Looking to lower the 03

[WhitE03]

Im new to the board, i have a thread in the new member section if u wanna know more about the truck or see pics.

but i recently put on 22" wheels and now im lookin to close the gap alittle...im like 95% set on getting the intrax springs...what im unsure about is the shocks...how come no one makes shocks for the 03-06 model...the only ones i can find are the Bilsteins, but from some info ive read they are too stiff...so my questions are

Are there any other shocks out there?
Do i even need new shocks for a 1.8" drop?
Any personal Expeirences with the Bilsteins?
How come we cant go lower then 2"?
and do i need an Alignment kit?


thanks in advance for the help

 

[pronstar]

Lower springs typically have an increased spring rate, so a stiffer shock will keep things from getting bouncy.

But my truck is a 97 so I'm not certain what the shock valving is like for the newer trucks.

I can tell you that Eibach Sportlines gave me a 2" drop in front, and the regular Bilsteins didn't cut it so I went with Lightning-spec Bilsteins. They still don't have quite enough damping but I'm not keen on getting another set of shocks at this point.

 

[WhitE03]

so ur sayin even tho the bilstiens are considered too stiff its better then havin the ride bouncy?
i guess it will handle a hell of alot better like that tho...no body roll...ill just have to tolerate a sore spine haha

 

[lakmflx]

Your 22' wheels im sure made the ride a bit bouncier too.. Am i correct?

 

[WhitE03]

if anything it made it rougher...i feel every single pebble on the road now...dont notice to much bouncing tho

 

[lakmflx]

Good to know.. I have heard from several people with 20's, 22's and they have told me that it made the ride bouncier, maybe they meant rougher... Wonder how the ride will be on 26's hmmm

 

[ELVATO]

I always thought that bigger rims=thinner tires, and that thinner tires meant less tire sidewall to absorb bumps.

 

[WhitE03]

isnt that what it is? maybe every one has a different definition of bouncy, stiff, rough, etc. all i know is with the bigger wheels it drives the same suspension wise but i feel every single pebble and crack in the road...but its nothing i cant tolerate

 

[pronstar]

Elvato is correct, the ride is worse because of the tires.

Just be aware that the ride will likely get even worse with lowering springs.

The spring rate is typcailly increased with lowering springs, otherwise you'd be more likely to bottom-out the suspension on the bumptsops due to the loss in wheel travel.

I'd run it with the shock you have now, and if you bounce over bumps then try a more-firm shock.