H3 Alpha Shocks

[amrg]

I just bought an 09 Alpha and Im in the process of stripping my 06 Lux and moving everything to the Alpha. Im wondering if the Alpha shocks are any different than the I5s (non adventure) , when I already know that the torsion bars are stiffer, since I actually like the ride of the Alpha over how the 06 felt levelled to 23.25 with Bilsteins and 1/2" extended bump stops.

What do guys with Alphas prefer?

Btw I posted this on another forum, I hope no one minds as Im trying to get the most of what people tend to think. Everyone feels things differently.

 

[Hunner]

The OEM shocks are supposed to be "specially tuned" if you read the advertising, whatever that means. They are from what I can tell another custom product from Tennco a shock manufacturer in Tennessee that makes Monroes and other custom named shocks.
I too noticed a better ride in the Alpha going from an 06. After awhile the joy fades as the shocks do. Around 10,000 miles for me with lots of rough roads. I did a stock shock mod on the 06 to lengthen them. On the Alpha I got Bilsteins (because that is what fits and is available) and extended bump stops instead of re using the ones I made.
I do think a lot of the better ride and control is the stiffer torsions. I have a Warn PowerPlant winch, Steelcraft brush guard/winch mount hanging on the front and cranked to 23 1/2 and it still stays lifted and in control. That of course is comparing worn OEM shocks to new Bilsteins so it's hard to say what the difference is except the Bilsteins I believe are probably a better ratio of performance and enough longer to compensate for a slight lift. I could never get a ratio figure for the OEM shocks from anyone.
I know on many occasions of test fitting my Hunner EXtreme shock skid plates I could push the OEM shock back in place. With the Bilstein I can't hold it and it will extend when disconnected. It requires a ratchet strap to compress it enough to put the bolt back in.
Until something else besides a Rancho, also made by Tennco, comes along these seem to do the job.

 

[amrg]

Ive noticed on the 06 that once levelled there was a slight gap between the control arm and the bump stop, whereas the original setup was resting on it. Would a 1 inch extended stop be better than the 1/2 inch? I understand the gap gives some of the flaughty feeling, but I like the current feeling more, feels more in control. Btw Ive read your thread on another forum regarding y its not recommended to use a 1inch extended one, yet I didnt notice anyone actually using it and telling us their experience.

 

[Hunner]

People that did try the 1 inch said they shot out of there when offroading and the suspension came down on them hard.
I cannot think of a set up with the limited IFS of the H3 that could use 1 inch.

 

[alrock]

Get the 1/2 inch. Like Hunner said, the 1 inch won't work and won't last