New Bilstein / Cognito Hummer H3 Leveling Front Shocks???

[tomp]

http://www.trailduty.com/product_inf...roducts_id=486

Anyone ordered these yet?

Seems to be a better priced option than doing the Truxx leveling kit, which is more expensive. However, the Truxx kit would allow you to not have to worry about finding future extended length shocks and give you more shock options.

[MtnHmr]

I guess since no one has resonded, the new guy will chime in. I have had these on my truck since January. Basically, I cranked the stock keys(I am running about 23.25 inches on the front end) installed the shocks, and had the front end aligned. I love them. Very nice ride. No body roll in the corners. I bought them straight form Cognito Motorsports as they are fairly local to me. Very easy to install.
Chad at Cognito explained to me that they are an existing part # from Bilstein that they take and add the lower mounts to. I liked this as it will be easy to replace if the need arises.
I do alot of dirt road running and these make the ride great. Hope this helps.

[HUMMJAY]

I bought the TRUXXX kit, had it installed, hated it for 6mo., then had it removed

Originally Posted by HUMMJAY

I bought the TRUXXX kit, had it installed, hated it for 6mo., then had it removed

Hummjay - what did you hate about the TRUXXX kit?

[Desert Dan]

With the extended shocks what happens when you bottom out?

W/O extending the bump stop the shock is going to take a beating.

Any thoughts?

[Hunner]

Originally Posted by Desert Dan

With the extended shocks what happens when you bottom out?

W/O extending the bump stop the shock is going to take a beating.

Any thoughts?

The problem seems to be "topping out" however I have run mine a year without problems with the stock shocks.

Mine is cranked 8 turns. Stock the bump stop is just touching the arm. Turned up you can get a finger in the gap. Not much travel. I did notice some nose dive with heavy braking. Maybe one of those shock type bump stops would do the trick.

[HUMMJAY]

Originally Posted by Steve - SanJose

Hummjay - what did you hate about the TRUXXX kit?

I just thought it road like chit,,, when breaking the nose would dive, when accelerating the nose would take off,,,,, when instaled to TRUXXX specs it made the truck look like it was walking up hill, also the techs could never really correct the camber on the front tires and 35" procomps arnt cheap,,,so I learnd my lesson with cheap lift's

[tomp]

The problem I saw with the Truxx kit is that their shock extension lengthens the shock too far. This is due to the type of shock mount the H3 has and not Truxx's fault. There was no way around it. What this means is that you have to crank up the TBs too far to benefit from the extensions. Once you go "Too Far" as you do with this kit, then you bottom out on the other end of the shock too soon.

Now, the problem with these Bilsteins, is that I am not sure how they were able to accomplish longer travel length while using a a shorter body? Well, I can tell you my first thought: The stock shocks have internal and external bump stops. These are mase by Monroe/Rancho for Hummer with these specs, required by Hummer. This basically shortens the travel of the shock and provides protection on both ends of travel range. What I am afraid of, is that Bilstein either did not know or chose not to include the bump stops!

This 2nd paragraph addresses Desert Dan's concern, if using the stock, Monroe or Rancho shocks. I am not sure on the Bilsteins yet - but stay tuned.

Please be patient - I will get some answers when the new shocks arrive

[MtnHmr]

Desert Dan,
I asked that same question when I purchased. The Bilstein's actually compress to a shorter overall length than the stock shocks by about a half inch and are longer overall by several inches when extended. I verified this when I was installing. Hope this helps.