rough ride after replacement shocks

[shadowhawk]

I replaced my old 70k mile shocks, both front and rear, with Bilsteins. Picked the same Bils 5108 for the front for additional height (same 2.8" adjustment) and Bills on the rear to replace the Fox2.0 I was running. The ride feels like I'm on a hardtail- bumps are far from smooth and some are down right bone jarring. I'm at a loss for why it's so bad. I realize I'm on 35s but still...

Any thoughts from the collective brains?

 

[Dredger]

What you describe is exactly what I would expect to happen back there when you replaced Fox with Bilstein. If you haul heavy or tow a lot, you'd benefit from the Bilstein shocks with a more stable, firmer ride. If you daily drive or even travel off road, I'd personally want the Fox shock with its softer ride and ability to absorb bumps. They're both good shocks but designed for different purposes.

 

[shadowhawk]

I feel more coming off the front than the rear.

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

As for the rear, the valving of the bilsteins is much different than Fox. They are for sure going to feel firmer. As for the front, maybe your last 5100's were shot and they softened up from slowly leaking fluid, so now the new ones feel a lot firmer? Did you get an alignment done? Did you bring it to a shop and they filled your tires with air to too high of a PSI?

At 2.8" are you running stock UCA's still?

 

[CanuckRam1313]

As for the rear, the valving of the bilsteins is much different than Fox. They are for sure going to feel firmer. As for the front, maybe your last 5100's were shot and they softened up from slowly leaking fluid, so now the new ones feel a lot firmer? Did you get an alignment done? Did you bring it to a shop and they filled your tires with air to too high of a PSI?

At 2.8" are you running stock UCA's still?

^^^ THIS!!!

 

[RJL1]

I've run Bilsteins on a few of my previous trucks. Definitely a much firmer ride, maybe even a bit harsh than the shocks I replaced.
On my current 1500 I run the Fox 2.5's in front and 2.0's in back. Much softer and controlled ride. I won't buy anything else again.

 

[shadowhawk]

I swear when I did the work initially there was no discussion about different UCAs. I know Nick has recommended them after my discussion about longevity. I will look into new ucas and then alignment. I have to replace the passenger axle shaft, AGAIN, as it appears to be torn.