leveling shock help ASAP!
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 1
From: Ontario Canada
i had to cut my shock off and pound out the stem out
3rd Gen Ram Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 16
From: Cádiz, Spain
Ok, I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but I just want confirmation of what I'm thinking here might work...
I know with the '02-'05 with the torsion bars, the Bilstein 5100's will not level the front by themselves. The TB's need to be cranked 1 3/4" - 2", and the stock shocks replaced with shocks that are 2" longer. I see that some '05 and earlier owners, like Marx, have the 5100's. So, am I right in guessing that the lift/level comes from the torsion crank, and the Bilstein's are "passive", as opposed to providing the intended lift/level that they are designed for?
Looks like if I crank the TB's, then I would go with either the Bilstein 5100 or the Pro Comp shocks to provide the extra 2" that the stockers do not. Is there a significant ride difference between the 1500's and the Pro Comp shocks (9000, I think is the model) on the torsion bar setup, as opposed to the coil setup of the later model trucks? I have no problem spending the money, but i've also read Hammer's explanation of the Tenneco umbrella, as well as his bad experience with Bilstein customer service (precisely the reason I'll never own another Volkeswagen).
Anyway... this got longer than originally intended. Long story slightly less longer: I'm good to go with a torsion crank and either the 5100's or the Pro Comps, right?
*EDIT* I have a 3" body lift, but that shouldn't be an issue, right, since this is all suspension to the frame?
I know with the '02-'05 with the torsion bars, the Bilstein 5100's will not level the front by themselves. The TB's need to be cranked 1 3/4" - 2", and the stock shocks replaced with shocks that are 2" longer. I see that some '05 and earlier owners, like Marx, have the 5100's. So, am I right in guessing that the lift/level comes from the torsion crank, and the Bilstein's are "passive", as opposed to providing the intended lift/level that they are designed for?
Looks like if I crank the TB's, then I would go with either the Bilstein 5100 or the Pro Comp shocks to provide the extra 2" that the stockers do not. Is there a significant ride difference between the 1500's and the Pro Comp shocks (9000, I think is the model) on the torsion bar setup, as opposed to the coil setup of the later model trucks? I have no problem spending the money, but i've also read Hammer's explanation of the Tenneco umbrella, as well as his bad experience with Bilstein customer service (precisely the reason I'll never own another Volkeswagen).
Anyway... this got longer than originally intended. Long story slightly less longer: I'm good to go with a torsion crank and either the 5100's or the Pro Comps, right?
*EDIT* I have a 3" body lift, but that shouldn't be an issue, right, since this is all suspension to the frame?
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,686
Likes: 21
From: South Georgia/East Florida
Ok, I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but I just want confirmation of what I'm thinking here might work...
I know with the '02-'05 with the torsion bars, the Bilstein 5100's will not level the front by themselves. The TB's need to be cranked 1 3/4" - 2", and the stock shocks replaced with shocks that are 2" longer. I see that some '05 and earlier owners, like Marx, have the 5100's. So, am I right in guessing that the lift/level comes from the torsion crank, and the Bilstein's are "passive", as opposed to providing the intended lift/level that they are designed for?
Looks like if I crank the TB's, then I would go with either the Bilstein 5100 or the Pro Comp shocks to provide the extra 2" that the stockers do not. Is there a significant ride difference between the 1500's and the Pro Comp shocks (9000, I think is the model) on the torsion bar setup, as opposed to the coil setup of the later model trucks? I have no problem spending the money, but i've also read Hammer's explanation of the Tenneco umbrella, as well as his bad experience with Bilstein customer service (precisely the reason I'll never own another Volkeswagen).
Anyway... this got longer than originally intended. Long story slightly less longer: I'm good to go with a torsion crank and either the 5100's or the Pro Comps, right?
*EDIT* I have a 3" body lift, but that shouldn't be an issue, right, since this is all suspension to the frame?
I know with the '02-'05 with the torsion bars, the Bilstein 5100's will not level the front by themselves. The TB's need to be cranked 1 3/4" - 2", and the stock shocks replaced with shocks that are 2" longer. I see that some '05 and earlier owners, like Marx, have the 5100's. So, am I right in guessing that the lift/level comes from the torsion crank, and the Bilstein's are "passive", as opposed to providing the intended lift/level that they are designed for?
Looks like if I crank the TB's, then I would go with either the Bilstein 5100 or the Pro Comp shocks to provide the extra 2" that the stockers do not. Is there a significant ride difference between the 1500's and the Pro Comp shocks (9000, I think is the model) on the torsion bar setup, as opposed to the coil setup of the later model trucks? I have no problem spending the money, but i've also read Hammer's explanation of the Tenneco umbrella, as well as his bad experience with Bilstein customer service (precisely the reason I'll never own another Volkeswagen).
Anyway... this got longer than originally intended. Long story slightly less longer: I'm good to go with a torsion crank and either the 5100's or the Pro Comps, right?
*EDIT* I have a 3" body lift, but that shouldn't be an issue, right, since this is all suspension to the frame?
The ES9000s are a good shock, same as a Skyjacker Nitro series. Obviously Bilstein is the Cadillac of shocks, it's just I had a BIG issue with a company who advertises "off-road" shocks and then wouldn't warranty a bad shock because I used it "off-road".
Body lifts do not effect shock height...
3rd Gen Ram Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 16
From: Cádiz, Spain
Awesome. Thanks.
*EDIT* Crap. I had done a lot of reading on the FAQ/DIY forum and searches. I have no idea how I missed that thread on the shock part numbers. I see it now. Perfect.
*EDIT* Crap. I had done a lot of reading on the FAQ/DIY forum and searches. I have no idea how I missed that thread on the shock part numbers. I see it now. Perfect.
Last edited by Chet Ubetcha; Nov 1, 2011 at 08:24 AM.