Just wondering, when do you know that it's time for new shocks? I have a RCSB GMC Sierra and TBH it rides like it has no suspension at all, every little bump vibrates the whole truck and it's very unforgiving overall.

How would one go about testing a shock to see if that's the problem?

Sometimes they will leak or seep from where the piston enters the shock. Thats a sure sign... or, the truck will be very bouncy after you go over a bump. It wont "return" well. Thats why my Bronco does (it needs shocks super bad). After a speed bump or even after I stop, the truck bounces up and down 5,6 times. A lot of the determining factor is the ride... IMO.

My gramps used to jump on and off the bumper of a car, if it bounced up and down, he knew it needed shocks. If it returned quickly and smoothly, he knew the shocks were good to go.... that being said, that was in the 80s :toothless

Well it does do the bounce thing but it's more of a violent motion than anything, very harsh, like you're riding over a cattle guard or something.

I've always tested shocks by shaking the truck. Either up and down by the bumper, or side to side.

If the truck continues to rock back and forth, or bounce up and down, 3 or more times your shocks are probably shot.

If the truck returns and stays still, or bounces slightly once or twice, your shocks are probably alright.

Aside from that, as said above, alot can be seen just by looking at them, if they are covered in oil, or the bushings are all worn out, you should replace them.


Edit: And anyway, shocks are cheap and really easy to install, so if you're truck is 2000 or older, and has original shocks, they could probably use being replaced anyway.

Well the thing is it's only an 05, my bronco (95) still has original shocks and it rides better.


I'm getting my college loan refund next week, what better way to use it all up (nah, I don't need food or books or anything like that) :toothless

Well the thing is it's only an 05, my bronco (95) still has original shocks and it rides better.


I'm getting my college loan refund next week, what better way to use it all up (nah, I don't need food or books or anything like that) :toothless

Being an '05 I'd be surprised if it needed new shocks, but at the same time I suppose it wouldn't surprise me... They don't make shit like they used to.

It also could have been used pretty rough before you got it.

Has it always rode the way you described or does this seem to be recent?? Either way, new shocks cant be bad thing. Like BB92 says, they dont make shite like they used to... my ProComp shocks bit it in about 4 months. Or, maybe the shocks you have are designed for a real stiff ride and some new, softer ones would help that aspect of the ride out...

You know I think it's just gotten worse over time since I've had it (few months), I haven't really noticed a large jump in ride quality but it's gotten to the point where it's getting annoying to feel every single little pebble on the road.

Does it seem to sit real high in the front? If so, your torsion bars are probably cranked up too much. I had a similar problem in my Suburban. It was set for towing and the ride was very harsh when the truck was empty.

No, I don't think it's that, but now that I think about it could it be the fact that the PO dropped the rear 2" with drop shackles and probably used the same shocks?

No, I don't think it's that, but now that I think about it could it be the fact that the PO dropped the rear 2" with drop shackles and probably used the same shocks?

Who drops a truck!?

Anyway, I'd just go with new shocks. Like said before, they're cheap and easy to install.

Who drops a truck!?

Anyway, I'd just go with new shocks. Like said before, they're cheap and easy to install.

He wanted to level it, and instead of lifting the front, he lowered the rear. It looks good :smokin:


I'll look into it.


Any brands?

I think the company that makes most drop kits is Belltech (IDK, the one in Jegs). I know they make drop shocks and they arent very expensive from what I remember. I dropped the rear of an 85 C10 for a friend of mine because his sat too low in the front, even with brand new springs.

I guess my question is this: Will 2" of lowering require a 2" shorter shock? I can only find BEL-221366 (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BEL%2D221366&N=700+4294846476+4294908171+4294907434+4294925130+ 4294919396+4294881945+4294881944+115&autoview=sku) on summitracing that fits that application. The thing that I don't understand is that it says this shock will fit 2-4" of drop. Well...would a normal shock fit 0-2" of drop? Or will it burn up too quick?

Is beltech a good brand of shocks?

I know beltech has been around for years. I used drop shocks & they have held up for more than 3 years of daily abuse so they cant be too bad.

The shocks are shorter than stock units and have a shorter range of travel. Stock units with a drop are compressed more than stock height and bottom out quickly. This does not happen (unless it is under a heavy load) with the drop shocks.

I know beltech has been around for years. I used drop shocks & they have held up for more than 3 years of daily abuse so they cant be too bad.

The shocks are shorter than stock units and have a shorter range of travel. Stock units with a drop are compressed more than stock height and bottom out quickly. This does not happen (unless it is under a heavy load) with the drop shocks.

That's exactly what I was thinking...I just didn't know if the 2" would be that big of a deal or not.

Those beltech's are expensive but I'll keep them in mind.