Ordering my suspension... Finally

[my1stcummins]

So after 3 years of putting up with a stock suspension I am finally going to make a move and try to improve the ride of my Ram.

After many nights of looking over the webernet, I have decided that I am going to go with Thuren front springs and Minipack as well as the HD trackbar, and end links.

The only thing that I can't decide right now is what shocks to use. Thruen has his 2.0 Fox's, but I am not sure if I need that much shock. I have been toying with the idea of the Bilstein 5100's(which are used on the Carli Starter kit).

Anyone have any personal experience with either? Right now I am leaning towards the 5100's for cost, but if the Fox's are really that awesome, I will spring for them or the Bilstein 5160's. I just hate to waste money on something that I really won't utilize. I don't need to do dirt roads at 80mph I just want to improve the street ride and not lose my fillings when going down the backroads and trails.

 

[Rovertrader]

The Bilsteins on the PW do a great job IMHO, and I have the Thuren links/steering/track bar setup w/ 37s

 

[Regcabguy]

The beauty of Don's Fox 2.0's is the reservoir which keeps them cool and his custom valving. I had Bilstein's on my 98.5,which were overwhelmed when I got my popup. The trucks are heavy and 2.0's give you the option of revalving in the event you decide to throw a camper on there in the future or tow heavy.

The labor of replacing the Bilsteins in the future will kill any resale value you receive. Realistically,the $750 difference in price minus the potential labor cost in the future upgrading the Bilsteins makes it less painful to go with the 2.0's now.

 

[TreeTopFlyer]

I have 5150s on my excursion. Singles were fine until I added another couple hundred pounds of front bumper. I need to do doubles up front after the bumper. Not sure on the cost to revalve, but having that option may be worth the extra money in the long run. My truck is back to feeling like Uncle Bucks car, it rocks a little too much. I had to buy two more shocks and mount brackets so I could take some of the float out. Which is about another 3-400 bucks. Just something to think about if you change things up down the road. Try to make your suspension expandable if you can, i.e. get the Fox stuff if you can. Buy once, cry once. :ylsmoke:

 

[goodtimes]

If you have to cut corners on a suspension - do it on the springs, not the shocks.

If you have to wait a few months while you save up more $$$ to buy the good shocks, then do yourself a favor and wait a few months.

 

[htek]

I'm no shock guru, so maybe I am WAY off... but I am a little amazed by the everyones opinions.

I have no doubt that the Fox's are a better shock... but HOW much better? Also, I don't know the specifics of your truck, or how you intend to use it... but I am assuming it see's a bunch of street time with the occasional off-road romp.

Seriously, do you really need a shock that was designed for pre-running and racing applications? According to Fox's own website on the 2.0 Emulsion Shock: Designed specifically for pre-runners, "limited classes", and recreation vehicles.

And since when is a Bilstein 5100 "cutting corners" on your average lifted dodge that isn't chasing, pre-running, or crawling on a regular basis? Again, I am making a lot of assumptions about your intended use... but I think that so many people get caught up in having "the best" that they disregard the fact that in many cases a cheaper option will meet or exceed there expectations 99% of the time.

If your worried about a little bit of shock fade, or even having custom valving done to make your truck perform at it's absolute best - then you have more money than I do and are certainly running your truck much harder than I am off-road. But I suspect you are like most of us... and with few exceptions, I doubt most of us could even tell the difference between the two while behind the wheel in MOST cases.

Again, I'm in no way qualified to speak intelligently about shock selection... so take my rambling for what they are worth, but I am guessing that a fox 2.0 is probably overkill.

-jm

 

[ExpoMike]

I am completely with you on trying to decide. I have been looking at the Carli systems and called and talked to Shawn there. I explained my plans to put a FWC Grandby on the back of my Ram 2500 and was looking at the difference between the kit with the Bilstein 5100's or 7100's. Shawn said that with a heavy truck already and then loading 1500-2000 lbs. in the back, I would likely have fading issues with either one and recommended going to the Fox 2.5 or Bilstein 9100's systems.

I can see where he is going with this but since almost all their work has been with the "pre-running" crowd, I don't think they have any real world experience with the pop up camper users and that we are likely to be going much slower then a chase truck would.

That said, it did seem that reservior shock made sense as it would disapate heat better. I am thinking I am going with the 7100 series system which brings me a step up from the standard 5100's but not the extreme and cost of the 2.5 and higher systems.

My .02

 

[Regcabguy]

I just returned from San Marcos helping my friend load a Six Pak 8'.6" cabover onto his '05 2500 regcab 4wd. His original suspension upgrade was a Kore Recon w/2.0 Fox's. The valving was woefully inadequate. Having used Sean Lorenz to revalve the Kore 2.0 Bilstein system on my old truck,we took his shocks to Lorenz who tightened them up to work fine with the cabover.

I went with Thuren's 2.5 King/tower setup this time,but the 2.0's properly valved work pretty darn good. For the average guy who tows occasionally or has an unladen truck the Bilstein 5100's are a quantum leap over the sponge shockers. It's when you're going to throw a FWC,Northstar,or conventional cabover on there that you're going to need more cooled dampening and custom valving. In the real world,that's going to cost you more than $75 a shock.

 

[chasespeed]

The 5100s are great shocks for OFF THE SHELF.

But, if you have the option, and the funds GO WITH something you can revalve, or rebuild.

I have the 5100s... BUT, when its time to replace... I will probably be going with a 2.5 remote res....

Chase

 

[bryson]

The 5100s are great shocks for OFF THE SHELF.

But, if you have the option, and the funds GO WITH something you can revalve, or rebuild.

I have the 5100s... BUT, when its time to replace... I will probably be going with a 2.5 remote res....

Chase

^^^ this. I have 5100s on my '01 Ram with a mild KORE kit, and I can't complain one bit. It is used mostly as a DD and a tow rig, and it rarely sees dirt, but it sure rides nice on the highway.

 

[Fish]

I have 5100's in my 2500 and I'm pretty happy with them in comparison to stock. However, 800 lbs of camper also smoothed out my ride, and I have full leafs in the rear as opposed to mid-packs.

However.... I'm looking to upgrade. Is it necessary? No, which is why I haven't pulled the trigger. I didn't have the money for better shocks when I installed the system and I don't have it now. Would it be nicer on the street as well as offroad? Absolutely. I still get some pretty heavy chop when I'm say southbound 163 between 15 and Kearney Mesa. If I can find some free time, we can hook up and you can feel for yourself.

Part of the issue you'll have is finding someone who has had all the different shocks and can give a comparison.

I'm dealing with the same cost/benefit mindf*** that you guys are. But mine is where to upgrade to. So my lesson to you is buy as much as you can off the bat. I will likely end up with 9100's, or King 2.5's or something equivalent.

If I were you, I'd at least step up to something tunable like the 5160's, 7100's or Fox 2.0's. Tunability is the key to performance and comfort.

 

[my1stcummins]

Fish, I may have to take you up on that offer. The 163, especially 163 SB just off of the 8 is what drives me nuts. If i hit that corner going up the hill just right I get death wobble. I am thinking 5160's may be finding their way under my truck. Ugh, I hate trying to be fiscally responsible.

 

[Regcabguy]

Fish, I may have to take you up on that offer. The 163, especially 163 SB just off of the 8 is what drives me nuts. If i hit that corner going up the hill just right I get death wobble. I am thinking 5160's may be finding their way under my truck. Ugh, I hate trying to be fiscally responsible.

5160's aren't going to cure your DW. Worn suspension components are the usual culprit. #2 is tires. If you don't already have a steering box brace,Paul Fox up at Defiant is planning on making some more. His design is compatible with your Defiant rockshield. One of his distributors may have one also.

 

[shovelbill]

I'm no shock guru, so maybe I am WAY off... but I am a little amazed by the everyones opinions.

I have no doubt that the Fox's are a better shock... but HOW much better? Also, I don't know the specifics of your truck, or how you intend to use it... but I am assuming it see's a bunch of street time with the occasional off-road romp.

Seriously, do you really need a shock that was designed for pre-running and racing applications? According to Fox's own website on the 2.0 Emulsion Shock: Designed specifically for pre-runners, "limited classes", and recreation vehicles.

And since when is a Bilstein 5100 "cutting corners" on your average lifted dodge that isn't chasing, pre-running, or crawling on a regular basis? Again, I am making a lot of assumptions about your intended use... but I think that so many people get caught up in having "the best" that they disregard the fact that in many cases a cheaper option will meet or exceed there expectations 99% of the time.

If your worried about a little bit of shock fade, or even having custom valving done to make your truck perform at it's absolute best - then you have more money than I do and are certainly running your truck much harder than I am off-road. But I suspect you are like most of us... and with few exceptions, I doubt most of us could even tell the difference between the two while behind the wheel in MOST cases.

Again, I'm in no way qualified to speak intelligently about shock selection... so take my rambling for what they are worth, but I am guessing that a fox 2.0 is probably overkill.

-jm

best post i've read in a while, so i'll jump on your bandwagon.......for MOST applications. i suspect MOST folks fall into this catagory, but get waylaid by tech, fluff and the "cost more must be better" approach. i'm sure not saying this is the case here, but i am saying it's quite true most of the time.

i like Bilstein products.......i'd call them with all the info i could muster (lift, weight, speed and usage).

i learned that when i'm 100% honest with how i'm going to use a product or vehicle, i'm usually 99% satisfied and don't have to sell a kidney to do it either........truth be told these are basically "stock" trucks.

 

[my1stcummins]

OK! I'm taking the plunge with suspension :snorkel:
Enough of my indecisiveness, I've sent Don an email requesting my 2.0 kit:wings:

I decided to go with the 2.0 Fox's due to the fact that they are uber awesome, and are rebuildable/tunable for the life of my truck. I bought the Cummins for longevity, so I might as well have a suspension that is equally durable. There isn't one post or webinfo that says the 2.0's aren't any good, and some people have second thoughts about the 5100's. I realized that if I went with the 5100's that someday I would probably want something better. While the 2.0's aren't the best, they are a fantastic shock that will be more than enough for my needs. Go big or go home right?