Drop shocks? 97 4/6??

[justpball]

What shocks has anyone used after doing a 4/6 drop?

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[ChevLoRay]

I have a 2/4 drop and it was done in '02. At that time, Toxic Shox were installed. After about 120K miles, it's time to replace 'em. So, I asked some time back about which shocks to get. I was thinking about KYB's, but I didn't want to waste money. Someone on here said they were running Bilstein's, so I gave that some thought. Last week, I received my shocks from www.shockwarehouse.com. It is a set of Bilsteins that I will have installed tomorrow. The guy I spoke with recommended these and they are labeled as heavy duty for lowered suspensions. While not inexpensive at $265 for the set, they're cheaper than Edelbrock shocks would have been. The set of 4 is only about $40 more than a set of KYB's would have been.

BTW, who did the step eliminator? That's something I'd like to do to mine.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by justpball

What shocks has anyone used after doing a 4/6 drop?

First off, nice truck! I traded my old '88 S-10 Blazer for a '63 Beetle owned by a lady in Silverhill. Met her at Cruisin' the Coast in 2008.

On my old '93 fullsize with 5/8 drop, I ran Doetsch Tech shocks which were pretty good. On my old '93 S-10 with 4/5 drop, I installed Belltech Street Performance shocks which were awesome. I'm contemplating a set for my Tahoe once I get some extra cash.

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

Someone on here said they were running Bilstein's, so I gave that some thought. Last week, I received my shocks from www.shockwarehouse.com. It is a set of Bilsteins that I will have installed tomorrow. The guy I spoke with recommended these and they are labeled as heavy duty for lowered suspensions. While not inexpensive at $265 for the set, they're cheaper than Edelbrock shocks would have been. The set of 4 is only about $40 more than a set of KYB's would have been.

A member of Fullsizechevy.com also recommended the Bilstein HD drop shocks. I'd be interested in knowing your thoughts on them once yours are installed. If I can be convinced they're any better than Belltech Street Performance, I may give them a try.
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[justpball]

Thanks guys! Yea your talking about Kim Coker.... She is a good friend of mine, cool chic that always has some cool rides!
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[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by justpball

Thanks guys! Yea your talking about Kim Coker.... She is a good friend of mine, cool chic that always has some cool rides!
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Yep, that's her. Figured you probably knew her.
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[lowridergmc]

I am also running the bilstein shocks on mine and it is lowered 5 and 7.rides good
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[ChevLoRay]

Well, not so good luck. The P/N I got for the rear, Bilstein Nr.24-021715, is too long. Fronts were great and ride great. Now, I'm waiting on a set of Bell Techs.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

Well, not so good luck. The P/N I got for the rear, Bilstein Nr.24-021715, is too long. Fronts were great and ride great. Now, I'm waiting on a set of Bell Techs.

So they don't have correct ones for the rear (Bilstein)?
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[61_FL_Apache]

Nice truck!!

[ChevLoRay]

I used www.shockwarehouse.com and they listed several brands...KYB, Bilstein and others. I also spoke with tech guy at KYB, but Bilstein came out on top. The Bilstein website listed specifically the very shocks that I bought from the website in the first sentence. In the Bilstein on-line catalog, they stated that their rear shock, which I bought along with the fronts, was designed to fit the rear of 88-98's that were dropped 4-6 inches and using lower extensions. I stated to the vendor that I did NOT have the extensions, and I also told them about my suspension specifics...DJM shackles/hangers with BellTech upper mount relocator. No problem, they said. So, this morning, it was obvious that there is a big difference between the Bilsteins and the Summit racing sport truck shocks. The Bilstein, compressed, is longer than the static length of the Summit shock. If the rear end was hanging in the air from a 2 or 4-post lift, the shock could have been bolted-up, but would have been compressed and not function on the truck with weight on the suspension. I'm waiting on the BellTech Street Performance shocks, which will be installed next Thursday.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

I used www.shockwarehouse.com and they listed several brands...KYB, Bilstein and others. I also spoke with tech guy at KYB, but Bilstein came out on top. The Bilstein website listed specifically the very shocks that I bought from the website in the first sentence. In the Bilstein on-line catalog, they stated that their rear shock, which I bought along with the fronts, was designed to fit the rear of 88-98's that were dropped 4-6 inches and using lower extensions. I stated to the vendor that I did NOT have the extensions, and I also told them about my suspension specifics...DJM shackles/hangers with BellTech upper mount relocator. No problem, they said. So, this morning, it was obvious that there is a big difference between the Bilsteins and the Summit racing sport truck shocks. The Bilstein, compressed, is longer than the static length of the Summit shock. If the rear end was hanging in the air from a 2 or 4-post lift, the shock could have been bolted-up, but would have been compressed and not function on the truck with weight on the suspension. I'm waiting on the BellTech Street Performance shocks, which will be installed next Thursday.

Gotcha. I was just curious why you ditched Bilstein if you had the correct front ones. But I guess you just didn't wanna deal with the hassle of looking for the rear again, especially after explaining your suspension specifics. Was thinking maybe you could've gotten it worked out. That said, the BellTech's are really nice as well (and cheaper $).
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[red94chev]

Hey ChevLoRay. Are you recomending the "BST heavy duty lowered" shocks or the BST heavy duty? My front is dropped 5 inches with spindles and LCAs so it uses a stock length shock but I need something stiff.

[ChevLoRay]

Honestly? I went with the Bilstein BST Lowered. The front shocks that were replaced were worn out. 2-inches lowered up front with spindles, doesn't mean that shock length is any different from OEM. Geometry doesn't change, in that sense, but you need something that is more resistant to road surface changes to keep the tire from bottoming out, like mine were. The BST series is heavy duty and the front end is great, now.

Out back, with my truck sitting static, there is 16-inches between the upper mount and the center-line of the lower mount bolt. Bilstein apparently doesn't have anything that will fit, in my case, even though their on-line application guide says that the very shocks I bought for the rear (24-021715), state that they will fit up to 4-inches of lowering in the rear. So, NO, they will not work. Stock? I think so, according to the extensive listing of all the 88-98's that they fit. They just won't work on my app, but I wish they did. Originally, the site stated "with shock extensions". However, the install guy at a local aftermarket supplier said NO to shock extensions. Apparently, Bilstein has dropped that stipulation, too. I'm not a fan of the idea of extensions, but someone may have another opinion...anyone? Maybe I'll post that question...

[lowridergmc]

i used bilstiens with shock extenders and it rides very well.rear is lowered 5"[IMG][/IMG]

[lowridergmc]

sorry thats rear is lower 7" front is 5" bilstiens all around.i will look for part numbers i have the bill somewhere

[Tom]

In front I use doestch tech. They ride exellent and last forever, my current set on the 98 has just under 80,000 miles on them. I tried toxic shocks in the past, they are complete garbage. In the rear I use shock extenders and whatever stockers I buy from the parts store.

[ChevLoRay]

Tom, I wanted to get some extenders but was advised not to. Maybe it was just the personal opinion, but they weren't in stock where I was so no biggee. However, I will continue to shop for them and then use 'em when I finally have to toss the BellTech shocks I have ordered and use the Bilstein's I have on-hand. I'm not happy with www.shockwarehouse.com and their return policy. So, I'm just gonna keep 'em and use 'em in the future if at all possible.

I looked at BellTechs' shock extenders and I wish they would show me a picture of them in their installed position.

I agree that ToxicShox are not the best. Nor are the Summit Racing sport truck shocks that I have on it in the rear.

Maybe this post will help others who have questions about what to use and/or where to buy.

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by lowridergmc

sorry thats rear is lower 7" front is 5" bilstiens all around.i will look for part numbers i have the bill somewhere

The part numbers would be good information.....fo sho.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

Tom, I wanted to get some extenders but was advised not to. Maybe it was just the personal opinion, but they weren't in stock where I was so no biggee.

Weird, they must have just not liked them for some reason. There is no reason not to run them....

[ChevLoRay]

Learned a lot about what to buy and what to avoid....just got through with the installation of BellTech Street Performance shocks on the rear, after the fiasco with www.shockwarehouse.com.

What was removed from the rear was a pair of Summit Racings' sport truck shocks that had to be stretched to their max to mount to the 4-inch statically lowered rear of my '96 GMC SWB. The, the Bilsteins were too long, although they were stated by Bilsteins and www.shockwarehouse.com as being correct for suspensions lowered up to 6-inches. Yep, they were too long. Bilstein then said (per www.shockwarehouse.com) that they did not have a shock that would fit, on top of the website stating that they had just found a note that said there might be a problem...really?

So, on Friday I ordered a pair of BellTech's and I am as happy as a pig in mud.

I guess, when we drive lowered vehicles, we need to defer to the people who make stuff that is used to lower them, and follow their advice. It may seem more expensive from the git-go, but I have almost $500 tied up in my shock issue. I still have a pair of Bilstein's, but I'll have to get some extensions to make 'em usable....if I ever decide to go that route...or, maybe I'll sell 'em.

But my bride is gonna love the ride in my truck for the first time since my son brought it back from California in '07.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by lowridergmc

sorry thats rear is lower 7" front is 5" bilstiens all around.i will look for part numbers i have the bill somewhere

Did you ever get a chance to look for part #'s?

[mechanicrob33]

Originally Posted by justpball

What shocks has anyone used after doing a 4/6 drop?

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What size tires are you running with those wheels and are they 8.5 or 9.5? That truck looks awesome dude!!!