Shocks for towing?

[da_raabi]

Looking for recommendations on shocks for towing. I'd like to replace the full set on my 86 crew dooley but don't know which ones are best. I'd assume Bilstein but honestly I have no idea. Thanks!

 

[Driver4r]

For towing, ide run some overloads, or a set of coilovers. And rig up a set of helper bags to level the truck out when pulling.

 

[77 K20]

On my '78 K10 I ran bilsteins when I was at a stock height and thought they were pretty good. Then when I lifted it I had a full set of the Rancho 9000's. I liked those a lot better.

Why? Because with some trial and error I figured out what settings I liked the best. They have a thumbscrew on them that you can change the stock's stiffness with. 1= soft and 9=firm.

I wrote down the settings I liked. Towing on dirt roads. Towing on "normal" paved roads. Running empty (not towing), and towing on the horrible concrete interstate (slabs were shifting so your tires sound like a basketball).

I didn't exactly like crawing under the truck to adjust them by hand (especially if it was raining). For more money they did make a small compressor so you could adjust them from in cab, but I never got around to buying that.

 

[HotRodPC]

Personally, I would NOT do Coil Overs. You should not be trying to increase carrying capacity by a small shock stud. Let the springs do that. Or add overload leafs, or air bags. Just use a good quality gas charged shock to keep the tire on the ground and control the bounce, but don't be looking to increase weight via shock mounts. JMO Take it or leave it. Won't hurt my feelings a bit.

 

[77 K20]

Being that he already has a 1 ton I can't imagine his truck is squatting much....

What are you typically going to be towing?

 

[HotRodPC]

Being that he already has a 1 ton I can't imagine his truck is squatting much....

What are you typically going to be towing?

Right, I was thinking the same thing. Wasn't it you 77 K20, that has the broken frame at the shock mount??? This is why you wouldn't want to use shocks to increase your load capacity.

 

[77 K20]

Right, I was thinking the same thing. Wasn't it you 77 K20, that has the broken frame at the shock mount??? This is why you wouldn't want to use shocks to increase your load capacity.

Nope- wasn't me, but I have heard of that happening.

 

[da_raabi]

I ended up getting a set of Rancho 9000XLs. I like them a lot, they smoothed out the ride and the adjust-ability is nice. I'll be getting another set for the front here soon! Thanks for the info guys!

 

[77 K20]

Glad to hear you like them.