Difference between OEM and After Market AutoRide Compressor/Absorber

[joltman]

Everything just fits/plugs right in. The only difference, if you get the Bilstein/Arnott shocks, is you lose the auto-dampening feature. It comes with an error eliminator, though, so you don't get any lights flashing. Haven't had any problems with weather, and I live in some crappy weather...lol. The compressor itself isn't a GM compressor at all, but an Arnott built one.

The other option is to get the refurbished GM shocks that Arnott sells, and that maintains full functionality of the auto-ride.

So I'm having some work done on the truck. The idler arm and pitman arm need to be replaced. Joy. AND the U-joints. Wonderful. But I was asking the dude (at Meineke) about replacing the front shocks. He says they are Bilstein and there is a plug at the top of the shock that is an electronic plug? I was looking at the site listed above:

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_GMC_Air_Suspension_Parts_yid15_pid95.html

And the front replacement shocks are interesting, but I don't understand if they are exact replacements for what's in there now. The picture shown on the website looks like it has something plug in, but I have no idea. This will probably be a job for next month, but I'd like to get all the parts ordered now. I'll try and get a better look today when I go to pick up the truck. Any help would be appreciated.