Pickup Truck Gurus-Need Shock Advice-Dodge Dakota

[user_deleted]

nobody around these here parts that i know to ask that isn't a BS artist....so thought i'd ask the site guys for a bit of truck expertise. here's the deal: my father died 4 years ago and left me his like-new 2006 dodge dakota 2WD magnum rt V-8 club cab dakota. truck has 42,000 one owner miles on it and still like new. one of the nicest driving trucks i've ever driven and my God is it ever fast for a stocker. all stock....no mods other than dual exhaust. what i'm looking to resolve is this: i'm guessing it is a light 1/2 ton job. when i put a single bike in the back such as a 700lb V-rod or something similar, it really sacks down in the back. unloaded the rear ride height is perfect. lightly loaded it is perfect. but with a larger bike it really sags. checking usual shock sites such as monroe and gabriel none of them offer an air-assisted shock that i can find. do not want to install airbags as they appear to be close to $300 for kit. monroe on the other hand offers a "load-assisting" rear coil over shock. appears to be stock type shock with progressively wound coil over it. around $100 on amazong. you truck guys have any suggestions on this? any experience with this monroe shock # 58650? thanks for any and all advice. looking to resolve this for under $200. regards, john

 

[Fatty SS]

I was looking at those same coil over assist shocks for my half ton, a lot of reviews said they lift the rear about an inch when unloaded. Timbrens might be a good option, they're a rubber bumper that helps level the load without needing a compressor or fiddling with air pressure. Etrailer.com has them for a reasonable price. Air assist shocks are prone to leak as they age, by the time you so be enough money to get a reputable version you could have done proper bags. Some places sell a mechanical device that you can basically flip a lever to engage the helper spring in the leaf pack earlier. Those are really inexpensive as well.

 

[user_deleted]

hey greg: thanks much for the info. i agree 100% on the air assist shocks and leakage over time plus appears none even available for my truck. do you have a name or a link greg for this lever item you speak of that involves a helper spring for the stock leaf springs? also: found the timbren kit online and amazon/ebay punks sell it for around $210 delivered. same guys sell the monroe coil-over assist shocks for around $110 delivered. which would you go with greg? thanks much

 

[BuellyBagger]

Work with a fella that's running the timbren type deals. He loves them. Less effect on your unloaded ride quality i would guess.

 

[Fatty SS]

Timbrens are much preferred over the coilover assist shocks. Adding the spring to an unloaded truck really ruins the ride and raises the back a bit. I personally wouldn't compromise day to day use to add a part that really only benefits when hauling a heavy load. Sucks that they're almost twice as much, but it's really worth it to maintain your unloaded ride and handling quality.

 

[Fatty SS]

Here's the lever type kit. They're a little more $ for your truck than I was expecting.

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Dodge/Dakota/2006/TLA7311.html?vehicleid=200625582

 

[Outlaw]

I prefer air bag setup. Fully adjustable per your load weight and no ride compromise when empty. You get what you pay for.

 

[wickedchop]

You know damn well John you're just looking for an excuse to buy a mega cab....lol

 

[Restlessrustler]

John, go the full airbag route. A decent pair of bilsteins shocks will cost est. 160, so going good for something that will aid ride when loaded will be more. Just my opinion tho, I do drive a f350....haha

 

[rchuff]

John go with the timbrens I use them at work. I use them on front ends for plow setups and rears for heavy loads. Worth the money I think. You will just need them for the rear.

 

[user_deleted]

Work with a fella that's running the timbren type deals. He loves them. Less effect on your unloaded ride quality i would guess.

got it cody and thanks for the input. going with the timbren set-up.

 

[user_deleted]

John go with the timbrens I use them at work. I use them on front ends for plow setups and rears for heavy loads. Worth the money I think. You will just need them for the rear.

thanks ricky and that is what i'll go with. http://timbren.com/

 

[user_deleted]

Timbrens are much preferred over the coilover assist shocks. Adding the spring to an unloaded truck really ruins the ride and raises the back a bit. I personally wouldn't compromise day to day use to add a part that really only benefits when hauling a heavy load. Sucks that they're almost twice as much, but it's really worth it to maintain your unloaded ride and handling quality.

got it greg and thanks much for the advice and counsel on this. going with the timbren and agreed....adding more spring, etc not the way to go as unloaded the truck really runs and handles like a dream. thanks again.

 

[user_deleted]

You know damn well John you're just looking for an excuse to buy a mega cab....lol

if i had your money believe me wally....i would. mega cab dodge....cummins turbo....dually....6WD....all the bells and whistles....thunder-road package.....icy cold a/c....and a list price of $79,000.

 

[user_deleted]

John, go the full airbag route. A decent pair of bilsteins shocks will cost est. 160, so going good for something that will aid ride when loaded will be more. Just my opinion tho, I do drive a f350....haha

thanks sean. i believe i remember that ford of yours. it was a very nice truck.

 

[BuellyBagger]

got it cody and thanks for the input. going with the timbren set-up.

hey no prob john, now you can start pulling like i do LOL