Bulldog shocks installed

[rideadeuce]

Bulldog shocks are a bit beefier and look like they are well made. Easy swap. Leaf springs look good, still on the fence about upgrading to the Alcan 5 leaf springs. Clips were loose on both springs on the right. Center bolt nut on the left EZ flex was loose and about to fall off. All of the Monroe shocks seemed to be in good working order just rusty. 

Future plans include the ALCAN highway so trying to get everything done now. New tires in the morning. 

 

https://www.4statetrucks.com/bulldog-hd-shock-absorber-replaces-555001-19-050000007

Wildpeak H/T02 LT225/75R16 E/10PLY BSW 

*** Now back to torquing the shocks so that the cushion is the same diameter as the metal retainer but not larger. ***

Edited May 24 by rideadeuce

[jd1923]

Good plan on tightening the shocks. First I heard of this model Monroe still holding pressure, especially when looking like that. Mine looked much better (AZ trailer) and 3 of 4 were totally shot and the 4th barely holding on. Too bad I did not know of the Bulldogs last fall. Your leaf springs, at least what's showing in the pics look nicely arced in very good shape.

[topgun2]

Those rubber "cushions" look like they are a bit better than the Monroe's too.

I really like the attention to detail by facing the Bulldog label to the exterior - assume that four all were installed that way.  Nice job!

Bill

[Galway Girl]

@rideadeuce - A tip...Last year when we went to Alaska we bought some yoga mats and used some 3M no residue tape to attach them to the lower front of our trailer.
They worked like a champ at keeping gravel from the Yukon highways from chipping the body of the trailer.   We also used a roll of clear rug protection plastic from Home Depot on top of the Yoga Mats to keep them from absorbing moisture.

 

 

Below:  First week of the trip and the yoga mat's are doing well...tne extra coat of vinyl floor protection film is holding water at bay.

F

 

Below: After a full 9 weeks on the road the yoga mat's took the beating, but our trailer was protected.

 

Below - After yoga mat removal and quick wash...

 

[Geronimo John]

19 hours ago, Galway Girl said:

A tip...Last year when we went to Alaska we bought some yoga mats and used some 3M no residue tape to attach them to the lower front of our trailer.

I saw this idea before our trip to Alaska.  Didn't do it as I felt that the Husky mud guards, and a large one at the bumper would do the trick.  They did their job well.... maybe 99.5%,   But that last one half of a percent was noticeable.

When we go back to AK, I'll be sporting Yoga Mats.  

GJ

[Galway Girl]

This tape really worked...it left NO residue after 9 weeks of being on the road holding on the yoga mats.

 

 

 

This carpet protection film that I had from a remodel was put on top of the the yoga mat and made it more waterproof.  If we hadn't covered the yoga mat it would have absorbed a ton of water and likely fallen off. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[Geronimo John]

Love the duct tape!

Why not use a closed cell foam yoga mat to avoid soaking up water or needing to add the clear layer?

Per Google:

Closed-cell mats are thinner and more water resistant, and don't absorb liquid (yes, that includes sweat) as quickly. These are generally more porous than thicker mats. Thicker, spongier yoga mats tend to have an open-cell construction, so they soak up more liquid (sweat) which also means they retain more bacteria.Mar 11, 2022

[Geronimo John]

Apologies for the thread  hijack.

GM

[johnwen]

Here's my 2 cents... I just replaced all shocks with the Monroe 555001s.  I did so as a first step in trying to figure out the cause of sudden scalloping of both fronts tires.  One of the tires was severe enough to warrant exchange with our new spare.  As per Scuba Rx, one of the Monroe cushions indeed needed to be compressed to get 1 of the shocks to fit.  I'm happy with ease of installation and time will tell if the shocks were the cause.  Tires were removed to facilitate installation. Hull 996, picked up new in Jan 2022 and now with over 41,000 miles, has had its share of highway hard knocks, most of which surprisingly occurred on very infrequent use of interstates.  The included photos show one of the shock "stems" bent and both front shock shafts were indeed sheared.  The other 2 rear shocks were intact, though badly worn.  Since both front shock shafts were sheared and only the front tires showed unusual wear I suppose they were the cause.  The 2nd picture shows the shaft was stuck in and I pulled it out with pliers.

John

[Geronimo John]

At 24,000 miles on our OE2 I chose to replace the Monroe shocks when doing springs..  All four were still functioning with no leaks or adverse signs of wear.  I would consider that 5 seasons or 24K miles would be a reasonable "end of life" goal. 

GJ:

Crazy Horse adds: "Yea on the goal, but maybe early just for highway use.  But for sure not for the boondocker five-leafer herd".   

CH