diference between 2WD and 4WD Bilstein shocks?

[reserved50]

 

[gijoecam]

I can't speak for whether or not Bilstein changes their valving for one or the other, but I do know that the front shocks' lower bodies are different... the 4x4 uses a long stud instead of a hollow tube to clear the front halfshaft.

-Joe

 

[reserved50]

hmmm, yea because the Monroe site lists all the rears as the same, I'm guessing its heavier valving for the 4x4 without seeing it.

http://catalog.tenneco.com/monroe/eCatalog.do

http://www.monroe.com/catalog_lookup/ocl_default.asp
Miscellaneous Application Information
The attached PDF's provide support information to help you confirm that the Monroe part number listed for your application meets the desired style and length.

 

[celly]

hmmm, yea because the Monroe site lists all the rears as the same, I'm guessing its heavier valving for the 4x4 without seeing it.

When I had Monroe Reflex put on my old 4WD Sport, they ordered me different shocks for front and rear.

I've got Bilsteins on my Eddie Bauer. Superb shock.

 

[gijoecam]

Can't speak for the Bilsteins, but according to Joe in Tech Support at Tenneco (Monroe), when I spoke with him about it a few years ago, he told me that the valving in the Rancho RSXs is the same for both the 2wd and the 4wd models, with the only difference being in the body as I mentioned before. The 4x4 shocks will work fine on a 2wd truck, but not the other way around as the standard 2wd shock body will make contact with the halfshaft.

-Joe

 

[jgkurz]

I've got Bilsteins on my Eddie Bauer. Superb shock.

Celly, By "superb" do you mean street ride quality or off road capability?

I have a 2001 Eddie Bauer with load leveling that my wife won't hardly drive because it's so rough. Since my driving is 99% city pavement, I plan on disabling the load leveling and installing either Bilsteins or Monroe Sensa-Tracs for a better ride.

This all assumes I can remove the factory load leveling shocks and install regular shocks.

Thanks!

 

[CDW6212R]

I have been pleased with my rebuilt 99 Limited so far. I added the rear load leveling(ARC system), and the rear is not as harsh as my now old Edelbrock shocks in my 98 Mountaineer. I have 4WD Reflex shocks in front, they are firm like I wanted it to feel.

I would recommend buying just the front shocks from Bilstein. Do inspect your rear air shocks carefully, they may be leaking or otherwise not right. You can buy new shocks like them for about $25 each plus shipping. A vendor in Canada has a very large supply of factory rear ARC shocks, they will work for 95-01 models. Good luck,