I have a 1997 Chevy c1500. Its a single cab long bed, 185K miles, 4.3L V6. Its driven almost all on road, 90% highway - suburban, and 10% city. It has street tires with highway tread. I realized it still has the original shocks still on it. What shock should I try to get the best most comfortable ride?
Best shocks for cushy ride in half ton truck
- Thread starter gfh77665
- Start date
We installed adjustable "Rancho" shocks, made by some familiar name I forget, on a pal's '89 K1500, single cab short bed.
They have a little red knob on them which, when turned, did nothing.
Hmmm...~6,000 miles per year. Is this all you drive it?
If a basic Monroe -or some other brand- works well enough, great.
Check to see how much more Bilstein monotubes would set you back....just to know.
They have a little red knob on them which, when turned, did nothing.
Hmmm...~6,000 miles per year. Is this all you drive it?
If a basic Monroe -or some other brand- works well enough, great.
Check to see how much more Bilstein monotubes would set you back....just to know.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Bilstein!
New shocks will be better than the original shocks from 1997 
The Bilstein 4600 is good stuff.
Gabriel also has non-gas shocks for your truck called LTV Severe Duty.
Koni doesn't seem to make shocks for the GMT400 anymore
The Bilstein 4600 is good stuff.
Gabriel also has non-gas shocks for your truck called LTV Severe Duty.
Koni doesn't seem to make shocks for the GMT400 anymore
I've had the adjustable Ranchos. Setting 3 was too soft, setting 4 was too hard, and after about a year it didn't matter what the setting was.
The truck has a long story. Dad bought it at retirement in the summer of '96. He was the consummate handy man, after working 33 years at Dupont as a mechanic he insisted on a long bed to haul 4x8 material. He drove it until he passed in Dec. '99. I inherited it, and drove it to work. Then when my son turned 16 in 2015, he drove it to high school and then on to college, then into adulthood.
He recently wanted to move on to something newer with a Crew Cab, so he sold it back to me. I will never part with it, as long as its viable. The Vortec 4.3 V6 is the old 350 less two cylinders, so it has a very durable powertrain. Its in overall excellent condition. I get lots of looks and comments on it, and even offers to buy.
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edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
On Rock Auto:
Bilstein 4600 front: $71.79
Bilstein 4600 rear: $71.79
$20 more than that Monroe junk and $30 over Gabriel junk.
And you won't change them ever again.
Bilstein 4600 front: $71.79
Bilstein 4600 rear: $71.79
$20 more than that Monroe junk and $30 over Gabriel junk.
And you won't change them ever again.
Thats what I'll do. Thanks all.
New good rubber bushings for less travel and banging and sound insulation.
Edit: I see that you are in Texas, definitely do the bushings. The heat and the dry weather eat rubber for lunch.
Edit: I see that you are in Texas, definitely do the bushings. The heat and the dry weather eat rubber for lunch.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
^This!
I know you said you'll "never part with it", but circumstances happen.
I put Bilstein 4600's on Mrs. Kira's Saab.
When we sold it, the buyer confessed he jumped when he saw the word Bilstein in the ad.
Besides providing a good ride, Billies could be the "cherry that sells the sundae", should life break that way.
Monroe
Any new shock will be better than what you have. How long the new ones hold up is the real question no one can anwser.
If you intend to keep the truck long term go Bilstein, you will be glad you did!!
If you intend to keep the truck long term go Bilstein, you will be glad you did!!
I love Beilstein and that's what I'll put on my GX but they have a "German" ride quality more focused on handling and strong rebound vs cushy.
Agreed, cushy is the last thing I'd use to describe them.
Agreed. I put a set of B6 struts and shocks on my E350 when the original shocks wore out. They are tuned to give a little of that sports car feel, but at the same time give a nice luxury car feel. I like them better the car better than what it felt like with the original struts/shocks.
But for a truck, wouldn't you think that the B6 would be a good choice? While the OP may want a cushy ride in his truck, it also needs to feel capable. I would think any shock made for a truck is going to be tuned towards that feel, including the B6 that were recommended.
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
I have about 270k miles on the Bilstein shocks I put on my Tundra. The still work perfectly and if one were to fail, I can unbolt it, and send it back for a rebuild, as they come with a lifetime warranty. (I saved the receipt). Though they are cheap enough I would probably just buy another rather than deal with the down time.
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
I had a friend install Rancho on a Toyota 4runner. They road super stiff. He replaced them within a month for Bilstein and never looked back. I road in it before and after and it was dramatic the difference. The Bilstein were still firm, but much more compliant. Rancho had too much compression damping.
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