What struts to buy...

[SnowBlazer]

I posted this on GMTNation but I also wanted to get you guys' input on whether I should get Bilstein or Monroe struts. I have Mark's 2.5" suspension lift and my struts are getting tired. I want something that will feel luxurious and soft (like I'm driving a cloud) but honestly, I don't do enough off roading to put tight suspension on my truck. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
Ryan

[DirtyBacon04]

1 vote for Bilstein here

[HeavyChevy4200]

If you want a soft ride the Monroe's are the way to go. The blisteins are stiffer than the factory shock. They're not teeth chattering stiff but offer the feel of a truck or solid SUV. The factory shocks felt too much like a minivan to me.

[Cable810]

2 for Bilstein

[Jrgunn5150]

Bilstein, I'm super happy with mine, and my GF has been DD'ing my TB, and she's so happy with the ride she want's one for herself/

[HeavyChevy4200]

Is everyone else missing this part?

" I want something that will feel luxurious and soft (like I'm driving a cloud) but honestly, I don't do enough off roading to put tight suspension on my truck."

[moose1]

i vote for the better suspension and buy tires for the ride you want.

[SnowBlazer]

Is everyone else missing this part?

" I want something that will feel luxurious and soft (like I'm driving a cloud) but honestly, I don't do enough off roading to put tight suspension on my truck."

First off, thanks for all the replies. I should add on to that as well. The thing I'm afraid of with the Bilsten's is that they will be too tight. I have KYB struts on there right now and could go a bit tighter, but I don't want it to feel like my dad's Ranger that feels like the suspension never got broken in.

[HeavyChevy4200]

i vote for the better suspension and buy tires for the ride you want.

What tires do you recommend for soft or stiff road shock absorption?

[Jrgunn5150]

Is everyone else missing this part?

" I want something that will feel luxurious and soft (like I'm driving a cloud) but honestly, I don't do enough off roading to put tight suspension on my truck."

No, I'm not, but this is why I don't post on GMTNation. There was a time when this site was focused on capability, and function, not luxury and form. So this question may be better suited for GMTnation.

But again, my GF is so happy with the ride on my bilstein equipped TB, she want's an Envoy for her next vehicle, with the exact same ride. I've never heard of anyone buying Bilsteins and wishing they hadn't.

[djthumper]

What does that have to do with posting on GMTN?

[Jrgunn5150]

What does that have to do with posting on GMTN?

GMTN is more onroad oriented, people there care more about how thing's look, how comfortable they are, etc etc. The more superficial, or street oriented mod's.

I rarely post there, simply because I have little in common with them. IDC about swapping LED's into my dash, or how to fit 22's. I do care about how to add on board air, or mount a winch...

[v7guy]

The bilstiens are the longest shock we have available to us... unless something has changed in the last couple years, with stock springs you'll find it does an adequate job and will top out the least out of the available shock options . Grabbing a shorter shock will result in topping out more frequently, creating a rougher ride. It may also be of interest to you that throwing a few washers on the shock will further alleviate the topping out issues by effectively lengthening the shock a bit.. too many washers can lead to binding of the CV and upper balljoint and potential destruction of one or both.
Of note, the spring selection has much more to do with the stiffness of the ride than a shock ever thought about. The shock just controls the spring and keeps it from bouncing after it encounters a bump.

[SnowBlazer]

Ok so when I went to buy today I saw a review on the Bilstien 24-103336's saying that they broke and didn't work with this guy's lift. Has anyone here had any similar issues or am I looking at the incorrect part #? Maybe the guy wasn't running Mark's lift? http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B ... ewpoints=0
Ryan

[Jrgunn5150]

Those are the ones (pictured) it say's rear, but the reviews seem to be for the front regardless. There's two guy's on there claiming they snapped them off. IDK how, I certainly haven't had an issue with mine.

[navigator]

the only ones I recall breaking one were running the 89s and Mark's 3" Kit without steel bumpers.

Seems like another guy had one break because he didn't tighten them up properly.
I expect most of the folks on here are running them.

[v7guy]

I broke em running a 3" lift and 89s so they were constantly topping out, ripped the threads out, can't say it was unexpected, happened again even with a giant bumper and a winch.
2.5" lift with 89s is fine, my envoy has been in service with that combo for a few years with no issues.

Basically, don't do a 3" lift with 89 springs and you'll be good.

[Grimor]

I had a monroe front strut break after less than 500 miles with a 2-1/2" lift/level and stock springs


while just driving in the snow....

[v7guy]

Well, in that case, don't get any shocks, they're all going to fail! Just grab some radflos cause everything else is garbage and you're just waiting for impending disaster!

I coulda just said my bilstein failed cause I hit a pothole and the second one failed off-road cause I hit a rock. LOL Sounds horrible right?!?! But my failure was caused by a combo of parts, not a pothole or a rock. I would wager grimors failure was something other than driving in snow.

[Midnyteryder196]

No, I'm not, but this is why I don't post on GMTNation. There was a time when this site was focused on capability, and function, not luxury and form. So this question may be better suited for GMTnation.

and another reason why i dont post on here very much at all.. just because someone doesnt go out and thrash their ride like you do isnt no reason to dismiss them or their questions.. some of us dont have "trails" to go on.. and yes some of us are out for more looks.. either way we all are apart of the same family and we should respect and help each other out even if we have different goals..

Especially since the platform is at least 7 years an older, there will be quite a few newer owners who may not wanna sacrifice luxury and form, but still want capability and function..

not saying you meant anything by it.. but it just comes across that if we are not down for any hardcore wheeling then we shouldn't be here..

just my .02