Good shocks for a lift?

[Backpayne]

As stated in my other post, I'm swapping a '78 K10 suspension to my '66. I still need to buy shocks, but I am not sure what are even good for a lifted vehicle. Is there a certain brand or type that is the go-to shock or a certain brand/type to stay away from?

Thanks!
Jeff

[mongocanfly]

I used skyjacker black max on my IH build..I had to do custom mounts anyway when swapping from IH axles to GM ..
I just put a set of bilstein on my C30..
Not driven either one, so no feedback on ride

[burnin oil]

Honestly that is a personal preference thing. We would have to know the intended usage and know what you consider a good ride not to mention road conditions where you live. My 72 K20 has stiff shocks and I prefer that. Even though I rebuilt it she is still a work truck. Heavy loads, crap roads, and my driving style dictate a harsh shock package. That said I have had good luck out of the yellow bilstiens. Possibly the 5100 series if they arnt silver. Sorry I just can't remember the last part off the top of my head.

[Richard]

Always liked a standard hydraulic shock on an older leaf sprung truck over the newer gas shocks. Gas shocks typically have more dampening and make the ride worse. Stiff spring = softer shock for better ride. Softer spring = stiffer shock. The shock is 50% of the equation in ride and handling.

[allchevy58]

I used Bilsteins 5100 series with my Skyjacker 2 1/2" lift and rides great.

[special-K]

Most people only know how the shocks they put on their truck changed it from how it was with the shocks before. How many people know how various shocks work on the same truck? There are some of use who at least have had several of the same trucks, so have some comparisons they can make. For me the differences have all been minimal. I've run hydraulic and gas charged. The only shocks I have used that stood out were Rancho 9000RSXs, I think they were called. They were adjustable. They had something like 9 settings. I figure that was a bit of a gimmick, but you could definitely tell the difference between the both extremes. With a load or pulling the trailer I'd use the firmest. On the softest setting the truck swayed and bounced. On the firm setting it hauled just right. Empty it rode like a buckboard on the firm setting and rode just right on soft setting. Great suspension flex off road

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by allchevy58

I used Bilsteins 5100 series with my Skyjacker 2 1/2" lift and rides great.

Do you have part numbers for those Bilsteins? Reason I ask is your 2 1/2" lift..... I have the same front springs and found that stock rear shocks were the correct length to use with the 2 1/2" front springs.

The Bilstein website shows only p/n 24-187077 for front lifted height of 3-4". No rear shocks listed.

[special-K]

When I tried to buy Bilstein 5100s I was told only did stock height.

[allchevy58]

https://cart.bilsteinus.com/results?...2718225054095& This is right from there website, 3"-4" lift. 24-187077 and 24-187084

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by allchevy58

https://cart.bilsteinus.com/results?...2718225054095& This is right from there website, 3"-4" lift. 24-187077 and 24-187084

Interesting! When I look up my K20, it only shows front shocks. A few hours ago it showed just the 5100s for lifted trucks, and now it also shows 4600s for non-lifted.

So you got the ones for a 3"-4" lift and they work OK with your 2 1/2" springs? Good info to know, thanks.

[allchevy58]

Yes, They work great, the truck ride real nice. Had to change mounting hardware for the rear ones. What they came with didn't fit.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by allchevy58

Yes, They work great, the truck ride real nice. Had to change mounting hardware for the rear ones. What they came with didn't fit.

Thanks for the info! My K20 has KYBs that I put on a long time ago and are probably due for replacement. Rear springs are stock + add-a-leaf, so I can use front lift shocks in the rear position.

[Zoomad75]

I can attest to the difference from standard "lift kit" shocks to Bilstein 5100's. It was a darn good comparison with the leaf springs not changing between the shocks. My rough country shocks were just that, rough. With the rough country springs, the ride was stiffer or harsher than it could be. I swapped in the 5100s in and it was quite noticeable how much of a difference it was.

Part of the difference comes from the fact of the lift kit shocks were a twin-tube design vs the mono-tube design of the 5100's. The shock piston size is much larger on a mono-tube, which can allow more reactive valving.

I will admit, the 5100s did make a difference with the Rough Country springs I ran forever. I'm now running Superlift soft-ride springs up front and with the 5100's I've seen/felt better ride on the rough stuff now too. It's no Raptor, but I found myself going faster than I have in the past on rough/fast dirt roads.

On-road performance is better as well. This is saying a lot when my truck tips the scales at 7400 pounds and barn door aerodynamics catch winds like a sail.

[Backpayne]

Ok, sounds like I will go with the Bilsteins. I have them on my Ram and like how they ride.

Thank you all!