Bilstein 5100's too soft, trying 4600 (HD's)

Mossyoakglock · February 18, 2013

So I purchased some Bilstein 5100 rear shocks and after trying them, they are too soft. So I'm going to try the 4600's and see if they are closer to the stock ride. I'm just looking for an upgraded shock, plus one of my is blow, I think.

I'm also wanting to replace the front struts as well with either the 4600 or 5100's. If I think the 5100's are too soft for the rear, will the front struts be too soft as well? Should I stick with the 4600 up front and keep all 4 the same or run 5100 front/4600 rear?

I contacted Bilstein and they said that would work, it just depends on what I want.

Chris · February 18, 2013

I like 4600's. I have them all around.

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Mossyoakglock · February 18, 2013

How do they compare to stock? Are they stiffer or about the same?

Do they provide more control when driving?

Chris · February 18, 2013

A lot firmer, but I had the Z83 suspension

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txab · February 18, 2013

We put the 4600 on every truck. It's firmer.

Swap all 4

Mossyoakglock · February 19, 2013

I have the Z60 suspension.

The shocks should be here today so we'll see how I like these. Once these are on I'll decide if I want to go with the 4600's up front of with the 5100's up front.

When I called Bilstein, they said it wouldn't be a bad idea to have 4600's in the rear and the 5100's up front. He said I can even run them on the stock height and keep my RC spacer so that I keep the same stance I have but getting a better ride and an upgraded shock. I'm just thinking that if the 5100's out back were too soft that the fronts would be too soft as well.

People commented that the 5100's were firmer than stock but I found that they were much softer.

Chris · February 19, 2013

They are firmer than the z71 shocks not the z60 or z85

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Mossyoakglock · February 20, 2013

Got them on last night. You're right, they are softer than the Z60 shocks. They are not much firmer than the 5100's either.

Is there a shock that is about as firm as the Z60 shocks? I don't mind the ride of my current shocks, just looking for a better shock than factory. I've read good things about KYB but also thought about Rancho 7000's.

Any others out there that are close to the factory Z60 shocks? According to Tenneco's website, they manufactur both Rancho and Monroe shocks.

Which Monroe or Rancho shocks would be the equivalent to the stock Z60 shock?

MB2008LTZ · February 24, 2013

Ok so this thread has me spooked. I just bought some 5100's for my 2008 LTZ with the Z60 suspension and now I fear this may have been a mistake. I only bought them because of all the positve feedback they have been given, and they were only $280 for all four corners. I also have the RC leveling kit up front and was most likey going to loose it and just set the strut at it highest setting, but now I question that decision too. I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any. Thanks!

Mossyoakglock · February 25, 2013

I'm not sure how the front struts are compared to the stock struts since I only tried the rears but I'd be interested in hearing how they are.

I didn't like the 5100's because they were quite a bit softer than the stock Z60 shocks. Yes they rode nice but I wanted a firmer ride. I wanted something that was close to the same firmness as stock but just an upgraded shock. I tried the 5100's first and then tried the HD's (4600). The HD's were firmer than the 5100s but were still softer than stock. After doing more research, I took a chance on the Monroe Reflex shocks. So far I'm happy with them. They have the same stiffness as the stock shocks but provide a better, more controlled ride and take the bumps better. If I had a lifted truck, the 5100s would definitely be the way to go.

I am still going to consider either the 5100's or HD's up front. I will probably go with the HD's up front since they are stiffer than the 5100s which is what I'm looking for and I don't plan on using the leveling feature since I will keep my RC kit. I like the current stance of the truck and don't want to change it. The Bilstein tech did say that I could run the RC kit with the 5100 to take advantage of the shock.

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I am interested in how you like the 5100s up front since I have the Z60 as well. Also would like to hear your thoughts on the rear shocks even though I didn't like them .

Mossyoakglock · February 28, 2013

MB2008LTZ,

Have you put the shocks on yet?

MB2008LTZ · February 28, 2013

Not yet and probably won't any time soon. As soon as I get them on I will let you know. I'm working like 60+ hours a week and and it is still very much winter here...no garage. Also have my supercharger to install and long tube headers to put on and those projects are on top right now. Just got my Blackbear Autocal today and my headers are on the return trip from Jet-Hot.