Help I’m poor.

2nd and 3rd gen stuff is no bueno on 1st gens.

 

also shipping from SoCal to FL is killer, unless Vilmont Market is in FL too?

 

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s...justable_Front_Struts_(Pair)_-_24-249928.html
Start a conversation with @HeadStrong Off-Road . Marie will get you in the right direction.

 

people can post from wherever. Most of it is located in California though

 

dang, if only I lived over in CA

 

If your short on funds why not just go with stock shocks for now until your finances improve? I bought my truck with 92k and stock shocks/leaf springs were on the truck. You could buy all that and get 10’s of 1000’s of miles to save up for what you really want.

 

You're on a budget.

Get some KYB Gas A Just shocks/struts from RockAuto (or some other quality brand).

Install.

See if suspension and handling are improved/ adequate before installing and buying leaf springs.

 

PICK N PULL!!

 

Why are you poor?

 

I’m not really that poor, the title was for attention. I am just budgeting and seeking advice.

 

I tried, no tacos that I can find

 

All the guys on here telling you to assess what is causing your problems are correct. First figure that out, dont want to waste a bunch of money on something thats not going to fix your problem.

That being said, if you decide that swapping out for new shocks on all four corners is your best bet, then here is my advice: either go with @TacoTaco02 's advice and get some KYBs preassembled, or, do what I did, and just get Bilstein 4600s for all four corners. The rear first - all you have to pay for is the shocks and they bolt right on. I think i got mine for like $75 each from RockAuto. (use a 5% off coupon)

For the front, the shocks are more like $85 for the 4600s. if you dont have plans to lift, stick with the 4600s and forget the 5100s. All my research shows there is no difference other than the adjustable height. I say do the back shocks first because the fronts you might have to get new top hats, bushings, springs, etc. I got all new hardware and hats and springs for my fronts and it cost me like $300 all in.

you prob wont have luck with the spring compressors at HF or autozone. they couldnt grab onto the coils of my fronts. I paid a shop $20 per shock to put em together for me. Money well spent.

after the shock swap, decide if you need new rear leafs. I suspect not. either way, you dont save any time or money by doing them at the same time as the shocks. just wait on those and see how it feels.

 

do you know if the rear shock has any differences between the 4600 and 5100?

 

@Blueyota15 from what im told, its a stiffer heavier duty shock. if you dont plan on pulling a boat or loading stone in the bed of your truck, theres no reason you need it over the 4600. if you plan to fill that topper with stuff, you could consider it

 

Mine weren't preassembled but for the 2 front struts I paid $61.58 total and the rear shocks were $69.58 total.

I called a few shops and no one wanted to assemble my struts so I went ahead and rented the spring compressor from Advance Auto for free. Not my favorite thing to do but it got the job done with a bit of excitement. Haha
If you go this route make sure to lube the threads of the spring compressor and use a ratchet on the spring compressor, not an electric or pneumatic tool.

Based on feedback here, i'm sure the Bilsteins are better but the KYB's were quite a bit cheaper and the quality is better than other brands in the same price range.

 

Based on what you’ve said your symptoms are, my guess is maybe something in the steering rather than suspension. I’m sure it could use new shocks, my truck feels every little bump and are rough, but doesn’t vibrate at all at highway speeds after a bump. My truck has 220k with original coil over on the front and a 2.25” spacer lift the previous owner installed(which makes them ride even worse) My suspension is pretty rough but I wouldn’t buy any suspension parts until I looked at my steering stuff like the Tie rods, steering rack bushing, lower ball joints, power steering fluid, lower control arm bushings, even wheel bearings maybe. I’m not really sure but those are things I would check first before buying any suspension parts.
I’m in Florida too, I4 is the worst

 

Awesome! I’ll take a look at those as well

 

Good luck

 

Like I stated before. You should check the play in your slip joint before you do anything. See the @Timmah! video I posted before. It take 1 minute to check and verify if the slip joint is a contributing factor and another 30 mins or so to fix.

 

So here is where I’m at, I’m thinking of biting the bullet and getting the 5100s. In the end I would like a lift and in the interest of saving money(long term) I want to get these. Can I just throw them on with the stock coil springs... Or do I need anything else?
I know there are a lot of threads about it and I’ve been looking into those as well.