Bilstein 5100 adjustable ride height

Spurshot · January 20, 2015

If your tires don't clear without a leveling, they won't clear when you drive it. Either pick a tire that fits before leveling (if you don't want rubbing/trimming) or it will rub when you turn and cross humps in the street or bumps on the dirt roads. 2" is nothing for your suspension to compress. Just turning onto another neighborhood street at low speed will do that.

5RWill · January 20, 2015

The "old version" of the 5100 gave about 1.8" just like the new one. I had a set. The specific instruction said the lift was 1.75 or 1.8"... I can't recall which, but it was a big question around this forum back then too. The general advertising for the 5100 shocks stated "up to 2.5" of lift". But it was model specific. I think the Toyota 5100s were 2.5", but the GM 5100 was always 1.8".

So don't waste your money on the old 5100 for your new truck. Take advantage of the new valving specific to these trucks.

On the tires, I put my (actual spec) 32.6" x 12.2" (Cooper 305/60-18 (also marked 33x12.50x18)) tires on stock rims on my truck at least a month before I picked the front end up 1 1/2". They never rubbed.

Yup looking back i now i see that the old ones are only 2" as well. Looking at that link i posted i thought it was certainly 2.5".

What were you dimensions before and after? 295/55/20 are only supposed to be 32.9x11.6x20 technically speaking, if i could fit those with 1.8" of lift i would do so. Did you run yours max? I was wanting to know if it's true about the rough ride on the highest ride height setting.

Skeeter McSkeet · January 20, 2015

**Ride heights indicated are typical. Actual ride height is influenced by which factory suspension the vehicle is equipped with and its condition;"

I wonder what the actual difference is that is "influenced by factory suspension"? I saw that the other day and wondered if that means it will be a different height for a z71 vs non. Or am I completely off with that thought?

-Skeet

5RWill · January 20, 2015

If your tires don't clear without a leveling, they won't clear when you drive it. Either pick a tire that fits before leveling (if you don't want rubbing/trimming) or it will rub when you turn and cross humps in the street or bumps on the dirt roads. 2" is nothing for your suspension to compress. Just turning onto another neighborhood street at low speed will do that.

I see. i don't honestly know if i can clear 295/55/20 to the naked eye i would think so. I have a good bit of room with the 32" stock tires that come on it.

Spurshot · January 20, 2015

I see. i don't honestly know if i can clear 295/55/20 to the naked eye i would think so. I have a good bit of room with the 32" stock tires that come on it.

Easiest way to know is to measure it. A stock truck with stock tires is a good place to start.

Start the truck, turn the steering wheel all the way one direction to the stop, run the driver seat all the way forward, loop the seatbelt thru the steering wheel or get a second person to hold it to the stop, leave it running. Get in the wheel well and measure your clearances with a ruler. It's simple math to figure out how much larger a tire you can fit or what offset will work. This really isn't difficult.

IF YOU USE A SECOND PERSON TO HOLD THE WHEEL, MAKE DAMN SURE THEY KNOW YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON THEM NOT MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE YOU ARE IN THE WHEEL WELL. (SEAT BELT IS SAFER)

go3go3go · January 20, 2015

My oe shocks are the red and white Ranchos. Would i see a benefit? Smoother ride?

Spurshot · January 21, 2015

My oe shocks are the red and white Ranchos. Would i see a benefit? Smoother ride?

Yes

EChavez · January 21, 2015

Yes

What would be the lowest setting you can set the ride height at? 1.8" isn't fully leveled so I figured if you can set them at .5" maybe you can stack a 2" spacer? Not even remotely sure if that'd work never dealt wtih shocks. Lol

Spurshot · January 21, 2015

What would be the lowest setting you can set the ride height at? 1.8" isn't fully leveled so I figured if you can set them at .5" maybe you can stack a 2" spacer? Not even remotely sure if that'd work never dealt wtih shocks. Lol

You can set the bilstein 5100 from 0 lift to 1.8" lift in 4 equally spaced positions.

So roughly: 0, +0.6", +1.2", +1.8"

If someone absolutely had to have more than 1.8", I'd say set the shocks to the max (1.8") and use a spacer to get the additional height. Keep in mind, bilstein chose 1.8" for a reason.

EChavez · January 21, 2015

You can set the bilstein 5100 from 0 lift to 1.8" lift in 4 equally spaced positions.

So roughly: 0, +0.6", +1.2", +1.8"

If someone absolutely had to have more than 1.8", I'd say set the shocks to the max (1.8") and use a spacer to get the additional height. Keep in mind, bilstein chose 1.8" for a reason.

The only reason I'd like more lift is because at 2" my truck doesn't sit dead level so at 1.8" I could only imagine it'd sag more. Would it be a better ride if they were set at 1.8"? For some reason I figured if they were set lower they would ride better, but like I said I don't know much about how shocks work.

5RWill · January 21, 2015

I've been wondering if i could somehow acquire that 1/2" spacer from rough country to put on the top of the strut and use the bilsteins at 1.8". 2.3" would in reality be perfect. Though i've always read against using spacers and ride height adjustable struts. I would like to hear bilsteins take on why they went with 1.8" for max height. I need to get under the truck and measure like you said spurshot to see if i could fit the tires anyway. Though at 32.9" almost exactly an inch bigger than my current tires i think i do have an inch or so.

I would like someone to let us know how they ride on max height setting to confirm or deny whether it's rough or not. I had heard they're rough on the max height setting.

Could add this bottom 1/2" spacer.

http://4x4.fatbobsgarage.com/chevroletgmc-1500-pickup-tahoe-suburban-12-leveling-kit-2007-2015-p21675.aspx

Spurshot · January 22, 2015

When using spacers, the ride height change I'd roughly twice the spacer thickness.

How much you lift with a spacer or shock changes the CV joint angles as well as ball joint angle at rest and in the case of spacers, the extended A-arm ball joint angle. The limited upper ball joint angle of these trucks is legendary. Exceed the limit of the upper ball joint angle and the joint will loosen and give premature tire wear. The many aftermarket upper control arms are targeted at addressing this issue.

5RWill · January 22, 2015

So the upper ball joints have little room for any kind of angle? I've noticed at 2.5" the upper UCAs looks pretty much maxed out. Honestly probably need new ones if running over 2.0" which is probably why the Bilsteins are 1.8"

I thought that was only if you used the spacer on the bottom where the shock connects to the lower control arm? Like the rough country 2.5 kit comes with a 1" thick bottom spacer that gives 2" of lift and then a half inch spacer for the top. Maybe I'm mistaken though.

Crooks · January 22, 2015

I have a rough country 2.5" lift which is a 2" spacer under the shock 1/2" spacer above. why not set the bilstein at .6 and run the 2"spacer? My ride hit should be really close to the same it is now

Ezekiel2517 · January 22, 2015

These billstiein shocks look interesting. I was planning on a1.5" spacer but these may be better. I assume that a new alignment is needed after adding them? How easily adjustable are they? If I tried them at 1.8 but wanted 1.2 is that a big deal to change? I want to raise the front end but still want a slight rake. Completely level always looks front high to me. Thanks.