Bilstein 5100 Install And Review

Superperv23 · February 21, 2011

I wanted to level my new truck and at first I was going to use the rough country kit like a lot of people on the forums but then I was not overly happy with the stock ride quality so I did not install the RC kit. I read a lot of posts here about the 5100 shocks but most just kept saying they are awesome and stock ride doesnt compare, which is kind of hard to make a decision on but I went with them anyway after reading the bilstein ad.

My truck has the all terrain package with the rancho branded shocks and it seemed to ride different than the non all terrain I test drove, it is hard to say but just at different speeds and bumps it reacted differently, almost as if the all terrain is more harsh around town but smoother on the highway.

The bilsteins however seem to have fantastic all around performance. I think the best way to sum it up is that the ride is more controlled, there is less bouncing or juddering with bumps and less after effects, with the stock shocks it would kind of seasaw back and forth if you hit a bump on the highway. It doesnt ride like a car now like I have seen some people say but it rides more like you would expect an SUV too than a truck.

The install was fairly simple, as a friend did all of the work haha took about 2 hours as he has a lift in his garage and we spent a lot of that time fighting and looking at other stuff to be honest. I went with the highest clip setting for what they referred to as an average 1.77" lift and my fender lip measurements went from 36.75 front and 38.5 rear to 38.5 all around. One thing I liked was they supply you with new bolts for the lower mount so you do not have to reuse those factory clips which seem kind of flimsy to me.

I didn't get too many pics, here is the before and after, it is pretty dark today so not the best pic but you can tell the difference

Stevens03 · February 21, 2011

AzDragonLord · February 21, 2011

Very nice!

chev1guy · February 21, 2011

Nice, I have had mine for about 15,000 miles and the ride remains like the first day they were installed.

oldschool327 · February 22, 2011

Great choice!!! Lookin good

07SierraJay · February 23, 2011

That looks great, where did you pick up the shocks? Locally or online? Looking to do the same to my truck and trying to buying from the US to save on brokerage fees.

Knowklew · February 23, 2011

where do you buy these?

What was the install process?

I think I found them for 89 each....

chev1guy · February 23, 2011

where do you buy these?

What was the install process?

I think I found them for 89 each....

I bought mine from offroadwarehouse.com but I think there are other places online where you can get them slightly cheaper. Installing them is pretty simple but you will need to take the struts to a shop to remove the spring if you aren’t comfortable doing it.

ChevyTech77 · February 23, 2011

This, again, just solidifies the fact that Bilstein's are worth every penny, imo.

Superperv23 · February 23, 2011

That looks great, where did you pick up the shocks? Locally or online? Looking to do the same to my truck and trying to buying from the US to save on brokerage fees.

I bought them from essex distributers, cost me $480 with tax ans shipping.

where do you buy these?

What was the install process?

I think I found them for 89 each....

The install was just the 4 bolts for the rear shocks, then the fronts the 3 bolts on the top mount, then the two lower bolts, then release the ball joint but left the nut on the end of it, remove the assembly, spring compressor to disassemble and then swap the spring seat over to the new one, put spring on and the the top mount, then top into the vehicle, bottom bolts then top bolts and then the ball joint. Pretty simple actually.

Knowklew · February 23, 2011

I am thinking of doing this instead of the RC spacer, for the sake of keeping the ride close to stock.

AntelopeLTZ · February 23, 2011

Not sure if I understand, did you run the RC kit then change it out? It gets confusing, for me anyway, in reading these leveling kit threads . Some say the RC kits rides like stock, some say it rides rougher. My RC kit is still in the box.

Knowklew · February 23, 2011

My RC kit is still in the box.

same here

Superperv23 · February 23, 2011

Not sure if I understand, did you run the RC kit then change it out? It gets confusing, for me anyway, in reading these leveling kit threads . Some say the RC kits rides like stock, some say it rides rougher. My RC kit is still in the box.

I bought the RC kit but it never went on, never even left the box, ended up selling it for half what I paid.

AntelopeLTZ · February 23, 2011

Not sure if I understand, did you run the RC kit then change it out? It gets confusing, for me anyway, in reading these leveling kit threads . Some say the RC kits rides like stock, some say it rides rougher. My RC kit is still in the box.

I bought the RC kit but it never went on, never even left the box, ended up selling it for half what I paid.

OK Thanks.