Shock Options that don't require new springs?

[OffroadTreks]

Are there any better options outside of Bilstein 5100's that don't require me to replace the front and rear springs? Seems like the deal over at Thuren even with the overland kit is replace the springs. And I'm not ready to go full tilt on the Thuren King 2.5 system, especially with the whole "will sag like a 1500", considering I tow quit a bit.

Not sure I'm looking in the right places, DOR, CJC, Strapt, Thuren... Or maybe I just need to reach out.

I am thinking in another year I'll move up to 37's and a full package. But right now, I'm looking for an intermediate step.

[Allen8511]

I had that very same question awhile ago. So I emailed Thuren, who replied that they could throw some tuned Kings at the truck.

Personally, I wish we had more options for improving the quality of wheel travel at the stock height. Meaning, high performance quality shocks that are valved for our trucks. If I go with this option I'm going to also install the Boogie Bump Stops.

[DamageWagon]

Mike, springs are not a requirement for shocks. There is absolutely no requirement to swap springs. The performance shocks like Thurens and his lighter springs are meant to work together, but in the flip side there are lots of guys running stock 2500/3500 springs with Kings. Since you have a radius arm truck, it's kind of a good and bad thing wrapped together. What this means is that you can't go too far with front shocks (you can run pintop 2.5's max), but it also means that you can get those shocks right now and run with what you have.

What you could do is to buy 2.5 Kings, and tell Don they will be valved for stock PW springs. Then later on down the road when you put in different springs, call Don and tell him you swapped springs and want to revalve and he will get you a new valving profile for the new springs.

I would go straight to 2.5's. It's a different world. The difference is in every aspect. You can make small bumps smoother, have more resistance on big hits, and less shock stiction all in one valving. My Kings float on the street and are almost impossible to get to the bottom of off-road without jumping (although mine are a little more than what can be done on the radius trucks). Just a suggestion


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[OffroadTreks]

Mike, springs are not a requirement for shocks. There is absolutely no requirement to swap springs. The performance shocks like Thurens and his lighter springs are meant to work together, but in the flip side there are lots of guys running stock 2500/3500 springs with Kings. Since you have a radius arm truck, it's kind of a good and bad thing wrapped together. What this means is that you can't go too far with front shocks (you can run pintop 2.5's max), but it also means that you can get those shocks right now and run with what you have.

What you could do is to buy 2.5 Kings, and tell Don they will be valved for stock PW springs. Then later on down the road when you put in different springs, call Don and tell him you swapped springs and want to revalve and he will get you a new valving profile for the new springs.

I would go straight to 2.5's. It's a different world. The difference is in every aspect. You can make small bumps smoother, have more resistance on big hits, and less shock stiction all in one valving. My Kings float on the street and are almost impossible to get to the bottom of off-road without jumping (although mine are a little more than what can be done on the radius trucks). Just a suggestion

Thanks, this clears some things up for me.

[olyelr]

Just go here, start clicking on all the upgrades and be done with it https://www.thurenfabrication.com/produ ... -2500.html

Of course, order a set of airlift bags and daystar cradles while your at it.

[TwinStick]

I have heard good things, and zero bad things, about Thurens "Overland" shocks. Hard to beat the price.

https://www.thurenfabrication.com/produ ... -2053.html
https://www.thurenfabrication.com/produ ... -2013.html

[Reloaderguy]

Power Wagon Springs and Thuren Hemi springs have have almost the same spring rate. Thuren rear coils are diesel coils.

[OffroadTreks]

I'll just hit up Don directly. I was mostly concerned about changing things that end up better offroad but then have me dragging my 880lb trailer tongue.

[DamageWagon]

Mike, you can't go wrong talking with Don. He is the man, and just a cool dude to boot.

Not sure what the weight reduction is for PW's. Might even be a payload increase.


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[Rodeoflyer]

Power Wagon Springs and Thuren Hemi springs have have almost the same spring rate. Thuren rear coils are diesel coils.

And that's good to know from someone who has them. I coughed up for the 1.5'' Truxx spacer lift and haven't installed it yet. I'm still rolling around the idea of installing it or Thuren's gas springs. Now I'm just considering a set of 2.5 Kings and the spacer lift on stock pw springs. I have no problem with the stiffness of the stock springs. As a matter of fact I think the truck rides quite nicely on the stock springs.

[OffroadTreks]

Well, shit I don't know where I read it now. I thought I read that the Thuren coils were softer than the PW springs and thus sagged when loaded. Guess I read wrong or was confused. Oh well. Thanks for the input.

[olyelr]

Well, shit I don't know where I read it now. I thought I read that the Thuren coils were softer than the PW springs and thus sagged when loaded. Guess I read wrong or was confused. Oh well. Thanks for the input.

I have read that too. I think he has that right on his site. Sometimes I think what he has written in his PW section comes straight from the regular 2500 section.

[olyelr]

This is copied from the PW section off his site...

"The included rear coils springs are quite a bit softer than stock. The ride quality and suspension travel benefit also comes with the drawback of more sag when weight is in the bed, or vertical on the hitch. The rear suspension with our coils will sag with weight similar to a 1/2 ton truck.

Wheel travel is increased about 20% in the front, and 30% in the rear. Massive improvement in off-road control."

I have a feeling it came straight from his regular 2500 section.

[Rodeoflyer]

I have the same feeling. If there wasn't much of difference in rate or type (both linear rate) I presume he wouldn't sell as many spring kits.

[olyelr]

I have the same feeling. If there wasn't much of difference in rate or type (both linear rate) I presume he wouldn't sell as many spring kits.

Well, even if they were the same rate, or close to it, I would eventually still like to get them because they are a bit longer (at least the fronts).

I'm with you on the ride quality of the stock springs... they are plenty acceptable for me. Thats why I went the spacer route for the time being to get rid of the rake... but it just seems so half assed lol.

[Reloaderguy]

I don't think anyone makes a hemi specific rear lift coil.

[olyelr]

I don't think anyone makes a hemi specific rear lift coil.

Well, come to think of it, why would the rear's be cummin's or hemi specific in the first place? The only reason why there are different ones for the two engines is because of the drastic weight difference.... which obviously doesn't amount to much in the rear. I wonder if the factory coils in the rear of regular 2500's are the same regardless of motor?

[olyelr]

But AEV says there are 564248854224875337 different springs from the factory.

Your way off... it is 564248854224875342.

[DamageWagon]

But AEV says there are 564248854224875337 different springs from the factory.

Your way off... it is 564248854224875342.

This is why AEV only adds to the factory suspension. It would be foolish to change anything at all. The factory got it dead on from the start, and there's no way to improve it. You just need a little bit more height, that's all.


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[thedriver21]

I would go with the thuren overland shocks if you dont want to use new coils. I just put them on my truck, great shocks for the money so far.

[olyelr]

This is why AEV only adds to the factory suspension. It would be foolish to change anything at all. The factory got it dead on from the start, and there's no way to improve it. You just need a little bit more height, that's all.


Sent from my safe space

Honestly, I am thoroughly happy with the factory PW suspension under my truck. Sure, Thuren upgrades and Kings would definitely be a warm welcome, but I think the stock suspension is plenty adequate for my usage. About the only grip I have is that odd wobbly feel when hitting big bumps or hard turns, which I am pretty confident Thurens rear trackbar upgrade would remedy. I dont like the factory rake either, but I understand that.

I still cant get Thurens Overland kit off my radar, though

[DamageWagon]

Olyelr I was kidding bud, I hate the AEV stuff for what they charge. Haha I love the factory suspension. It feels very balanced, which is a great change coming from owning a few diesels that didn't. I have only gone a hundred yards in the new trucks but I can say for sure, the wildest thing I've experienced in my truck is hitting just the right expansion joint at 70mph, the truck jumping up sideways and "hanging" on the front Trackbar for a moment, driving almost at an angle. That was a scary experience. Thought the rear wheels were going to start skidding. Replacing sagged springs and putting Kings on made sure that hasn't happened again.


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[Rodeoflyer]

I think a set of king 2.5's valved for the stock setup would be a huge upgrade. I've always swapped the factory shocks on my vehicles shortly after buying them. Most factory dampers suck. Replacement shocks were the first thing I planned to do to the truck but after driving it awhile I've been really happy with the stock suspension dynamics. The Bilstein's aren't bad factory shocks. I had ranchos on my last truck from the factory. They were completely shot in 30k miles.

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[olyelr]

Olyelr I was kidding bud...

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Yea I caught the sarcasm.

[Reloaderguy]

Last weekend I took the family exploring some lesser known Oregon sights. Two kids in the back and the wife in the front seat...70mph down 40 miles of washboards, across cattle guards at full speed. The kids slept through it all. 37's, Kings, and Boogies really reward speed. Just stomp on the gas and plow through the bumps, they just disappear.

Unrelated but the truck will do 120mph in 4th gear, if you were wondering.