Question re: Bilstein 5100 Levelling Shocks

revitupfaster · September 30, 2014

The rough order of magnitude is 2:1 for the lift vs shock length. The problem is that Bilstein is simply compressing the spring by the amount the collar is raised.

I'm not sure what you mean here........could you elaborate and explain this a little more in detail and in "laymans" terms. Are you saying that if the setting is supposed to give you a 1 1/4" lift, you would actually achieve about a 2 1/2" lift at the fender well?

mtbsam · October 1, 2014

I hope this image works, but with SUPER basic dimensions I drew a sketch to show what is being discussed. I'll edit the post if the photo doesn't come through

If you look at the photo, the origin (red dot) is where the lower control arm mount to the frame and the top of the triangles is the upper shock mount. Neither of these points change regardless of the setup you install.

The control arm length (shown as 20") and the lower shock mount location along that arm (I picked the midpoint) don't change either.

The only thing in the photo that actually varies is the length of the shock, from 20" to 20-5/8".

If you look at the vertical distance at the end of the control arm where the hub is mounted to the control arm is 1.29". Doing the quick math, (5/8" x 2) = 1-1/4. 1.25 is pretty close to 1.29.

It's all going to be based on the initial control arm angle and all the relations between the hard mount points, but I think 2:1 is a safe approximation.

revitupfaster · October 1, 2014

I hope this image works, but with SUPER basic dimensions I drew a sketch to show what is being discussed. I'll edit the post if the photo doesn't come through

If you look at the photo, the origin (red dot) is where the lower control arm mount to the frame and the top of the triangles is the upper shock mount. Neither of these points change regardless of the setup you install.

The control arm length (shown as 20") and the lower shock mount location along that arm (I picked the midpoint) don't change either.

The only thing in the photo that actually varies is the length of the shock, from 20" to 20-5/8".

If you look at the vertical distance at the end of the control arm where the hub is mounted to the control arm is 1.29". Doing the quick math, (5/8" x 2) = 1-1/4. 1.25 is pretty close to 1.29.

It's all going to be based on the initial control arm angle and all the relations between the hard mount points, but I think 2:1 is a safe approximation.

Thanks very much for the explanation and the diagram. I appreciate you going to the extent you did to answer my question. I sometimes need pictures in order to grasp the concept.

REV

mtbsam · October 1, 2014

No worries, I kind of had an idea but I wanted to verify for myself anyway. Plus, I'd be willing to bet that other people reading this thread could benefit from the visual.

I really wish I had the actual numbers and relative distances so I could just put in the various shock settings and figure out how much lift I want before I install them. It would be nice to hit the mark on the first try without the trial and error.

revitupfaster · October 3, 2014

I really wish I had the actual numbers and relative distances so I could just put in the various shock settings and figure out how much lift I want before I install them. It would be nice to hit the mark on the first try without the trial and error.

Hear Hear............you would think that it would be relatively easy for Bilstein the do the calculations and include it as part of the installation instructions. Kind of a pretty important piece of info, which would be welcomed by their customers.

revitupfaster · October 22, 2014

I called Bilstein USA yesterday afternoon, and the person I was talking to didn't have a clue as to when the "5100 series ride height adjustable" shocks for the front of 2014 Silverado/Sierra trucks will be available.

First she said not to expect them until February 2015, then when I sort of showed that I was more than a little dissapointed, in that date, as I had been told before to expect them late Sept/ or early Oct 2014. She then said to call back in November. This really left me with a positive outlook. (sarcasm)

As I said, I don't think Bilstein has a clue when they will be available. To be honest, I didn't get any sense that there is any sense of urgency at all on their part or that they really care. How much difference could there be between the 2013 & 2014, I don't think we are re-inventing the wheel here.

Looks like I may go with a levelling kit instead.......I wonder how many others like me Bilstein will lose sales from. Oh well, they don't seem to care.

Crooks · October 22, 2014

I went with a level kit a year ago. Still waiting bilstein

revitupfaster · October 22, 2014

I went with a level kit a year ago. Still waiting bilstein

Which kit did you go with, and how much was the actual lift specified in the kit? Did your truck end up with the look you wanted?

I'm totally new to lift/levelling, so I really have no idea if one is better than the other. There seems to be a very wide range in prices, but I don't know what the differences are.

I just want a "level" look for the truck.......no oversize tires or any of that stuff.

REV

4x4Hank · October 24, 2014

I have a 2014 Silverado Double Cab, Z71, and have been doing a lot of reading about levelling kits, and as the topic indicates, the Bilstein 5100 series, ride height adjustable shocks.

I know the 5100's are not yet available for the 2014's, but understand they will be either in late Sept. or Oct.

Anyway, I only want to level the truck, I have no intention of wanting more clearance for larger wheels/tires, I just want to take some of the "Rake" out of it. I have sort of decided that going the "Bilstein 5100" adjustable shock route is somewhat preferrable over that of just a levelling kit.

As I understand it, the 5100 adjustable shock has 4 positions of adjustability; Stock / +150mm (5/8") / +300mm (1 1/4" & +450mm (1 3/4"). I have measured my truck, and in reality show the rear to be sitting about 3" higher, thats measuring from the ground up to the bottom of the fender well. Is this the proper way to measure to obtain a reasonable representation of the trucks "Levellness"? (If there is such a word as Levellness)

My question is more for those that have gone the Bilstein route, I know it will have to be on models older than the 2014, but the end result should be similar:

1. I don't want to go to the "max" adjustment on the shocks, because I have read that you sacrifice ride quality, the higher you set the shock. What has been your experience? Is there that much of a difference, most seem to think the Bilsteins give a better ride than the "Stock" Rancho Shocks, so this may not be an issue.

2. If I only use the adjustment at the 1 1/4" setting, will I see enough of a height change? As I said, I'm looking to get some/most of the "Rake" out, but I'm not fanatical about ending up perfectly level. It just seems that a 1 1/4" adjustment wouldn't be enough since it appears I have a 3" difference to start with.

Unfortunately, once you tell your installer what setting to use, that's pretty much it. If you decide later you should have used a different setting, thats pretty much the whole job repeated, and you end up paying double.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.........I'm new at this "Levelling" stuff, have never done it before, and I'm a bit apprehensive as I have been told by a few "Automotive" types, that you should just leave the thing "Stock" because levelling leads to trouble down the road.

From what I have read here on this forum, there are plenty of folks here with a lot more experience in this regard than me, and I would really appreciate hearing from you.

REV

Revit,

I'm glad I found your post and this forum. I have the exact same truck as yours (the only difference is I ended up with High Country wheels on mine-long story) and I am considering the same move as you. I just want to level it, no intentions of mounting larger tires. I will keep following this thread and maybe I will find out for sure if the Bilstein 5100's for the 2014's are really available yet.

Hank

revitupfaster · October 24, 2014

Revit,

I'm glad I found your post and this forum. I have the exact same truck as yours (the only difference is I ended up with High Country wheels on mine-long story) and I am considering the same move as you. I just want to level it, no intentions of mounting larger tires. I will keep following this thread and maybe I will find out for sure if the Bilstein 5100's for the 2014's are really available yet.

Hank

Believe me, as I said in my previous post, the Bilsteins are not available for the 2014's. I called Bilstein USA, and again as I said, they seem to have no clue as to when they will be available, and furthermore left me with the impression that they really don't give a $#@*.

I'm still considering going with just a level kit, but have no idea which brand to go with. They seem to be all over the map pricewise, and I have no idea what the differences are. Some of the price differences are pretty healthy, and I would like to know what I'm getting for my money, and if some of the pricer kits are worth the extra coin. I would gladly pay the higher price if someone could explain what the benefit is.

REV

Spurshot · October 24, 2014

Basically, there are top (of the coilover) spacer kits, bottom kits and combinations of these two.

Then you have the adjustable height or lifted height shock assemblies. Some of these have various damping, height and spring flexibility.

sugarjohnson · October 24, 2014

Actually the rears are available with a part number on their website. The person I spoke to stated that once it hits their website it means it's stock and will be available.

Part #33-238319 Rear

Stex · October 25, 2014

Actually the rears are available with a part number on their website. The person I spoke to stated that once it hits their website it means it's stock and will be available.

Part #33-238319 Rear

On my 09, I went with just the rears first to check out the 5100s. Had always run the yellow ones. Really clamed down the rear and bed on ripple roads especially on curves. Put the fronts on soon after that.

I note that the new tundra trd has specially tuned Bilsteins on the truck. Come on GM. For 40-55 grand can we get a shock that cost GM more than 20 bucks.

Spurshot · October 25, 2014

I think gm is clawing out of the hole from the recession still. But I agree, the AT and z71 should have Bilsteins instead of Ranchos. I also think gm should go directly after the Raptor market. That niche market seems to be huge in SoCal. If see them everywhere. They are quite a machine and if gm had something on par, I'd have bought it.

lineman12345678 · October 26, 2014

I have been waiting for the Bilstien's for months now. Every time I call they say next month. I don't think they will be ready until sometime in 2015. They keep saying it's worth the wait. Sorry but I am done waiting. Now I just need to find the best option to level my truck.