I was about to crank up my torsion bars on my 2004 1500 to level the truck when I read on the suspension maxx website
However the guy in the garage said longer shock absorbers are needed in order to level the truck by cranking up the bars otherwise the stock ones will wear out really fast.

I don't want to make the truck unsafe by leveling it/adding longer shocks, any input/recommendation/experience?

 

sounds about right. On the heavy rebounds, you have a higher possibility of maxxing out the lenth of the shock.

I recommend keeping it stock. im just a stock height kindof guy.

Ive hmm'ed and haw'd over leveling my truck. And ive just came to think that its a waste. The initial cost, install, re-alignment, more air drag( fuel waste), CVs take more wear. possible steering?, new shocks, god knows what else. $1000(even more i bet) in cost over the life of the truck, for an inch or 2.

Just my frugal opinion

 

Leveling the truck is a modification so 2 inch longer shocks are recommended. If you keep the stock length stock the truck will ride worse because there is less travel in the shock where as there is more travel within the suspension now. I would look at the leveling kits that come with shocks and then just buy those shocks

 

the website is just saying that to cover their butts probably. Most people prefer to add longer shocks if they crank the t-bars, but some like the stiffer ride, they think it is more like a truck. It wouldn't surprise me if it made the shocks wear out faster though, that makes sense. You could look into the bilstein leveling shocks (5100 i think), 2 birds one stone.

 

doing a level kit was one of the best mods that I have ever done.It cost me only $200 and i have had like this for 4 years now with no problems($125 for the kit online and $80 for the alighment)the "air drag" didn't really change much and i have not done any replacement of front end parts because of it.

 

Ewing the Bilstein leveling struts (no such thing as a leveling shock) are for the 06+

 

My truck has 70k miles on the clock now, I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea for new shocks anyhow.

Guy in the shop wants to sell me BDS shocks for 70$ a pop. Plus 0.8h labour plus alignment fee. Sounds about right to me... Hmmmmm

 

BDS shocks are most likely the same as Rancho or ProComp shocks (all made by the same company but with different logos on them) which can be had for cheaper. Just look for shocks that fit the length you require.

 

If you are still looking, BDS shocks are available on the BDS web site for under $50/each. You can get Bilstein 4600's for what he is quoting you for BDSs...

<TED>

 

Look into monroe reflex's