Hi fellas - I want to switch out my worn shocks with some new Bilstein's and possibly level out the truck. Does leveling require a specific shock or can I do the Bilstein HD's? I plan to do the shocks first.

 

Not 100% sure on what you mean by leveling the truck with the shocks? Do you mean fix the chevy lean?
If so shocks won't level it out they don't hold the truck up only provide support so it doesn't ride like asshat.
But i could have misunderstood the question?

 

you got it right - I want to level the truck but by lowering the rear - not raising the front. My question is: when you do this are there specific valved shocks that people use (because it's lowered) or can I use regular Bilstein HD's with the shackles?

Typically, when you raise or lower a vehicle a specific shocks is sometimes recommended? I want to replace my shocks now and level it out later, but if I need to be using a shock valved for the 2" drop I don't want to have to buy shocks again.

Does this make any sense?

 

<---stock shocks and 2in shackle + 1in from some spring clamps...im not sure, but as long as your not doing a insane drop, regular shocks should be fine. i could be wrong

 

I have my truck lowered by removing the 4x4 lift blocks and installing 2" shackles and I'm still using the stock length Bilsteins. It will work, but I'm sure it would be better with some drop specific shocks like the ones available from Belltech...if I had the dough I'd be installing some drop shocks in mine. The ride with the stock length shocks is a little rough...I'm assuming that's because the shocks are quite compressed from the drop. (oh yea, the front is lowered with Belltech lowering keys and I still have stock length Bilsteins there also)