bilstein 7'' lift struts???

[pctchevy11]

hey guys i was thinkin instead of stacking a 1'' leveling kit on my 2011 silverado BDS 6'' lift kit can i install bilsteins 7'' lift struts replacing BDS 6'' lift struts? it would be more expencive but i think it would be the right way to do it.

 

note: the 1'' leveling kit would be a top mount.

 

 

i dont really want to stretch the BDS kit at all but right now my tires rub when i go over bumps lol

 

 

thanks!

[blackout07]

Good plan. I was actually considering doing this at some point.

[doodeediddledodindee]

for what it is worth the front suspension on a GMT900 is a coil over shock not a strut, there is a difference.

[Matt_]

The term "strut" is applicable and is what they're stocked/sold under. Albeit not the original definition of a "strut", if that's what bilstein /Monroe/Rancho/etc list them as in their catalogues, there's no reason to nitpick here.

[pctchevy11]

I called Cognito who sells the struts and this is the Email chain.

 

"Jake, unfortunately, these will only work on a lift that is exactly 7” like ours, this is because these shocks control the droop and bump travel of the suspension. Using this shock with your kit would cause it to have too much droop and it would not limit the up travel in the correct spot."

 

"Chad,

Thanks for emailing me back. Im just curious tho, what is the difference between my setup now with a 1'' leveling kit and your 7'' struts? are you saying it will not fit? too much up travel is better than too much down travel correct?? the truck is mostly used on blacktop. I take it offroad now and again but just for hunting trips and the occasional back road cruz."

 

"The 1” spacer helps limit the wheel travel. Vs. Our shock allows for all up travel and even more down travel. Too much up travel means shearing off balljoints on the a-arm, maxing out tierods until they snap, etc… Too much down travel equals all the same plus binding of CV axles, etc…"

 

 

 

Whats your opinion on this? I believe in what this guy tells me but for a truck that spends most of its life on the street i cant see it being too big of a deal. the question is when i do take it out whats the chance of something serious actually happening?

 

the down travel is restricted by the factory "bump stop" welded under the UCA but as far as over extending the suspension UP i would have to think it would take a pretty hard hit.

comments.....??

[Matt_]

Ask him for specs on fully extended and compressed lengths.

[doodeediddledodindee]

The term "strut" is applicable and is what they're stocked/sold under. Albeit not the original definition of a "strut", if that's what bilstein /Monroe/Rancho/etc list them as in their catalogues, there's no reason to nitpick here.

 

 

it isnt applicable and it isnt nit picking, people calling them a strut just shows they don't know suspension systems and just because it is stocked under that doesn't make it a strut, it is a coil over shock

[Matt_]

People call them a strut because that's the term they're sold under from every manufacturer. Your post proves nothing except that you like instigating arguments by degrading members who refer to them by the term "strut" as "not knowing anything". Lol with that attitude I hope you enjoy your short stay.

[pctchevy11]

"Unfortunatley I don’t have that measurement on hand. I don’t know what it would be with the stock spring in place. I don’t have one to test."

 

this is my opinion. as far as up travel it cant be any higher than that of the stock spring will allow correct? even with the BDS kit all it was was a "longer" strut, the distance from the top of the assembly to the bottom of the coil-over is the same as it would be from factory and with the Bilstein struts this would be no different.

 

as far as the down travel it cant be any further than the factory bump stop that is still remaining. granted the factory setup would not allow it to reach this point because of its factory strut length but nevertheless it is there.

 

so in the end you will not be able to min/max this new bilstein shock to its extreme but you will affectivly lift your setup an additional 1'' due to its longer bottom shaft. so if your tearin up some dirt and you hear a loud CLUNK! that will be your factory min and max stops bottomming out. "even tho your strut can do more"

 

am i wrong?

[Matt_]

I think you'll be good with it. In the end the fully extended length probably isn't much different than your current setup with the spacer (general 1" longer of a body does not drastically change the travel range)

[pctchevy11]

I dont want to get off topic or pick a fight but here is a few steps from the BDS lift install manual

 

 

"

 

48. Locate the two captive nuts on the OE strut bar pin. Carefully remove these nuts and transfer them to the new strut.

 

 

 

49. Install the new strut assembly to the appropriate frame mount with the original nuts. Torque the nuts to 40 ft-lbs.

 

 

 

Note: Be sure that the strut is oriented properly in the vehicle.

 

 

50. Swing the lower control arm up to the strut and fasten it with the original mounting bolts. Torque bolts to 40 ft-lbs."

 

 

They call it a strut as well.

[doodeediddledodindee]

People call them a strut because that's the term they're sold under from every manufacturer. Your post proves nothing except that you like instigating arguments by degrading members who refer to them by the term "strut" as "not knowing anything". Lol with that attitude I hope you enjoy your short stay.

 

 

Why would I possible be banned because people do not know the difference and I am trying to correct them?

 

Since everyone is googling someone go and google and see what the gm specs say for type of front suspension, if it says strut I will admit I am wrong, if it says coil over spring then you admit you are wrong.

[Matt_]

I've made my point already. Enjoy fighting with yourself.

[doodeediddledodindee]

I've made my point already. Enjoy fighting with yourself.

 

 

haha ok, you must have realized you were wrong, then tried to act like a cool kid, you should be banned back to jeep forums

[Matt_]

Lol actually I'm more amused at your lack of reading compression. ... I guess everyone should email BDS and complain that they call them the wrong thing so members stop looking like idiots in front of suspension goddesses like yourself.

 

Ill go correct everyone on my Jeep forums too. ;)