Shocks, what to do...

So I've got a 16 SR DCSB. I want a shock upgrade but the more I read the more I'm not sure what direction to go.

98% of my driving is pavement. This is my daily driver. I may get off in a field or dirt road for fishing or hunting but generally I don't off road. The stock Hitachi shocks seem very bouncy and soft in corners. They don't seem to take potholes well which is a big concern in Ohio where the roads are basically disintegrating. I also am looking to stay stock height, at most I would consider raising the front 1 inch.

I thought a set of OR Bilstein take offs might be a better choice but reading they too are soft when cornering.

Suggestions? How are the Sport shocks? Would Bilstein 5100's be better choice?

 

I don’t believe you need to upgrade right now for your purposes. However, if you want to, I would slap on a set of 5100’s just for smiles.

 

I have the off road truck and it does lean on turns too much, also rides like a Wrangler on the highway, but feels good around town. I think the suspension is designed to absorb rocky roads and that's what it does. I wonder what shocks and springs are on the Limited model?

 

Don't get me wrong. It's a truck, I don't expect it to ride like a sport or luxury car Just looking for improvements over the Hitachi's.

 

I see many guys have this debate over and over about whether their pavement experience warrants quality coils. If you havnt tried to drive off-road at all...you might like it with quality coils vs something that makes dirt driving...less desireable.

I, for instance have kings and most of my driving is highway, but I love driving at speed and good suspension encourages that for me. It makes every bump and imperfection on the road feel smoother and at speed...even better. When I hit the dirt, I am ahead of the pack depending on who we are rolling with cause I don't have to compromise like others unless I just don't have the height clearance to do something which my truck wasn't built for crazy lift to begin with.

To conclude, for me the quality suspension proves itself everyday on the street and I love bombing around in my ride regardless of terrain because of it. At the end of the day, does your personal budget and lifestyle warrant an investment such as this in your truck? I have dumped a lot of funds in mine so this was an easy decision for me, but not everyone has the same mentality respectfully.

 

I'm sure I would love off roading, but since funds are somewhat limited as well as time it's just something I've never taken up. If I had the money, I'd probably just say to hell with it and throw $2k at a nice lift. Unfortunately with 2 kids in college that's not gonna happen.

 

Yea man if that's the case then you likely wont need the extra umph especially with other priorities. If you want to stay stockish in height I would just get some billys and call it a day as they are similar to the Baja suspension which was fine when I was stock. It wasn't until I got into off-road stuff that I was glad I had the nicer stuff.

 

I don't think changing shocks alone will help anything. Springs and shocks yea, that would make a difference.

 

Unless the shocks come with different springs then what he currently runs.

 

So would a set of 5100's with stock coils set on 3rd notch be an overall all around improvement? Or should I consider a set of coils as well?

 

3rd notch, so now you want lift?

 

Not really looking to lift, but if I did get 5100's a 1" level up front would be nice. Not a deal breaker though.

 

Generally the 5100s are reffered to as 1st notch = 0 lift, highest notch(3rd?) = most 3" lift.

 

I'm just going off of this from Headstrong's site...

Snap Ring Locations:
Per Bilstein the shocks can be adjusted to provide 0-2" of lift.

• 1st notch = stock height
• 2nd notch = 0.65"
• 3rd notch = 1.1"
• 4th notch = 1.55"
• 5th notch = 2" (5th notch not recommended for 4x4 V6/4cyl Access Cab or 4x2 V6 Double Cab 6' bed)

 

My OR corners fine on those same Ohio roads. Do you know anyone with a OR you could ride with to see how you feel? OR takeoffs are stupid cheap.

 

Ok, that's better. I was just going off your first post saying you didn't want to lift. Using 5100s with stock coils compressed will effectively raise the spring rate, this will give you a harsher ride because there is less room for the coil to respond.

 

Yeah, very good point.

 

My Sport shocks are firm and great for on road cornering. Off road or over potholes... they are still firm lol and slow is better. That is the primary difference in suspensions between OEM Sport and Offroad shocks.
Springs are unimportant in this conversation if you are just looking to change ride characteristics.

 

How so?

 

No. I should go test drive one, lol. I had an 05 OR up to about 7 years ago. I don't recall it being bad with cornering, just super stiff in the ass end.