Shocking

[DA BIG ONE]

I need to get new front shocks for my burb, but, I have about 180 lbs x-tra weight from bumper/winch hanging out front.

I use HD Bilstein's now (from JK) and wondering if say 7100's may be better, or just stay w/HD's?

[DennisG01]

That's a good question - an extra 180lbs hanging off the front is some good weight. Although, I wonder how much a plow weighs (my guess is a plow is lighter, but not by much)? But a plow hangs further forward so even if it's lighter, it'll have a similar effect. Maybe some people with plows can chime in and tell us how long their shocks last.

As for the 7100's - have you tried calling Bilstein directly? That'd probably be the route I would go - see what they recomend.

[DA BIG ONE]

That's a good question - an extra 180lbs hanging off the front is some good weight. Although, I wonder how much a plow weighs (my guess is a plow is lighter, but not by much)? But a plow hangs further forward so even if it's lighter, it'll have a similar effect. Maybe some people with plows can chime in and tell us how long their shocks last.

As for the 7100's - have you tried calling Bilstein directly? That'd probably be the route I would go - see what they recomend.

I used AirLift's snow plow bump stops they made the truck's ride terrible, so I cut them about halfway it rides far better now.

Yep, thinking 7100's but they only come in sport version, so thinking custom valving in a rebuildable Bilstein shock is way to go.

[FastEddy]

I used to plow with an '80 K30 and an '80 K20 had 90" Meyer, I hit on a deal at Se*rs when they sold "lifetime " shocks, kept receipt and traded them in at end of each plow season, rode fine 3 seasons and were toast at end of plow season. If i remember right it plow was 300#-350#,
1 more thing, 1 day i weighed rear axle, plow up ~400# lighter than plow down, lots of leverage pivoting on front axle, end of 1st post,bye

[DennisG01]

Wow - I never would've guessed a plow would weigh that much!

What are those 7100's? I looked on Bilstein's sight but couldn't find them.

How about using the shocks from a 2500HD or 3500-series truck? I don't know if they'd fit, but the model number is BE5-A405-HO.

[N9Phil]

I have a Western 7 1/2 ft plow on my 88 K1500 and it weighs 540 pounds. I have an 8 ft Hiniker C plow on my 95 k2500 and it weighs 800 pounds.

N9Phil