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  1. #21
    Big Traveler
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cate&Rob View Post
    Coming from the same OEM world that Jim does, I would echo this as a key observation. A vehicle dynamics engineer is interested in the best balance of ride and handling. There is no incentive for him/her to do anything but find that best balance and they have tuning tools and calibration increments plus lab and road testing that most owners cannot imagine. The durability/longevity of the components that make up that suspension tuning is another matter (this is where manufacturing and sourcing costs factor in) . . . but, your truck left the factory with the best tuning balance for its intended use and GVWR. It is time for me to replace the dampers on my truck . . . and I will go with OEM replacement parts.

    Just my two cents worth . . .

    Rob
    Rob,

    You make a good point by going with the OEM shocks and struts as I also do the same for brakes, rotors, filters, etc. For my truck, I would like the rear to be a little stiffer on compression while towing the Imagine on some rougher roads such as the I- 275 route you experienced. I also did some equalizer adjustments and leveled the rig (It was nose down) which eliminated porpoiseing. I'll try the rear Bilstein's first and if I am not satisfied for all around driving, I will take the hit on the Bilstein's and install the OEM's.
    MidwestCamper

    Jim & Dawn
    Near Milford, Michigan
    2017 Imagine 2600RB
    2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab 4x4

  2. #22
    Seasoned Camper
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    Like a lot of parts on vehicles, (tires come to mind here) the Ranchos that come as OEM are usually a compromise, and made to a specific spec that may not specifically suit your needs. The aftermarket stuff is good, but I think it's a matter of them resting on their reputation. There are far better products today than there were 15-20 years ago. I also don't think they're the right prodct for towing.

  3. #23
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MidwestCamper View Post
    Rob,

    You make a good point by going with the OEM shocks and struts as I also do the same for brakes, rotors, filters, etc. For my truck, I would like the rear to be a little stiffer on compression while towing the Imagine on some rougher roads such as the I- 275 route you experienced. I also did some equalizer adjustments and leveled the rig (It was nose down) which eliminated porpoiseing. I'll try the rear Bilstein's first and if I am not satisfied for all around driving, I will take the hit on the Bilstein's and install the OEM's.
    Hi Jim,

    I have been really pleased with how I can "tune" the rear spring rate with the airbags (and onboard compressor). The suspension damping should really be a separate thing from spring rate, as long as the dampers are operating within their designed range of travel. In my case, the truck feels a little "looser" than it used to. 80,000 miles on the truck, towing the same 5th wheel, loaded the same as always. I have new tires (same spec as OE . . . well almost) so part of this might be 14/32 of tread depth rather than 5/32 where I left off with the original tires. It makes sense that my shocks are worn. New OE spec shocks will be the next step to see if this returns the more stable feel that I used to have.

    Rob
    Cate & Rob
    2015 Reflection 303RLS

  4. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cate&Rob View Post
    Hi Jim,

    I have been really pleased with how I can "tune" the rear spring rate with the airbags (and onboard compressor). The suspension damping should really be a separate thing from spring rate, as long as the dampers are operating within their designed range of travel. In my case, the truck feels a little "looser" than it used to. 80,000 miles on the truck, towing the same 5th wheel, loaded the same as always. I have new tires (same spec as OE . . . well almost) so part of this might be 14/32 of tread depth rather than 5/32 where I left off with the original tires. It makes sense that my shocks are worn. New OE spec shocks will be the next step to see if this returns the more stable feel that I used to have.

    Rob
    Rob,
    I've also been eyeballing the air bags as a nice to have. I had these on a 1989 1500 Silverado with a pop up truck camper while towing a boat, and they worked excellent.
    MidwestCamper

    Jim & Dawn
    Near Milford, Michigan
    2017 Imagine 2600RB
    2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab 4x4

  5. #25
    Site Team WhittleBurner's Avatar
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    As Leon T stated earlier in most cases shocks go bad slowly so you don't really notice that it is time to replace them. When they get really bad it can feel like you are floating down the road. It takes a lot of miles for these shocks to go bad. Your springs will have the same miles on them and they will weaken as they get older too. You don't need to replace your springs just because the shocks have gone bad but having shocks that are a little stiffer may not be a bad idea. There's 2 ways to check for bad shocks. One is visually, are they leaking if they are replace them. Another way to check is by the rebound rate. Keep pushing and letting up on the bumper. Get the truck bouncing as much as you can. When you stop bouncing the truck it should come to a complete stop in no more than 1 and 1/2 bounces. If it doesn't replace the shocks.
    Marcy & Gary
    2014 Grand Design - Reflection 303RLS
    2022 GMC 3500 Denali Duramax Longbed SRW
    2015 GMC Denali 3500 - Retired
    2003 F350 - retired
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  6. #26
    Seasoned Camper
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    I meant to ask other Chev/Duramax owners - maybe enough on this string where I don't have to start another. My truck is riding on the bump stops in front. Are any of yours doing that? I never even looked until I replaced the shocks but that just doesn't seem ideal to me.

  7. #27
    Seasoned Camper
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    Quote Originally Posted by TucsonJim View Post
    Has anyone replaced them on a 2011-2016 F350 themselves? Is it something that could be done mostly one handed?

    Jim
    Definitely not one handed. To replace all 4 it took me about an hour and a half. A lot of that was finding the right tools though. I don't know what side of town you live on but it you're anywhere close to me I'd be glad to help you throw them on. I'm on the NW side. I searched around quite a bit and ended up buying mine on Amazon with free 2-day shipping. PM me if you need a hand. I'm about half retired so weekdays are fine.

  8. #28
    King Pin
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leon T View Post
    Definitely not one handed. To replace all 4 it took me about an hour and a half. A lot of that was finding the right tools though. I don't know what side of town you live on but it you're anywhere close to me I'd be glad to help you throw them on. I'm on the NW side. I searched around quite a bit and ended up buying mine on Amazon with free 2-day shipping. PM me if you need a hand. I'm about half retired so weekdays are fine.

    Thanks much Leon. I'm going to save this project till after the first of the year. Who knows, the doc may tell me I can start using my hand again. But if not, I'll sure consider your offer. I live on the NE near Sabino Canyon.

    Jim

  9. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leon T View Post
    I meant to ask other Chev/Duramax owners - maybe enough on this string where I don't have to start another. My truck is riding on the bump stops in front. Are any of yours doing that? I never even looked until I replaced the shocks but that just doesn't seem ideal to me.
    I've seen this on new trucks and it normal. The bump stops are toward the inside of the control arm which still allows for adequate suspension travel.
    MidwestCamper

    Jim & Dawn
    Near Milford, Michigan
    2017 Imagine 2600RB
    2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab 4x4

  10. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leon T View Post
    I meant to ask other Chev/Duramax owners - maybe enough on this string where I don't have to start another. My truck is riding on the bump stops in front. Are any of yours doing that? I never even looked until I replaced the shocks but that just doesn't seem ideal to me.
    My 2016 is just barely contacting the bump stop at its inner edge, has since new.

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