Shocks- Updated opinions

[cmc76]

Currently have about 62,000 on my 2020 2500 Big Horn- Air suspension. Coming into spring i am going to take the tire pressure down quite a bit. But just doing some general planning. truck sees 90% highway, but offroad and on construction sites the other 10%.
I dont follow much in the way of suspension, and it appeared the posts related were a bit dated. what are people running now when the factory shocks give up. I am happy with the stance and ride currently. but i cant imagine the current factory setup going forever.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Most common aftermarket performance options for us modders are bilsteins, fox, or king. Fox and bilstein have entry level shocks and up. Fox and king both have high end options.

You could always get OE style replacement shocks like Monroe or rancho at your LAPS for pretty cheap if you are happy with factory ride

 

[elephantrider]

replace with oem or similar if you haven't had any issues and are factory height

I've ram bilstein amd fox.

 

[johanh13]

I just bought a set of carli tuned King 2.5 for my Ram. I have not installed them yet, but plan on installing my 2" thuren front coils with them (leaving stock rear coils). My stock bilsteins have 90,000 miles on them and they feel pretty soft...
If you are curious about the King shocks, the fronts are 24.5" extended with 8.125" stroke, the rears are 25.5" extended with 9" stroke (these are for 2.5" carli leveling kit)
Also, plan on welding in front coil isolator supports and new front lower shock mounts

 

[Brutal_HO]

Bilstein 4600's. Closest to factory and shouldn't leak at 5 or 10K like so many of the OEM rear shocks do (mine did.)

FWIW, I installed (apparently not recommended by Bilstein for rear air 3500's - wrong valving something length something - (blah blah blah whatever)) 5100's and it rides and tows great. Definitely firmer than stock but not teeth rattling.

 

[LegendaryLawman]

What did those king 2.5 bad boys run you? They look pretty sick

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Bilstein 4600s will be replacing my OEM 4600s they ride great for my use

 

[Brutal_HO]

Bilstein 4600s will be replacing my OEM 4600s they ride great for my use

I didn't like the color. LOL

 

[johanh13]

What did those king 2.5 bad boys run you? They look pretty sick

Carli Suspension 2014+ Ram 2500 King Leveling Pintop 2.5 Shock Package

Carli 2014+ Ram 2500 Pintop King leveling height shocks offer are the highest quality bolt in King shocks available for the Ram platform. Completely custom designed for Carli by King, these shocks offer unmatched performance on and off road. If you want a Ram that can play just as hard as it...

www.cjcoffroad.com

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I didn't like the color. LOL

Im not a fan of the yellow and blue but once undercoated nothing shows its color lol

 

[Dinky503]

Depends on what you are doing with your truck? Are you looking to use it for work? Daily driver? Or don't care budget wanna look cool? There is a lot to go into picking the right shocks and for the right reason. Most people including myself have stuff that is over kill for our use but they look cool!

 

[werard]

I just bought a set of carli tuned King 2.5 for my Ram. I have not installed them yet, but plan on installing my 2" thuren front coils with them (leaving stock rear coils). My stock bilsteins have 90,000 miles on them and they feel pretty soft...
If you are curious about the King shocks, the fronts are 24.5" extended with 8.125" stroke, the rears are 25.5" extended with 9" stroke (these are for 2.5" carli leveling kit)
Also, plan on welding in front coil isolator supports and new front lower shock mounts

So you are going to install Carli shocks which specify that they are "only to be used" with their springs yet install another manufactures springs?

- Compatible ONLY with Carli 2.5" Front Springs & Stock Rear Springs

I am unsure how "set in stone" that is as Thuren says the same with some of their shock sets.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

So you are going to install Carli shocks which specify that they are "only to be used" with their springs yet install another manufactures springs?

- Compatible ONLY with Carli 2.5" Front Springs & Stock Rear Springs

I am unsure how "set in stone" that is as Thuren says the same with some of their shock sets.

Thats a sales pitch so they can sell you both.

 

[johanh13]

So you are going to install Carli shocks which specify that they are "only to be used" with their springs yet install another manufactures springs?

- Compatible ONLY with Carli 2.5" Front Springs & Stock Rear Springs

I am unsure how "set in stone" that is as Thuren says the same with some of their shock sets.

The spring rates are very similar, as is their free length. As for the tuning on the shocks, I bet it will work just fine! I had those same springs on my previous Ram 2500 with fox shocks from thuren, then I swapped the 2" springs for the 1" springs. I bet the difference between the 1" & 2" thuren coils is bigger than the difference between the 2" thuren and the 2.5" carli's. BTW, the 2" thurens provided 2.5" of lift. With the 2.5" thuren coils my axle center to top of fender was 27", 24.5" stock... The 1.5" thurens equaled 26" ... the thuren 'tuned' fox shocks worked equally well with either the 1" or 2" coils...