Has anyone tried these out yet? A Bilstein Shock with Firestone air leveling built-in.



http://www.truckspring.com/firestone...stem-1004.html

 

I cannot even consider the real need for something like that. I have had my front axle at and above the GAWR and have never seen it compress more than 1/2"...

 

It is way past time for replacing my stock shocks, so I was shopping around for prices on Bilsteins when I came across those. With the RanchHand full bumper I have I was thinking these MIGHT be a good idea especially since I might be going to larger tires at the same time, depending on how my tax situation turns out this year. These seem to be airbags on top of a shock rather than air-shocks. Thus I could level the front as much or as little as I want without affecting the shock action.

 

Interesting...wonder what happens when you have a shock fail or bag go out on the shock? Is it still drivable?

Seems like a great idea wonder how much it would improve the ride quality.

 

I think you would have to spring for the Firestone Level Command to be able to use the shocks to their full potential.

Manually filling them and checking the pressure without the in cab gauge would get old real quick.

Other than that they seem like a great idea.

 

Hmmm... I guess I'll be the naysayer here.

The truck is designed to ride with the weight on the spring mounts. This transfers more weight to the shock mounts. How much weight can the shock mounts take?

 

Very good point.. And like I said before, within the Front GAWR the springs just don't compress. If you're comressing 1-2" then you are probably over the GAWR.

 

I have installed a set for a buddy. We took those shocks out and replaced with bilsteins 5100's. Works killer. He has a HUGE 11 foot slide in camper and uses it to level the truck.

 

Has he weighed his front axle? I would bet he is over the Front GAWR.

 

All that weight on a little bitty bolt in the front...

Imagine sailing down the highway overloaded and hit a bump... The front shock mounts usually don't have a lot of force on them, but now you have hundreds of pounds of weight on those little bolts... and one side breaks....

Truck dips on one side, gives a bit of lean and fish tales a bit, body roll begins and there you are upside down in the ditch.