90 GMC Sierra1500 SLE Shortbed Stepside shocks

[90gmcsierraL59]

I am looking to replace the shocks on my 90. I put Gabriel Striders from Autozone on it shortly after I bought it in 04 with 99K on it. I am now at 258K and since installing the topper I have started noticing some body sway and buffeting in high winds that I never felt before. I am leaning towards Bilstein 4600s after reading several threads on here. My truck is stock ride height and will remain so. I want a good handling firm ride but I do use this truck exclusively on road and lots of highway driving so I value comfort as well. The only towing I do is my annual trip to East Tennessee with three bikes on my bike trailer and the bed full of tools and parts. Looking for advice as to if the Bilsteins will foot the bill. Thanks in advance.

 

[df2x4]

I am leaning towards Bilstein 4600s after reading several threads on here.

That would be my recommendation. I've been running them on both of my '97s (C1500 and K1500) for years now and I've been very happy with them.

 

[Ace17]

Yep I second the Bilstein 4600s. I'm running them on my 88' k1500 and I'm lovin' em.

 

[90gmcsierraL59]

Excellent. Thanks!

 

[Road Trip]

I am looking to replace the shocks on my 90. I put Gabriel Striders from Autozone on it shortly after I bought it in 04 with 99K on it. I am now at 258K and since installing the topper I have started noticing some body sway and buffeting in high winds that I never felt before. I am leaning towards Bilstein 4600s after reading several threads on here.

I upgraded to the Bilsteins last year, and after living with them since then
I find that they made a sizable improvement in vehicle dynamics, especially
when asking the truck to do more than 1 thing at a time on less than
perfect roads. (Turn while braking, accelerating through a cloverleaf in
order to merge with traffic, etc.)

While you are at it, I'd recommend that you also give your front
anti-sway bar bushings a good look, and if they are anything like mine
were (LINK) then don't hesitate to renew the bushings with something
like the MOOG Problem Solvers I mentioned.

Doing both at the same time should make a marked improvement in
the 'body sway & buffeting' you described. No kidding, this should
make the lanes on the Interstate feel a lot wider than before.

For what it's worth --

 

[Orpedcrow]

B4600s are the way to go. Excellent shock absorber with an excellent build quality.

 

[Shane B]

I put them on my 95 2500 suburban and they made a HUGE improvement in the way the burb handled.

 

[OhU8one2]

I am looking to replace the shocks on my 90. I put Gabriel Striders from Autozone on it shortly after I bought it in 04 with 99K on it. I am now at 258K and since installing the topper I have started noticing some body sway and buffeting in high winds that I never felt before. I am leaning towards Bilstein 4600s after reading several threads on here. My truck is stock ride height and will remain so. I want a good handling firm ride but I do use this truck exclusively on road and lots of highway driving so I value comfort as well. The only towing I do is my annual trip to East Tennessee with three bikes on my bike trailer and the bed full of tools and parts. Looking for advice as to if the Bilsteins will foot the bill. Thanks in advance.

With GM putting Bilstein's on the Z71 models you really can't go wrong. KYB gas would be my second choice.

 

[90gmcsierraL59]

I took the plunge today and ordered a set of Bilstein 4600s from Rock Auto. They will be here in a week.

 

[90gmcsierraL59]

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Limited time today but I did manage to get the LH rear shock removed and replaced. It took extensions and a wiggle socket with my butterfly impact to get the top bolts and nuts after a generous application of PB Blaster as the shocks have been on there 20 years. One down and three to go.

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It is quite tight up in there.