Monroe OESpectrum shocks - seem too short?

[BrianB]

I was rebuilt the front end of a 2002 Silverado 1500 4WD...I should have know better, but a bought the Monroe OE Spectrum shocks from Suspension.com because I had bought the Monroe upper and lower control arms. Anyway, I noticed that the Monroe shocks were about a 1/2" shorter than the shocks that I took out...the result is that the upper control arm doesn't bottom out on the droop stop when the suspension is unsupported - the Monroe shock doesn't have enough travel and the upper control arm bottoms out on the shock. Here are a couple of pictures. I've searched for bumpers that would go and the droop stop, but didn't find anything.

Suspension.com said the Monroe tech didn't see a problem with this...I should have bought the Bilstein 5100s...I was dumb to go with the Monroe shocks.

If I overlooked something, happy to learn. The truck is stock.

 

[99Sierra2500]

Some lift kits have a shock extension piece that bolts to the bottom.

 

[BrianB]

Some lift kits have a shock extension piece that bolts to the bottom.

Thanks, the truck is stock with no lift, so I am just getting other shocks with more travel. I think the FYI is to go with a better shock that has more travel.

 

[99Sierra2500]

Thanks, the truck is stock with no lift, so I am just getting other shocks with more travel. I think the FYI is to go with a better shock that has more travel.

You are right, that is the best solution.

 

[Marky Dissod]

should have bought the Bilstein 5100s ...

Indeed.

 

[Mikloangelo]

I thought 5100s were for leveled/lifted trucks. 4600s are for stock.
Either way. Can you return the shocks?

 

[Marky Dissod]

There are basic 5100 versions for unleveled/unlifted suvs & pickups, as well as 5100s (5160s?) for lifted stuff.

 

[SK101]

If you search the specs on all the shocks that fit any vehicle they will not all have the same max extended or compressed length, i just checked 2 Monroe shocks for your truck and there's a 3/10ths difference between them.
I remember discovering this myself when i was deciding to not put Z71 shocks on a Z71.

 

[BrianB]

If you search the specs on all the shocks that fit any vehicle they will not all have the same max extended or compressed length, i just checked 2 Monroe shocks for your truck and there's a 3/10ths difference between them.
I remember discovering this myself when i was deciding to not put Z71 shocks on a Z71.

Thank you all for the information and comments. I did hear back from Monroe technical support - they let me know that the GM Manual says the shock can act as the down limiter instead of the droop stop. Just the same, I am changing them out to the 5100s.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... changing them out to the 5100s.

Please let us know how you like those 5100s.