often. I would get a set of firestone airbags with the manual pump ability. No reason to get a full kit with a compressor.

[Ski-me]

Yes they should...might look at 5125's I think.

[stuartmcnair]

Bilstein...

[MC25]

The firestone kit is like $400 or less. And if you have basic hand tools and an hour or two, you can install it yourself.

[clrussell]

Shocks will morning make your truck sag less Dave. Unless they are a really high spring rate which in turn will ride like poo

[maniacmikes]

I had rancho 9000's on the F-250 and then I switched to bilistien 5100's and there was a great improvement in ride and feel of the truck. The ranchos lasted a long time, and they were not garbage, but just not as good as the bilistien.

I also installed an Air Lift Wireless one compressor and controller (I already had the air bags that you fill by hand) The air bag kit is like $400, the Air lift kit is like $250... and with both of those, and afternoon, and some basic hand tools, you will have suspension that you can adjust on the fly from the cab of the truck.

seriously an awesome combination, and one of the best upgrades I did to my truck.

[Forrest-X45]

I would recommend the Bilstein 5100 as well. I installed them on my truck years ago and they have been great. I custom ordered a longer set online since I have a leveling kit. They won't help with sag so you the ready lift add a leaf or air bags will help. The add a leaf install is much more difficult than air bags since you have take a part the spring pack. Air bags are easy to install like Aric mentioned and just run the manual valves out the rear license plate bolt holes. I have seen this done lots of times and what we did on my brother's 1500. I ran my through drilled holes on the bumper frame.
If you want a little more capacity look into supersprings. Super easy to install and offer a better ride depending on how you install them. I have run all three options and I prefer the ride of the supersprings. Less bounce than air bags under load.

[Mastercraftdave]

Thanks for the response guys. Im going to look into the air bags and installing myself, if its as easy as yall say, I may go that route.

[MC25]

Thanks for the response guys. Im going to look into the air bags and installing myself, if its as easy as yall say, I may go that route.

If 4wp sells it PM me first

[Mastercraftdave]

If 4wp sells it PM me first

Sounds good will do. Thanks!