I put a set of Bilstein's on my '88 K-3500 4 X 4 and have been pleasantly surprised by the firm yet not uncomfortable ride they present. My truck feels more like it used to when it was new. I tow a 30' 5th wheel travel trailer sometimes and then I really notice a real positive change in handling.
The advertising for Edelbrock is very tempting, good roll control without giving up ride quality. With a 3/4T truck I don't need a stiffer ride when empty so I'm leary about the Bilsteins. Do you believe Edelbrock?
Here we have two shocks under consideration, Bilstein and Edelbrock.
And we have two characteristics most owners will be looking for. Better ride. Better control.
One owner wants firmer control when towing and hauling, so he chooses Bilstein.
Another owner wants a more compliant ride in his daily driver, so he also chooses Bilstein.
Other owners likewise choose Edelbrock for the same reasons.
The point is, we really don't have many choices. Many of us will choose one or the other, looking for exactly the opposite characteristic that another is buying the same shock for.
Quad - does it have to be so complicated ? I just want a different color underneath so the cat has something different to look at when taking naps in the driveway . . .
As soon as the Bilsteins are on the market, count me in for "yellow". (only 5 more days left on the Edelbrock rebate . . .)
The concept of the Edelbrock is the inertial valve. Basically, you have a firm controlled ride until you hit something sharp. Then the inertial valve comes off its seat to allow more oil to flow through the passage. That's how things should be.
The Bilstein valving I think is less complex. The difference is in the execution. I owned Bilsteins before, and it was the longest lasting, best shock ever, but was stiff.
Does anyone know the diameter of the Edelbrock or Bilstein. The stock Z85 is 36 mm, the Z71 is 46 mm. If a Bilstein was any smaller than the Z71 spec, the question I would have is for its durability over the life of the shock. I would have the same question for the Edelbrock also.
The shocks are not yet available for the new Silverado's/Sierra's; but they are supposed to be available on the 1st of Sept. I already have mine on order and the will be shipped from Bilstein as soon as they are available.
Just found out the HD/trailering Bilsteins are in stock and available for 2wd, '99 GM's.
Front BE5-2902 Rear BE5-2903
Also - has anyone looked into the Rancho RSX series stuff yet - sounds like an Edelbrock clone; "smart" inertial valve thing - not available for 2wd GM's until Dec '99
I wish I could get a camper package, Chevy doesn't offer one. They don't offer a rear sway bar either, the only one of the Big 3 that doesn't. Hard to understand. So the Z71 comes with a rear bar? I'm buying a 2500 so can't get Z71 but I wish I could get the bar. Guess I'm going to buy a Helwig.
I'm interested to hear how the Helwig works out. Would you please let us know how it fits, how easy it was to install, and did it change the ride quality??? I'll order one too if you like it!
The sway bar is scheduled to ship 9-2 (yesterday). So I should have it around the 10th and I could install it that weekend. About a week later I will report on it.
For carrying a slide-in camper, I've heard lots of good things about the Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks from people who haul slide-in campers regularly. They have five adjustment settings. When you are running empty without the camper, you set the shocks on level one. With the camper on, most people appear to put the shocks on Level 4 for the front and 5 for the back. The feedback is that the affect on the ride when running empty is not significant.
If you're carrying a slide-in truck camper on a 3/4 ton truck camper, you're probably getting some pretty significant rear end squatting. Better shocks will help with some of the sway, but they are not likely to help lift the rear end. With the rear end sitting back, you're not going to have the best handling since the truck was not built to drive that way. There are other safety issues such as braking. If you're getting a significant squat, you may want to look into airbags aka airlifts to level the truck out. They are pretty common on trucks that haul slide-in campers, especially if you don't have a dually.
You can find some additional info on shocks and air bags for towing at www.happycampers.net. Go into the Chat area and you can search by a topic.
Did you notice those Bilsteins increasing the ride height because of they are nitrogen charged? Wondered about that, since Edelbrocks have neat valving, but not nitrogen.
I've said this before, but it's a case of new concept for the Edel vs fine execution for the Bilstein. Love to hear from some one with the Edels too.
Has anyone bought the edelbrocks? What is the best price paid? Have their been any comparisons done in any of the mags? My Bronco has quads up front and I want to be sure I am getting my $s worth, as expensive as the edelbrocks are.
How do the tennecos compare to the Bilsteins? BTW, I have corrected many sales staff who still thought the silvarados had Bilsteins. The look on their face when you tell them is priceless.
I thought the Tenneco were a little too soft, so I bought a set of Bilsteins. I find them a little firmer, but not much. The ride in the rough is better with the Bilsteins.
I've got a small camper on my truck, and I am right at 6500lbs vs. GVWR of 6400lbs. So I am harder on shocks than most people.
I put 16,000 miles on the Tenneco's and they are not bad. The Bilsteins are just a little better for a fully loaded truck.
My Tenneco Z71 shocks seem to be holding up fairly well after 15,900 miles. One thing I don't like about the Edelbrocks, no nitrogen gas chamber. But then the Bilstein doesn't have the inertial valve of the Edelbrock, while it does have the nitrogen.
I wonder if you wouldn't get the best of both worlds by putting the Edelbrocks on the front, for the best ride, and the Bilsteins on the rear, for the best load control?
would different brands and type of shocks on the same vehicle cause handling problems? I had thought of the same idea myself but worried about mixing. Aren't Tenneco the same as Monroe? Still taking a ddeepp breath befor buying 6 shocks for my Bronco.
Has anyone out there replaced their shocks on a 2wd? I have a GMC with "solid smooth ride". Feels more like a '72 Cadilac than a truck. Also, what about Rancho 5000's. They seem to be a little cheaper.
17 year old shocks? Yes, Rancho 5000's are cheap. Get some Edlebrock's you won't regret it. Not sure if they make it for the 72 Caddy though. Good luck!
Comments
Bilsteins will help with leaning, or at least in swaying back and forth. However, you will get more help from a rear anti-sway bar.
Hellwig has a bar and you can buy it many places, including JC Whitney.
And we have two characteristics most owners will be looking for. Better ride. Better control.
One owner wants firmer control when towing and hauling, so he chooses Bilstein.
Another owner wants a more compliant ride in his daily driver, so he also chooses Bilstein.
Other owners likewise choose Edelbrock for the same reasons.
The point is, we really don't have many choices. Many of us will choose one or the other, looking for exactly the opposite characteristic that another is buying the same shock for.
As soon as the Bilsteins are on the market, count me in for "yellow". (only 5 more days left on the Edelbrock rebate . . .)
The Bilstein valving I think is less complex. The difference is in the execution. I owned Bilsteins before, and it was the longest lasting, best shock ever, but was stiff.
Does anyone know the diameter of the Edelbrock or Bilstein. The stock Z85 is 36 mm, the Z71 is 46 mm. If a Bilstein was any smaller than the Z71 spec, the question I would have is for its durability over the life of the shock. I would have the same question for the Edelbrock also.
website: http://www.bilstein.com/index2.html
The shocks are not yet available for the new Silverado's/Sierra's; but they are supposed to be available on the 1st of Sept. I already have mine on order and the will be shipped from Bilstein as soon as they are available.
Mike
I would guess they also have shocks for 2wd but I never asked about them.
In another 1-2 weeks I should have my shocks and then I can find out if the Bilsteins are worth the money or not.
Mike
Front BE5-2902
Rear BE5-2903
Also - has anyone looked into the Rancho RSX series stuff yet - sounds like an Edelbrock clone; "smart" inertial valve thing - not available for 2wd GM's until Dec '99
I ordered a Hellwig from JC Whitney. $135 + 15 s/h.
Should be here next week.
Mike
Mike
If you're carrying a slide-in truck camper on a 3/4 ton truck camper, you're probably getting some pretty significant rear end squatting. Better shocks will help with some of the sway, but they are not likely to help lift the rear end. With the rear end sitting back, you're not going to have the best handling since the truck was not built to drive that way. There are other safety issues such as braking. If you're getting a significant squat, you may want to look into airbags aka airlifts to level the truck out. They are pretty common on trucks that haul slide-in campers, especially if you don't have a dually.
You can find some additional info on shocks and air bags for towing at www.happycampers.net. Go into the Chat area and you can search by a topic.
They are not harsh, but have good control. The control is better than the Z71 shocks I took off.
And they are currently $50-60. Much better than the Edelbrocks.
Mike
I've said this before, but it's a case of new concept for the Edel vs fine execution for the Bilstein. Love to hear from some one with the Edels too.
About the ride height?
Mike
Eric16
Mike
Mark
I've got a small camper on my truck, and I am right at 6500lbs vs. GVWR of 6400lbs. So I am harder on shocks than most people.
I put 16,000 miles on the Tenneco's and they are not bad. The Bilsteins are just a little better for a fully loaded truck.
Mike
I wonder if you wouldn't get the best of both worlds by putting the Edelbrocks on the front, for the best ride, and the Bilsteins on the rear, for the best load control?
Aren't Tenneco the same as Monroe?
Still taking a ddeepp breath befor buying 6 shocks for my Bronco.
I would like to know how they ride on the new Silverado?
Better off road manners for the Belsteins.
Around $60 ea.
Mike
this topic is being "frozen." It will be archived or deleted in the next 10 days or so.
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