Bilstein 5100 Rear Shocks Installed

Spurshot · September 20, 2009

My 5100 Bilstein rears came in Friday and I put them in early this morning. After cleaning up the interior, I took a break and washed the dog. Then we went for a little drive up the 710 freeway. This little stretch of freeway is pretty choppy in my trucks, especially the fast lane, both north and southbound at anything over about 55-60 mph. The 2008 NHT suspension is really stiff in the back and with the stock shocks my dog was dang near catching air while laying on the back seat. I put the Snugtop shell on and it weighs a couple hundred pounds. That helped, but it was still pretty rough.

We drove that same stretch north and south and it was much much better. The springs are stiff so there's still that factor, but the shocks damp it much better and the bouncing is much reduced.

Now I have the front and back 5100's in the 2008 truck. I'm sure it'll make the drive to South Dakota more comfortable next month.

SeirraRR · September 20, 2009

I was just wondering what "NHT" stands for? Have looked through the fourms but couldn't find it.

Vortec-Z71 · September 20, 2009

I was just wondering what "NHT" stands for? Have looked through the fourms but couldn't find it.

RPO code for max trailering package.

Spurshot · September 20, 2009

NHT is a towing package that includes the 6.0L engine, 4L70E trans (2008), 4.10 gears, coolers, Z85 suspension (apparently the heaviest sprung at something like 7300 lb GVW) which includes largest front swaybar, shocks , rear disks, and some other things I can recall at the moment.

SeirraRR · September 20, 2009

NHT is a towing package that includes the 6.0L engine, 4L70E trans (2008), 4.10 gears, coolers, Z85 suspension (apparently the heaviest sprung at something like 7300 lb GVW) which includes largest front swaybar, shocks , rear disks, and some other things I can recall at the moment.

Ah ok. Thanks

Jnk · September 20, 2009

Are the Bilstein 5100's a smoother shock than the HD's? I have seen a considerable price difference but don't know how they differentiate from one another. Can someone fill me in?

Pilot12 · September 20, 2009

it was much much better.

When I read your review of the front 5100s I put them in front and back. BIG improvement over stock, but I didn't get to feel just the fronts. Glad I made the right move.

I have the reg cab and the Z82/ Z85 packages....if I got the same springs as a crew cab, I assume I needed the Bilsteins even more.

Curious if the 5100s are as "heavy duty" as the Bilstein HDs.

08AllTerrain · September 20, 2009

I'm wondering how the Bilsteins compare to the Ranchos on the All-Terrain package. I have a feeling they are better and seriously thinking about getting the Bilsteins.

Spurshot · September 21, 2009

Kelley,

I couldn't tell you if the HD shocks are higher or lower damping rate than the 5100s. I suspect the 5100 is higher damping.

JNK,

Yes, they ride better than the stock shocks on the washboardy freeways of L.A..

08AllTerrain,

Just my experience based on shocks I had 30 yrs ago or so from Rancho, I'd say Bilstein would be a better product in terms of engineering and quality. But that's old information. Still, I'm a very convinced Bilstein customer for the last 10 yrs. I've never ridden in a All Terrain FWTW.

Stex · September 21, 2009

How much front lift did you use on the 5100s? I am thinking third ring up, 1.18 inch...

Did you check how stiff the stock shocks were...my rear z71s were extremely stiff...thinking they use a stiff shock but not the good valves in the bils

70CopperZ28 · September 21, 2009

Chuck, I remember from a your post a while back that you had your front shocks set on the 3rd groove (30mm). Are you happy with that setting or would you rather have your shocks on the fourth (top) groove?

Thanks,

Bryan

Spurshot · September 21, 2009

Brayan,

I have my front shock ride height set at one groove up from the bottom. That's about 1/2 - 5/8" up from stock. With my Snugtop (a couple hundred lbs or so) it has a pretty level look with just a slight rake. Yesterday, I put in my full length/full width gun drawers for the hunting season. The drawers are all aluminum and weigh about 175-200 lbs. The truck leveled a bit more. I'll see about taking a picture that shows the ride angle now.

slomo007 · September 21, 2009

Brayan,
I have my front shock ride height set at one groove up from the bottom. That's about 1/2 - 5/8" up from stock. With my Snugtop (a couple hundred lbs or so) it has a pretty level look with just a slight rake. Yesterday, I put in my full length/full width gun drawers for the hunting season. The drawers are all aluminum and weigh about 175-200 lbs. The truck leveled a bit more. I'll see about taking a picture that shows the ride angle now.

Chuck, what is the process to adjust the height? Can it be done easily?

Damn you all for giving me something else to spend money on....

Spurshot · September 21, 2009

No, the adjustment is made by positioning a ring in a groove, then theres a collar and the spring perch that set on top of the ring. Then the spring and all the upper assembly goes on. So, adjusting means disassembling the front suspension enough to get the coilover assembly out and then compressing the spring and disassembling the coilover assembly.

70CopperZ28 · September 21, 2009

Brayan,
I have my front shock ride height set at one groove up from the bottom. That's about 1/2 - 5/8" up from stock. With my Snugtop (a couple hundred lbs or so) it has a pretty level look with just a slight rake. Yesterday, I put in my full length/full width gun drawers for the hunting season. The drawers are all aluminum and weigh about 175-200 lbs. The truck leveled a bit more. I'll see about taking a picture that shows the ride angle now.

Thanks! Since my truck is mostly empty I am going with the 3rd ring this might give it a slight rake as well.