GMC Pickup Shocks?

[notnsuv]

Off topic.. trash it if inappropriate.

Wife's '05 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4, 6.0 gasser is in need of shocks, still running OEM. Stock height.
Looking at the usual suspects, Bilstein 4600, Rancho 5000X, Fox, etc. I run Fox 2.0 on my '05 Durmax with a Cognito leveling kit but that was 10 years ago the change was made.

Anyone care to opine on a favorite shock for a 3/4 ton pickup? I don't know that she's going to be very critical, it's a pavement pounder, never been offroad in it's 100k miles (18 years), and whatever I choose will improve the ride over worn out OEM. It's truly the 'little old lady' truck everyone would love to find.

TIA

 

[Rickyd]

Off topic.. trash it if inappropriate.

Wife's '05 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4, 6.0 gasser is in need of shocks, still running OEM. Stock height.
Looking at the usual suspects, Bilstein 4600, Rancho 5000X, Fox, etc. I run Fox 2.0 on my '05 Durmax with a Cognito leveling kit but that was 10 years ago the change was made.

Anyone care to opine on a favorite shock for a 3/4 ton pickup? I don't know that she's going to be very critical, it's a pavement pounder, never been offroad in it's 100k miles (18 years), and whatever I choose will improve the ride over worn out OEM. It's truly the 'little old lady' truck everyone would love to find.

TIA

I put bilstien 5100's on my dads 05 duramax and it rides fine. Had the same on my old duramax.(a lot heavier than your wifes lq4 i know)

My current 4" lifted 02 duramax has rancho 9000x's.they were done for after one trip to death valley though.

How do you like the foxes? How hard are you on them and how long have you had them? I'm considering them now

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

I replaced the OEM Bilstein's on my Ford with new Bilstein's, and am happy. 3 of 4 of the OEM shocks were seized up.

I was not impressed with the paint on the Bilstein's, or the Rancho's I put on my Jeep, so I gave them a coat of Rustoleum satin black before the install.

 

[notnsuv]

I put bilstien 5100's on my dads 05 duramax and it rides fine. Had the same on my old duramax.(a lot heavier than your wifes lq4 i know)

My current 4" lifted 02 duramax has rancho 9000x's.they were done for after one trip to death valley though.

How do you like the foxes? How hard are you on them and how long have you had them? I'm considering them now

Fox are ok on the Dmax but I'm no shock aficionado. Mostly highway travel with some 5th wheel towing but it's retired from that duty a well.
Dumped the shocks off the '18 F350 FX4 ASAP and put Fox on that for towing, hated the OEM shocks.
Also didn't like 5100 on the LJ and replaced with Ranch RS5000x that I painted chassis black, but 4600 on a factory height pickup might be fine.
Hell's Bells she isn't gonna care. I'll just look at Summit and pick something.

 

[notnsuv]

I replaced the OEM Bilstein's on my Ford with new Bilstein's, and am happy. 3 of 4 of the OEM shocks were seized up.

I was not impressed with the paint on the Bilstein's, or the Rancho's I put on my Jeep, so I gave them a coat of Rustoleum satin black before the install.

I might go with KYB Monomax. Wanted to try them on the LJ but couldn't get the length combo I thought I needed after cycling. Mid-range inexpensive also.

 

[notnsuv]

KYB on the way along with new DynoMax exhaust.

 

[CodaMan]

I run the Rancho 7000's on my 3/4 ton F-250 and they are great.

 

[Shank]

I like the 4600's on my duramax quite a bit.

 

[tworley]

I had 5100s on my cummins and it was a really nice ride. Felt very firm and planted. Though I only had them for maybe a year before I sold the truck.

I put them on my F150 not too long ago and quickly remembered why I liked them. The F150 is 6k lbs. The ride is firm and stable and its very noticeable on rough, windy mountain roads that I drive. The rear, especially on washboard roads stays planted and the truck doesnt slowly drift sideways. Not sure on their life though, I am hoping 70-100k miles. They've only been on for about 10k miles.

 

[Shank]

Bilstein claimed (for whatever it's worth) the 4600's were more suited for on road application than 5100's. I specifically asked about the smoothest on road ride. Their exact response "We always recommend the 4600 series if it is a stock height vehicle. The 5100 series is longer and tuned for a lifted application".

Now I don't believe they publish valving data so we cannot verify this statement.