Question About Adding Bilstein Shocks

[berteras]

I already have a leveling kit on my 08 silverado. I want to add bilstein 5100 shocks to my truck, should I....

 

A) Keep the leveling kit on and set the shocks to the lowest lift setting

 

B) Take the leveling kit off and set the shocks to the 2" lift setting

 

Thanks in advance

[Stevens03]

B

[berteras]

ok, thanks!

 

Will the truck still sit level or is it a little lower in the front with the Bilstein's?

[Stevens03]

2" is 2", so it should sit the way it's sitting now with the RC kit on after the Bilstiens have been adjusted.

[berteras]

True, shock has a lift of 1.75" from what I can find and I have no idea what the leveling kit is on my truck cause it was on when I bought the truck but I am assuming it is a 2" kit. So I guess it would drop a little.

[Matt_]

I would do option A.

 

The lift is achieved differently. Preloading the spring for the lift will have a greater effect on the ride than using the spacer.

 

Edit: FYI the lowest setting should be "stock" for the 5100s. So it shouldn't be higher after.

[berteras]

I would do option A.

 

The lift is achieved differently. Preloading the spring for the lift will have a greater effect on the ride than using the spacer.

 

Edit: FYI the lowest setting should be "stock" for the 5100s. So it shouldn't be higher after.

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I talked to a Bilstein dealer and he said, "I would leave the spacer in and set the shock to the lowest lift setting. it will ride better this way as opposed to taking the spacer out and setting the shock to the highest lift setting. Either way the same pressure is being put on the ball joints and what not so you arent gaining anything by taking them out."

[MB2008LTZ]

Why not leave the spacer and just buy regular shocks?

[Matt_]

Why not leave the spacer and just buy regular shocks?

 

Bilstein doesn't sell the regular 5100 version for GMT900 trucks anymore. Probably figured it was redundant since the "leveling" shocks have a "stock" setting. So if you want to run 5100s and not lift the truck at all, you just leave them on the stock setting.

[Stevens03]

I would do option A.

 

The lift is achieved differently. Preloading the spring for the lift will have a greater effect on the ride than using the spacer.

 

Edit: FYI the lowest setting should be "stock" for the 5100s. So it shouldn't be higher after.

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I talked to a Bilstein dealer and he said, "I would leave the spacer in and set the shock to the lowest lift setting. it will ride better this way as opposed to taking the spacer out and setting the shock to the highest lift setting. Either way the same pressure is being put on the ball joints and what not so you arent gaining anything by taking them out."

 

 

 

I didn't think about that.. good catch