Tremor Rear Shock Options

[FaKtor34]

I have a month from today when i need new rear shocks installed. No level kit, same size tires etc. sounds to me I have two choices Bilstein5165 or vertex?

It depends on intended use, but to closely match the exact extended and collapsed lengths yes or fox also has universal valving shocks that are a close match as do maybe a few more if you dig but again they are universal valving which might be lighter or stiffer depending on manufacturer. But the Eibach, Bilstein 5160 and others that are designed for the f150 are close enough that unless you push it hard offroading it really won't matter much. For the average person those will work. The problem is if you push it offroading you may overextend the shock etc causing premature failure. You know how hard you push it so I can't say for certain what will work for you. For me those are the only 2 I would consider with a strong leaning towards the 5165.

 

[Cranbery]

Damn, thought you were gonna bite!

I’m in the same boat. After I recover from the PPF full front and ceramic I’m going to be in the market for coil overs and shocks. Really hope we can get a good option in the next few months.

Nope! I'm sticking to cheaper stuff for now like painting the emblems and whatnot... Like you said hopefully this summer some full suspension systems get released for the Tremor.

My Traxxas sledge and dji mini 3 pro should keep my mind off the suspension for a few months... Hopefully

 

[MOHunter]

It depends on intended use, but to closely match the exact extended and collapsed lengths yes or fox also has universal valving shocks that are a close match as do maybe a few more if you dig but again they are universal valving which might be lighter or stiffer depending on manufacturer. But the Eibach, Bilstein 5160 and others that are designed for the f150 are close enough that unless you push it hard offroading it really won't matter much. For the average person those will work. The problem is if you push it offroading you may overextend the shock etc causing premature failure. You know how hard you push it so I can't say for certain what will work for you. For me those are the only 2 I would consider with a strong leaning towards the 5165.

Any particular reason for the leaning towards Bilstein? The RC name? Price? What valving would you get with the Bilstein?

 

[FaKtor34]

Any particular reason for the leaning towards Bilstein? The RC name? Price? What valving would you get with the Bilstein?

Really it just comes down to prior experience with RC and I think $800 is a bit much to see if they have indeed improved, plus the Bilstein comes in a universal valving that is supposed to be around 15% stiffer than the f150 valving they do and would be about spot on according to their tech for carrying around 400lbs in the bed or towing.at $225 a shock I think those would just fit my needs the best. I am sure the Vertex is a good shock, I am not willing to spend $800 though to find out, I went down that rabbit hole several years ago and it didn't pan out, so I'm cautious with the RC.

 

[Tremhunter]

When I’m in the mountains I take it as slow and easy as I can so I’m guessing it can do that as is. My concern was this weekend when my 3,000 lb boat with minimal gear one other passenger and a 150lb roof top tent roughly at cab height made it feel squirrely. Sadly surprised honestly. For long trips with hefty load and I’m afraid it’s not going to work. Throw in a few storms and wind….Surprisingly I feel I have to make a change.

 

[MOHunter]

Really it just comes down to prior experience with RC and I think $800 is a bit much to see if they have indeed improved, plus the Bilstein comes in a universal valving that is supposed to be around 15% stiffer than the f150 valving they do and would be about spot on according to their tech for carrying around 400lbs in the bed or towing.at $225 a shock I think those would just fit my needs the best. I am sure the Vertex is a good shock, I am not willing to spend $800 though to find out, I went down that rabbit hole several years ago and it didn't pan out, so I'm cautious with the RC.

I completely understand. I like the fact the Bilstein are a touch longer extended and a little shorter compressed. I came across two different valving options for them but I’d have to research that to see which one performed which way.

 

[MOHunter]

When I’m in the mountains I take it as slow and easy as I can so I’m guessing it can do that as is. My concern was this weekend when my 3,000 lb boat with minimal gear one other passenger and a 150lb roof top tent roughly at cab height made it feel squirrely. Sadly surprised honestly. For long trips with hefty load and I’m afraid it’s not going to work. Throw in a few storms and wind….Surprisingly I feel I have to make a change.

You might try the RAS. Mine is coming in this week. The guy I talked to at RAS was very helpful.

 

[High_Country]

I love all the contributions to this thread. Hard to keep up! I’m circling back around to the tried and true Bilstein 5100’s and 5160’s. These are specifically valved for the F-150’s. In the 5100’s you can buy for 0-1” of lift, 2” of lift, and 4” of lift. The specs show the 0-1” of lift to be about right for extended and compressed lengths to match OEM.

The ones for the 2” and 4” lifts are just longer.
Then you go to the 5160’s, again valved for the F-150, and the extended and compressed lengths look spot on. It states for 0-2” of lift. So why again aren’t these a candidate? (Other than Bilstein not specifically listing them for the Tremor)?

 

[MOHunter]

I love all the contributions to this thread. Hard to keep up! I’m circling back around to the tried and true Bilstein 5100’s and 5160’s. These are specifically valved for the F-150’s. In the 5100’s you can buy for 0-1” of lift, 2” of lift, and 4” of lift. The specs show the 0-1” of lift to be about right for extended and compressed lengths to match OEM.
View attachment 4913
View attachment 4916
The ones for the 2” and 4” lifts are just longer.
Then you go to the 5160’s, again valved for the F-150, and the extended and compressed lengths look spot on. It states for 0-2” of lift. So why again aren’t these a candidate? (Other than Bilstein not specifically listing them for the Tremor)?
View attachment 4915
View attachment 4917

Well, for what it’s worth here’s my take on it. The 5100s for example, on the 2” rear lift model, are 1.75” shorter at full extension than the Tremor, so it’s not going to be labeled specific. On the 5100 4” model it’s 1.5” longer than the Tremor OE when it’s compressed, so it’s out. The 5165 is shorter when collapsed and longer when extended so that’s all good, but it’s not valved for a F150 but instead has universal valving so it won’t be labeled Tremor specific due to that. It’s the only one (5165) that I’m aware of (could be wrong) that’s in the sweet spot by being shorter when collapsed and longer when extended and is probably the safest bet if you want to replace them right away. If you go off road with them (5165), you aren’t going to tear up anything any worse than you would’ve by using the OE shocks. That’s my take anyways. Someone feel free to correct me if I’ve misstated anything.

 

[Yeti]

Well, for what it’s worth here’s my take on it. The 5100s for example, on the 2” rear lift model, are 1” shorter at full extension than the Tremor, so it’s not going to labeled specific. On the 5100 4” model it’s 1.5” longer than the Tremor OE when it’s compressed, so it’s out. The 5165 is shorter when collapsed and longer when extended so that’s all good, but it’s not valved for a F150 but instead has universal valving so it won’t be labeled Tremor specific due to that. It’s the only one (5165) that I’m aware of (could be wrong) that’s in the sweet spot by being shorter when collapsed and longer when extended and is probably the safest bet if you want to replace them right away. If you go off road with them (5165), you aren’t going to tear up anything any worse than you would’ve by using the OE shocks. That’s my take anyways. Someone feel free to correct me if I’ve misstated anything.

All correct with the exception of the 5100s, they're 1.75 shorter than stock when extended. The 5165s are revalvable so if they don't meet someone's needs, you can always make your own tremor specific shocks then sell them to me at a huge discount.

 

[MOHunter]

All correct with the exception of the 5100s, they're 1.75 shorter than stock when extended. The 5165s are revalvable so if they don't meet someone's needs, you can always make your own tremor specific shocks then sell them to me at a huge discount.

…. And good catch by the way. Shuffling between those specs of the two got me discombobulated with the proper inches lol. I knew I’d get something wrong.

 

[FaKtor34]

High-Performance Shocks for Enhanced Vehicle Stability and Control

Discover top-quality shocks at Vivid Racing for superior performance and handling.

www.vividracing.com

This is the one I inquired about specifically with Bilstein the tech guy said that it would be a good choice.

 

[High_Country]

Thanks guys. I was thinking that about 18” compressed and 29” extended is what we were after. I guess it’s more like 20” compressed and 31” extended that we’re after?

 

[Yeti]

Thanks guys. I was thinking that about 18” compressed and 29” extended is what we were after. I guess it’s more like 20” compressed and 31” extended that we’re after?

The way I'm looking at it is less than 18" compressed and more than 30.5 extended

 

[High_Country]

The way I'm looking at it is less than 18" compressed and more than 30.5 extended

Thanks @Yeti. Was reading back through from page one looking for the ‘right’ lengths.
Truth be told, with an RSI cap or similar, misc bed gear that stays in it, not to mention all the crap we as a family take with us, a shock valved to handle some extra weight is probably the right move. And that’s before our off road trailer or dirt bikes.
BUT - I also don’t want to sacrifice a good ride for the MAJORITY of the time when not loaded (except for cap and misc gear that stays in the truck). Guess a guy could always revalve later if it’s an issue.

 

[High_Country]

Had another thought about the ‘stiffer’ valving on the 5165’s. I’m guessing they would be better-equipped to handle the heavier unsprung weight of larger wheel/tire packages. Not that I’m trying to talk myself into the 5165’s but it’s something else to consider in suspension selection.

 

[Yeti]

Had another thought about the ‘stiffer’ valving on the 5165’s. I’m guessing they would be better-equipped to handle the heavier unsprung weight of larger wheel/tire packages. Not that I’m trying to talk myself into the 5165’s but it’s something else to consider in suspension selection.

I would go ith that thought. I mean, definitely need the new shocks. I do like the 5160s now that I've had them on a few hundred miles. I'm reasonably certain I should switch to the 5165s with my new purchases

 

[PaulBlartMallCrawler]

the lack of updates from those using them.

*ahem*

Still plenty happy enough to wait out a proper Tremor specific front+rear package from a higher end brand. I pretty much drive it like I stole it and SC roads are pretty much equivalent to a 1/10 offroad trail.

And even now the only real reason I'm willing to replace is due to brand reputation rather than ride quality.

 

[FaKtor34]

*ahem*

Still plenty happy enough to wait out a proper Tremor specific front+rear package from a higher end brand. I pretty much drive it like I stole it and SC roads are pretty much equivalent to a 1/10 offroad trail.

And even now the only real reason I'm willing to replace is due to brand reputation rather than ride quality.

See a little info such as that would be good, if you have a chance to get it off-road let us know if it's stiff, too soft, etc. Also do you notice much difference now from when it was new. Honestly lately I've heard nothing but good from RC but once you get a bad taste in your mouth your hesitant about trying it again.

 

[FaKtor34]

Bilstein B8 5165 Custom Fit Shocks with Reservoirs 31.02 extended, 17.93 collapsed (25-187748)

Bilstein B8 5165 Custom Fit Shocks with Reservoirs 31.02 extended, 17.93 collapsed (25-187748) Includes: 2 Shocks Part: 2x25-187748 Bilstein B8 5165 remote

www.bilsteinlifts.com

Best deal I've seen on these.