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MrGone

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
For the fronts I jacked up the truck and removed the tires, the rears I left the truck on the ground and removed the spare tire. It didn't take very long to have all four corners changed.

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removing the stocker
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157,400 and the stockers aren't blown, I'm impressed.
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installing the Bilstein
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Fronts done
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Rears done
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The ride characteristics didn't change much, but it feels more connected to the road which is nice and it settles after bumps like it's new again. I kind of wish I went with the Koni's but I'm happy with the Bilsteins.

I purchased them from www.shox.com, I was very surprised at their outstanding customer service.
 
The Koni's wouldn't have provided you with anything more. Less perhaps, but not more.

Did you take down the rear spare during the install? Sorta looks like it.

The old shocks may not have been "blown", however internally they were certain to be dead. Even a dead shock is really tough to compress by hand. Put it on the vehicle and the weight in accordance with the proper engineered location creating the maximum compression and a stock Durango shock with even two years on it's effective shot.

The overall characteristic changed you mentioned looking for really wouldn't change much. On my full time 4x4, the rear end would hop around on rough roads at speed. With good shocks in place, that doesn't happen. It's the small things like that where you'll experience a "characteristic" change? a change back to normal, making it harder to feel overall because it's just 'right' at that point.

While I haven't yet done this myself, reportedly? couple your new Bil Shocks with a new sway bar setup from Hotchkis and you should really feel the additional positive characteristics you seek.

Good luck, nice write up, LOVE the pictures, and kudos for the great effort coming from a new forum user. :clap: :lol:

IndyDurango
 
Yes nice Install pictures
Welcome aboard
Steve
DOC Pres
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Thanks!

I've used Koni's in the past on other cars and have been extremely happy with them and have fun with being able to adjust the rebound but decided to save some money this time and not have the temptation to constantly toy with the front end so I went with the Bilsteins.

I'm thinking about ordering a set of Addco sways in the coming months, it's not really a high priority but I know I'd enjoy them (I just don't necessarily need an SUV that gives the illusion of handling well ;) and have other priorities at the moment).
 
What year is this Durango? Just an observation on my 03, that my rear shocks are mounted with one in the back of the axle and one in the front of the axle. I wonder what year they changed the setup? I'm betting it was done to try and minimize that famous rear wheelhop over bumps during cornering?
 
Wow another difference in fitment that we never noticed on the 03's
Steve
DOC Pres
 
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