Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Have a 74 K20 frame and springs and I got Alcan springs From ORD w/a 2" lift as advised to get a softer ride and all there stuff like super shakles and hangers and lubed bolts,poly bushings and every thing else they had for springs. 3K later practically no change. I have Rancho 9000 shocks on there now and had to move the rear perch down so they would even fit. So.. I am thinking of getting the correct length Bilstien shocks. Here's the thing: There are 2 rates of these shocks 255/70 and 170/60. the higher rate is suggested as normal and the lower for dual shocks. I'm still looking for a softer ride an wondering what would be the result of my installing the lesser rate shocks 170/60,what do you think??? What's another 400 bucks anyway. In for a dollar in for a dime.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Why didn't you get the matching bilstiens from ord? Catalog bilstiens aren't the same as what has been picked by ord. Call them and buy them from ord. I have **** springs with those shocks and it's remarkably better.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

ORD really dropped the ball on this one. I do not trust them or any advice they may give me. You want me to go into it?? I doubt that the forum would post it. Answer my Question !!!!

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

just go to ord and get there shocks to match .

and its dever spring and alcan is the ones ord has build them if i recall correctly .

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They use Denver and they don't tell you this until after you place your order.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

who ever they use the springs are made to there specs . not a basic off the shelf spec .

whats the problem ? ?

lots of guys running them and super happy over on ck5.com site .

unless you changed something or didnt give the right info they should be spot on .

and yes rancho shocks fit like crap . i recently worked on a guys truck and the rancho shock part#'s were correct for his truck and lift hight . but the shocks were limiting spring travel by close to 25% . made for a hard ride . told him but he didnt care .. . . .

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

First I was to get custom springs and it was to take 3 weeks, fine w/ me they shipped me whatever springs in 1 week,doesn't sound like custom to me. I measured eye to eye and asked what measurements they wanted, they said they knew what I had and they do this all the time. They sent me rear springs 2" too long and told me to move the back mounts.ever try that. Grind off 12 rivets and drill 12 new holes,fun. The front springs rode on the frame and they sent me longer front shackles. I am a stupid old man and I had to spend many hours on the net figuring this out. I was supposed to get a 2" lift, front was 3" (fine) and the back was 7". No answer from them on that (like too bad) maybe it will settle (right) Which threw my castor off and I had to buy 2 degree castor wedges which I have yet to put in because it is a real PIA and they don't want to talk to me anymore but they were sure good at taking my money. It's all my fault you see.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

I'm in the process/ shopping for custom leaf springs for my suburban, and I am about to pull the trigger on a similar set up to what you have.

Give Mark a call at Motor City K-5, he is very knowledgeable he actually takes the time to listen to what you have and can make suggestions based on you application.


www.motorcityk5.com

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Sorry to hear about your experience but there isn't a doubt that ord chosen bilstiens are the best option.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

If you still have big ride height differences after moving the hangers to the 56" location we need to work that out. We thought that was fixed last summer.

As for shocks, I suspect part of the problem might just be length and positioning. If you don't have 3-4" of shock travel in each direction it'll get stiff quick. The rougher the road the more travel you'll need to keep from topping or bottoming the shock till you get to a shock length that exceeds the springs' available travel. It's not always obvious when a shock only has an inch of droop travel available but it'll ride terrible if that's the case. It's usually pretty obvious when there's only a couple inches of bump travel.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Actually the height problem was not fixed you just wore me down and you didn't want to talk about it so I decided to live with it. This thread is about shocks and I know I need new ones. I moved the rear shock perch down about 4" so my rear shock would even connect and there is only about 1.5" down travel in the rear and 2" in the front. I know what length shocks I need to get my 4" up/down travel. What I want to know is the shock rate and if I can get Bilstiens between there 170/60 & 255/70 rates or is that all there is?

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Given the background on the springs we can just say we're still working on what's wrong and that's enough for now. For accuracy since these posts turn into permanent public record, our springs are built by Alcan and have been since the 90's. This isn't a big secret but we don't make a point of it either to avoid confusion. Our specs and build details are not set by them at all, in fact when we started this I had to assure them that I wouldn't hold them responsible for anything to do with the springs past simple construction details. The design work is all ours. It's already easy enough for guys to confuse this so we don't add any fuel to the fire by mentioning Alcan more than is necessary. They don't want to field calls about our springs too so it works for everyone.

On shocks, we have some application specific bilsteins that we can work with and are also working more with Fox on valve packages and shocks to our spec so we have some good options now and even more coming up.

It sounds like the shock length is definitely a problem so if nothing else you'll get a lot better ride by just letting the suspension move.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Do you have Bilstiens shocks other than the 170/60 255/70 rates? Yes or No Please.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

yes.

Pretty happy with my Bilstiens

That I got from ORD
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Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

ORD has never done me wrong. Must be a problem on your end:m2:

My Bilstiens ride mint

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Maybe the OP needs to link his truck?

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

There are so many things mixed up here. You could have avoided all of this by contacting bilstien and asking your simple yes or no question. But now your truck specs are all wonky and completely overcomplicated. Sounds like ord has offered to help and fix this pretty well. It seems like even if you get the correct shocks you probably won't be happy because you messed with everything in really strange ways.

This is a very simple system. ord is only as good as the information they are given. And there are many of us with the same stuff and no problems.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

No ocho,Looks like the problem is on your end.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Bilstien has shocks fir that application too

I’d recommend ORD
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Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

I don't have a problem with my truck. I call ORD and talk about what I want. Give them money, they give me parts. I bolt them on. All is well :burnout:

Well one time UPS lost a box of parts, that was a problem. But ORD replaced the Parts.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

AKA- brans87 on CK5.com

I have bought parts from ORD with no problems from shackles,bushings,shocks shock mounts etc.

I would really like to have there springs but not in my budget.

Maybe you should post up pics of your suspension setup and let some of the guy's help you get it correct!!!

There are way to many CK5.com member's that can back up ORD is top notch stuff and they know what there doing.

So before you get carried away there Simply post some pics up. It will only benefit you in getting your truck right!!!!!

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Can you post pictures of what this looks like now? I think above it was mentioned to move the hangers back 4" (from the 52" to 56" spot) but then something was said about moving the shocks 4" down - wonder if the wrong mounts are getting moved around? Seems like there is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding going on. Pictures may help with clearing up what is going on. 7" lift seems pretty far from the mark if you ordered 2" lift springs. I dont have any lift springs, and never worked with ORD either, but pictures may be able to help clear some stuff up. I'd hate to see you keep throwing money at something that it sounds like you may not fully understand.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Did ORD put you up to this. I messed w/nothing. Original truck frame and springs. 1974 K20 stock.All I wanted was smoother ride,furnished all the specs asked for a 2" lift which they recommended. ORD says that they checked my spring specs 100 times (really??) and I still have a 7" lift in the back and since they checked my specs 100 times they say they would send me the same springs. I am currently asking exactly what the specs for those spring are and am waiting for a reply. They have worn me down and I will just settle w/what I have. Just want shocks. Please understand that.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Note the 2 post history. Looks like ORD is getting some fresh support. Maybe they can get more people to post.

So you have 2” lift springs with a shackle flip?

How about some pictures?
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Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

I wish I was swayed by them. I take donations Mr watson.

But in all seriousness I have probably built hundreds of these trucks professionally and for myself. Your information just doesn't make any sense.

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Not so much supporting ORD, as much as opposing an arrogant and rude OP.

ORD as done a lot for the GM and offroad community, something went wrong with your situation but there is no need to be rude to the only company that will help you. Some things cant be left alone.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Again asking for pictures your not will to post up but your willing to bash ORD!!! No one is going to judge your truck!

There only trying to help you out and that takes a picture to see exactly what is going on with it!

ORD doesn't need to put people up against you as you claim! There is a Brotherhood that stands behind ORD quality and technical experience in the off road world!!!!

Be alot easier if you would just post some pictures up so you can move along with getting your truck right.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

No shackle flip just the ORD super shackles.

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Okay I will take picture in a few days the next time I am at the truck so you can see where I had to drill new shock mount holes in the frame as low as possible for my shock to reach and have 1.5" down travel. Have Rancho 9000 shocks which were for stock and for up to a 2" lift. Not even close!!

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Something don't add up in your combo. 2" springs with a shackle flip would net 6" normally. The fact that you indicated you moved the shock mount down on the frame so they would reach would be a pretty clear red flag that the shocks are too short for the spring combination.

Mixing and matching gets very challenging with this stuff. ORD's combinations are proven. Watson is known throughout the industry for his specific squarebody suspension products. He's done the R&D with his own stuff.

A picture is totally worth a thousand words here. I'm pretty sure once the pics are up the problem should be able to be figured out.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Read my lips there is no shackle flip. Just there super shackle.Like a new heavy duty shackle to replace the original (no flip!!)
Will send pictures in a few days when I am next at my truck.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Where did you buy the shocks?

You're complaining about the Rancho shocks and hating on ORD but didn't buy their Bilstiens. If you didn't buy the shocks from ORD then it seems like your issue is with someone else.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

I need new shocks as the Ranchos don't fit w/this lift. I "am" trying to buy Bilstien shocks from ORD!!!!!! That is what this post is about, DA!! ORD wants to continue to go over and over the rear height problem which we have done before and I gave up. They win!! Picture to come.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

But you've complained about the fitment of the Ranchos (redrilling the frame, etc) in this thread all the while complaining about ORD.

Where did you buy the Ranchos?

If they did not come from ORD I think that should be clear. Also, if they did not come from ORD why aren't you complaining about that seller or Rancho in general since you said they are supposed to fit your size lift?

Or were these used shocks you already had?

I just think that in all fairness to ORD and the readers here, you should provide all of the info and not just pieces of info and a biased opinion (because you're mad).

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

After the lift the Rancho shocks in the rear don't fit.They should have because they are supposed to be good for a 2" lift. See photos and tell me if that looks like a 2" lift. The front shocks fit okay but the Bilstiens should fit better w/more up/down range.I "am" trying to buy Bilstien shocks from ORD>

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

I bought my Rancho shocks from Summit Racing using there fitment chart.They fit the original truck just fine. Had to compress 4" to install and had about 4" up/down. Fitment chart said good for stock to a 2" lift. Front shock fit but only had about 1.5" down travel. Rear not even close (see photos) I need new shocks and have decided to buy Bilstiens from ORD.Just trying to figure out rate

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

Dude, tone down on the agression a tad would you? Nobody is beating you up. We are all asking questions about the combination to try and help you sort out the problem.

Your clarification to my statement still don't make sense then. What spec did they go for the eye to eye length? Are they 52" or 56" springs? If they are 56" spings moving the rear sping hanger is the correct thing to do.

Don't forget that when installing lift springs, the amount of lift is based against stock springs without any wear/useage that will cause them to collapse or at minimum flatten out. So a 2" lift spring could net 3"-4" over an old sagged spring.

Also, you stated multiple times you've given up on figuring why the height is off and all you want is the right shocks. Am I right? Problem is getting the right shock is 100% dependant on knowing what height you are sitting on. So until that variable is locked down any shock choice is purely a guess. Don't matter who makes the suggestion either. It's why Watson is still asking questions about it. Same thing from the rest of us trying to help here.

Just trying to help. Like many have said once you post up some pics it should be easier to understand the problem.

Re: Bilstien shock experiment $$
 

I had 52" springs and the sent me 56" springs. So they told me to move the spring hanger but they were good enough to send me bolts and nuts. They claim I have the right springs so I don't know how the height can change. They did mention something about removing leaves form the pack at one time, but that is not going to happen. The height is what it is and that is what I plan to spec the shocks by. Pictures are posted. So what do you think,does that look like a 2" lift?