Softer torsion bars?

[z71HalfTon]

I have 4600’s and have no complaints. What shocks do you have now, the originals? Maybe they do need replacing. But, I’m more inclined to think it’s the 8600 gvw torsion bars.

Yes, there the originals and probably do need replacing lol. But I agree the 8600 gvw bars probably don't help the ride.

 

[Caman96]

It wouldn’t hurt to throw in some softer shocks first just to see.

 

[z71HalfTon]

Do ya'll have any recommendations for softer shocks?

 

[Supercharged111]

I'm gonna jump in here and say softer shocks are stupid. May as well run worn out shocks. I wish I could get a stiffer shock than the 4600 off the shelf. Shocks are valved to a narrow range of spring rate. Going even softer puts them farther out of their operating range with stiff torsion bars. My vote? Install non cranked half ton bars with the 4600 shocks so they have a chance at doing their job. Ever notice how new shocks vs old seem to mute sharp edges bumps? They dampen the impact. One might even go so far as to call them a dampener. . .

 

[Caman96]

I'm gonna jump in here and say softer shocks are stupid.

Totally agree. I’ve been saying all along it’s the 8600 gvw bars that’s the issue.

 

[z71HalfTon]

I'm gonna jump in here and say softer shocks are stupid. May as well run worn out shocks. I wish I could get a stiffer shock than the 4600 off the shelf. Shocks are valved to a narrow range of spring rate. Going even softer puts them farther out of their operating range with stiff torsion bars. My vote? Install non cranked half ton bars with the 4600 shocks so they have a chance at doing their job. Ever notice how new shocks vs old seem to mute sharp edges bumps? They dampen the impact. One might even go so far as to call them a dampener. . .

Thanks for all the info guys. I'll probably install the 4600 and eventually try out halfton bars when I find a pair. If I remember I'll try and post an update on here when I get around to it.

 

[johnny_162]

Any update? My take is that the tires are what makes the ride stiff or not, a stiffer vs a softer sidewall. Half of your suspension is in the tires' sidewall flex.... and being a 2500 it probably has 10 ply, load range E, tires which ride like bricks... try a set of regular 4 plys like you'd put on a half-ton. Also, the lower the profile of the tire, the worse they ride. The yellow Bilstein 4600 with the blue boot are the exact shocks that came with the Z71 RPO code from the factory. I have a 98 Z71 with replaced Bilsteins and 4-ply all-terrain tires, it rides great. In my experience.... softer shocks like ranchos suck, especially on the intestate at 80mph in the mountain passes, or even in town if you're a "spirited" driver on the street. They make your truck all floaty like a 76 Cadillac (not good for performance or towing/hauling in any way) and do very little dampening which would be super unsafe on the interstate if you were to ever tow with it. The Z71 RPO code only had three differences which make it a Z71.... the main feature being the geniune Bilstein shocks, an aluminum skid plate, and then the decals, that's it and that's all there was for a difference from non-Z71s.