I have gone round and round with Lifts....

[Cable810]

As the subject implies I have gone round and round trying to figure out what lift is the best. From the start I was gunna get Rough Country Leveling kit, then I found something else(might have been Marks), Suspension Maxx, then found Truxx, then BDS . After reading more on BDS and the warrenty issues and chatting with Hardtrailz it seems that Marks kit is the better way to go. I'm still unsure though. I know more people are running Marks kit Vs BDS kit.


Then the Issue of rear shocks arises. BDS 5500 I read have a tendency to leak and again with there warrenty issue. I read this viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1747 And it seems that Skyjacker, Ranco, or Pro Comp seem to be a better alternative. Only downside is that I have to put some spacers on the bottom where the shock mount to the truck. I just want to make sure that I'm right about the Spacer. I know that our truck will need atleast a 25-28" fully extended shock and about 14-17" fully compressed. Again I want to make sure I have that right.

I'm not going to be adding Z71 rear springs. Everything will be stock execpt for the Lift Spacers.

I hope I made this as clear as possiable.
Help

[Flying Monkey]

I have to say go with Marks. Im running it and have NO issues. Im also running the BDS shocks with NO issues. I went with 87 front springs and Z71 rear springs with Marks front and rear lift so Im a bit higher then you will be. But again, NO issues other then having to replace my CV axles. Of course they were the factory axles and had around 170k miles on them so they were bound to fail. Also if you go with wheels spacers (which youll need to for any large size tires) go with marks as well.

[Cable810]

I have heard of 3 problems with BDS 5500 shocks being leaky. BDS seems to be the rear shock of choice for our platform. Is there any where I can get them cheaper than 48 a shock?

[djthumper]

Funny that you come over here and ask Cable. You are pretty much going to get the same answers. The shocks you see listed are pretty much all of them that will work with and without the Z71s.

[Trail X]

...After reading more on BDS and the warrenty issues...

Warranty issues?! What warranty issues...?

[janesy86]

Really you can go with any shock that is meant for a lifted Tahoe, just keep in mind you will have to shim the lower mount with some washers... BDS just is really the only company that lists shocks for this platform, that are longer, and they supply a shim (instead of having to use washers) for each side of the lower mount.

Had BDS, mine the seals were leaking a good amount, so I'm running ProComps right now, unsure of the # at the moment. So far have been holding up great, and I believe I got em for like $70 shipped at the time.

And MarkMC FTW! Great products and customer service. Can't go wrong.

[navigator]

I only recall a couple of instances of issues with the BDS shocks and I think those guys both had the Z71 springs and a spacer, maybe even spacer top and bottom.

I have the Skyjacker H8030s, I think I used 16 grade 8 7/16 washers per side.
Looking back though I wonder if I could have pressed out the sleeve out of my original shock and pressed it into the Skyjacker shock.

[Cable810]

I guess(from what I read) that the Shocks are covered under a 1 year limited warrenty and I don't have the money to spend 50 bucks on BDS Schocks and have something go wrong with the shocks and they not want to replace it.......

I know I'm going to get the same answer but more people overe here are more experienced in our trucks offroading.

[Flying Monkey]

Shocks are a wear item. The more you beat on them the faster they will wear out. Ive had mine on for somewhere around a year. They have taken a beating off road and on road due to heavy road construction all over here. Last weekend when I was "attempting" to loosen the rear diff fill plug, I inspected the rear suspension and not a leak anywhere in shocks. I wont hesitate to buy them again when it comes time

[plaen]

Looking back though I wonder if I could have pressed out the sleeve out of my original shock and pressed it into the Skyjacker shock.

That's what I did, they fit perfectly, although the rubber is molded around the oems bushing, so I had to cut the rubber off.

[Trail X]

I guess(from what I read) that the Shocks are covered under a 1 year limited warrenty and I don't have the money to spend 50 bucks on BDS Schocks and have something go wrong with the shocks and they not want to replace it.......

I think your worry is unnecessary. All shocks wear out eventually.

Now for the tough love - if you can't afford $50 for shocks, you need to save before you start throwing money into your truck.

[djthumper]

I guess(from what I read) that the Shocks are covered under a 1 year limited warrenty and I don't have the money to spend 50 bucks on BDS Schocks and have something go wrong with the shocks and they not want to replace it.......

I know I'm going to get the same answer but more people overe here are more experienced in our trucks offroading.

I spent $83 for both of my Skyjackers.

Yes we have more experience but we also don't hold your hand through the process if it is already out there. You will get a lot of tough love.

[Cable810]

I don't expect you to hold my hand. I'd rather you not I can afford the shocks, I just can't afford for them to be defective and BDS not replace them. Thats where I can't afford it.

[Trail X]

If it is defective, they will replace it. If it wears out extremely fast, I understand they will work with you in some way. If it wears out normally, well... that's expected.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Bfd seem to be the only shocks anyone has leak issues with. I wont buy from them.

No fine print warranty...unless it is a wear part. Sure seems like fine print to me.

Did anyone with leaking bds shocks get them to work with you?

[fishsticks]

Good grief.

BDS uses white body shocks, most likely made by Gabriel.

So does Pro Comp.

So does SkyJacker.

So does Rancho.

So does Superlift.


My BDS shocks seep a little bit around the seals. The eye bushings in them are also about 1/4" bigger than they should be now. Why?

Because I beat the piss out of them.

I could show any of you 10 pictures of leaking white body shocks, without stickers/hardware, and I bet $100 none of you could tell who "made" them. They are all the same.

You guys are talking about cheap shocks. Expect them to leak, rust(really? who the //// cares?) or whatever if you pound on them. Has anyone bent a shaft? No? Good. That means they're working as intended.

BDS is nice enough to include the hardware to make the shocks fit. You'll spend $5-10 at the hardware store anyways with the cheaper ones. There's really no difference.

They're also nice enough to have a presence here. I don't see any reps from the above mentioned vendors here.



If you guys want to debate high-end shocks, that's fine. But the bashing of quality on a "bare minimum to make it work" product is lame.

[DirtyBacon04]

FISHSTICKS SMASH!!!

[plaen]

FISHSTICKS SMASH!!!

I agree with this and said comments by fish, if a shock doesn't cost over 100 each, not worth complaining that the company won't fix it. My 02 runs white body procomps, at 37 each, I don't expect them to last longer than 15-20k. When one wears out, even if its 3k miles, ill just go buy another.

I believe it was Roadie that said its not wise to lift and wheel a tb unless you have a liquid budget for repairs, as there will be failures.

[Cable810]

I just came across Ready Lifts Lift for our trucks. I read teebes write up on it and it seems to be a good lift. I don't know why they market it as a lift for the SS? http://www.readylift.com/c-196-chevy-tr ... 0f10r.aspx Thoughts?

[The Roadie]

I just came across Ready Lifts Lift for our trucks. I read teebes write up on it and it seems to be a good lift. I don't know why they market it as a lift for the SS? http://www.readylift.com/c-196-chevy-tr ... 0f10r.aspx Thoughts?

ReadyLifts are only acceptable for 2WD. Do NOT use them for 4WD, as they overextend the struts and damage the inner CV joints. I see no marketing for the Trailblazer SS, unless you thought the ReadyLift "SST" model name meant something. It doesn't. Don't buy it if you intend to use it anywhere off pavement.