BDS 9500

[irishboy02]

Initial pictures and measurements to use as a comparison


24" eye to eye (still compressed from packaging)


5/8" shaft



16"x2" body


OEM bilsteins fully extended vs. BDS 9500s (still compressed from packaging)

[irishboy02]

This is my truck with the OEM bilsteins still connected. I have the "z71" springs with Markmc's spacer (gray thing under springs)


Full extension of OEM shocks

I then unpackaged all the necessary hardware, which comes included with the shock. This hardware allows you to match the OEM mounts perfect




(thats wd40 on the shock, bolts were a little stiff)

Once i slipped the hardware into the appropriate eye holes ( they line up just like the stock ones do ) i mounted the upper shock mount


I did not have the truck jacked up at all, just left it sitting on all 4 tires during install. Once the Upper mount was in, i decided i would measure and see how much i was off from the lower mount. You can see that i have still not taken of the wire which keeps it compressed for inside the packaging.

^^^ that is still with the shock compressed

[irishboy02]

It was then time to release the shock to let it open up. Well, this next picture will be pretty self explanitory on shock travel. This is at shock full extenison. Ihave the z71 rear with Mark's 2.5 spacer in the rear with 31" tires (245/70r17)



^^ and just to clarify, the bottom eye IS touching the ground


I purchased them at Harringtons speed shop, on rt23 in Butler, NJ for $111/ea. The ride is amazing now. I was driving over curbs (intentionally ) on my way home from work and i was just floating over them no problem, hardly even knew i hit them. I do not recommend doing what i did but i was really excited and wanted to try them out.

Props to BDS for these. They really did their homework on this set, ride quality and strength is amazing. Im beyond happy with this purchase and i HIGHLY recommend this purchase to anyone who is debating it. You will not regret it garaunteed

[MrSmithsTB]

Damn, Brendan. Knowing you, I'd suggest getting a pair of U bolts from an S10 flip kit and use them to strap the spacer and spring to the axle. Otherwise you might lose something

[Gordinho80]

Nice. They look good.

As far as the mall cruising over curbs...

Now, along the lines of what Bot said, I'd jack up one side of the back and see if you get any kind of play in the spring/spacer combo. Not likely, but you never know. I would suggest using a nice grade 8 bolt through the bottom spring perch and some steel over the first ring of the spring to hold it down, but Mark's spacer is solid, so that won't work... U bolts might...

[Zero]

awesome write up ! Things are looking awesome. Makes me hate my tahoe shocks even more

[Trail X]

What is the extended eye-to-eye length difference between your stockers and the new BDS?

[MrSmithsTB]

What is the extended eye-to-eye length difference between your stockers and the new BDS?

X2. If I had to guess based on the provided images, I'd say about 6"

[bgwolfpack]

Damn those are sweet. Can't wait to see pics of your truck with decent rear travel.

I like the exhaust also.

[Trail X]

I like the exhaust also.

Didn't he used to have dual fartcans?

[irishboy02]

I like the exhaust also.

Didn't he used to have dual fartcans?

I used to have the magnaflow dual kit from when i was lowered. With new need for groundclearance, the resinators hung way to low for my liking, so i hacked them off, leaving me with a magnaflow muffler and piping. Once i complete my bodylift, i am going to complete the piping with 3.5" slashed tips to the sides to sit flush with the bumper .

I dont even know why i didnt measure that. Ill get on that one tomorrow morning, i have work at 3

[Mooseknuckle]

I told you you would love them!

[Zero]

damn it , I WANT MY OWN!!!

[bgwolfpack]

Too bad there isn't some type of promotional discount going on now for them.

[janesy86]

Well I can tell you guys that the 5500's are also awesome, or atleast 10x better than the Z71 tahoe POS... and at $110 total, I can't complain. But those 9500's are certainly sexy.

[foosh]

I wonder if we could arrange a gb from bds...

[bgwolfpack]

I wonder if we could arrange a gb from bds...

Either set might work. 5500s would be the best gb IMO.

Although we would be pushing are hand in early, who isn't going to buy one set or the other?

[foosh]

I'm down for 5500's... but i understand that Brendan got the right valving but the wrong body somehow, i want his body

[janesy86]

Why those are the same body that Mooseknuckle's got.. and the Roadie. Thats just what they look like.

[bgwolfpack]

I'm down for 5500's... but i understand that Brendan got the right valving but the wrong body somehow, i want his body

What do you mean wrong body? Wrong being too long?