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$523 for a set of four OEM replacements at my local GM Medium Duty shop, out the door. Shocking! :)
Originally ordered a set through local repair facility (they sourced through NAPA) but the first set was the wrong size, and after re-ordering 10 days went by without the order being filled...cancelled and went OEM in preparation for an upcoming 5,000 mile thrash...
Bilstein doesn't have an application for your truck? Gotta be less than $500 if they do.
I didn't research Bilstein personally, but the guys that I usually place one phonecall to, and have parts in 24-48hrs were left scratching their head trying to get a set.
Must be an oddball size for the C4500. OEM will have to suffice this time around.
Mark,
Do they use the same chaise on thee motorhomes? I saw listing from P30 on up to P70 IIRC on Campingworld's site.
I suspect you are right. The new ones are on - I'll check the boxes and see if I can cross-reference to a motorhome application shock next time...
All four were shot by 110K...I should have changed them LONG ago!
Koni and Bilstien make a shock for the 4500-5500 trucks. There are a few other upgrades I reead about on the place as well. They mentioned a few RV sites where guys have improved the ride a lot with shocks and springs
The best way to improve the ride of my C4500 flatbed is to put about 4000# of weight on the back of the truck, in the form of pin weight from the gooseneck, or hitch weight (~1500#) from a boat...
The suspension is designed to carry another 2000# per wheel, without it the ride really suffers. If I was setting up a C4500 for a daily driver or show truck, air bags would be my choice.
Next time I'll do my homework in advance and get a set of Bilsteins...
Be careful what you say about those air bags.................... I just had a c-5500 4WD in the shop with the rear air suspension. OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Th ride was terrible!!! It did the truck no favors whatsoever. :(
Was it a complete air bag replacement, or bags over springs? If it was the former...it would seem that some adjustment would result in a reasonably smooth ride, regardless of load?
Admittedly, my experience with 'bagged' C4500s is minimal - just a couple test drives of Monroe conversions. They seemed fine, compared to my truck.
To what would you attribute the harsh ride?
If you ever consider air ride - give this guy a call http://www.keldermanairride.com/
Farmer - tinkerier. He knows his stuff.
It was/ is a REGENCY conversion truck with complete rear air suspension. It has the ability to dump the air to lower the rear for whatever reason.
FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS BUY REGENCY CONVERSION C SERIES TRUCKS!!!
New Topkick owner....buckboard bobtail, found this on the net
http://www.stengelbros.com/LinkCabMate.htm
great price, no idea about install prices or actual ride. It does answer my question...How can I keep from beating myself to death?
Start with your seat. If its the stock OEM peice, consider an upgrade. GM has the 'regular' seat, and an upgrade. Upgrade has lumbar air bag, better adjustment.
I have put over 100,000 on my 2004 C4500 and find the ride to be acceptable. I try to keep it loaded at all times...for my back...and for my wallet. :D
Do you plan to add an auxilary fuel tank, or a refueling tank? 100 gallons (~800#) in the middle of the truck would help the ride...
http://www.transferflow.com/refuelin...imensions.html
Mark
Yes, I have thought about extra fuel..if I could make a trade of the existing tanks 15 and 30gal towards a centerline 100gal I would certainly make the switch...must get priorities right . New year starting slow must watch the bottom line closer.