Replacement Shocks - Education Needed

Horhay7 · December 9, 2014

Hi Guys, well like many others here, I'm having some problems with the junk Rancho's on my 2014 Sierra 1500. 4k miles on this thing and I'm convinced the rear shocks are the problem. Every morning (moreso when it's been raining), I roll backwards out of my driveway and I get a bad knocking sound. Sounds like the rear shocks are seized up. Sound goes away once I get going and loosen them up. Taken to the dealer and got the old "well I can't reproduce the problem"... big surprise.

Well to the subject of my post, I was thinking of wanting to go with an aftermarket shock at this point anyway if I'm going to have to switch them out. Was never too happy with the harsh ride of the Ranchos and was looking for something a little smoother on those bumpy roads. I don't do much off roading at all, but would really like a smoother pavement ride. I've been looking into the bilstein 5100's since they seem to be very popular on here, but in my inexperience, I'm having a hard time determining whether or not the bilsteins are shocks that would produce the results I want. Can anyone lend any expertise on how to determine the type of ride you'd see for a particular shock? Do you have any alternate recommendations for shocks?

Also, I noticed that every time I read anything on the Bilstein 5100, they talk about them being for lifted trucks. I'm planning on keeping mine stock, but it mentions the bilstein's are for 0" - 2" lift so they should be fine in the rear no?

chuckl1218 · December 9, 2014

Here's some info about the 4600...one forum member talked to someone about their truck and got a recommendation. Maybe this will help.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/165498-towing-shocks-bilstein-5100-vs-4600/?hl=bilstein

Horhay7 · December 10, 2014

Thanks for that! that helped a lot. Sounds like I'd be fine with either the 4600 or the 5100's, but if i want to possibly level in the future, 5100 might be the way to go

Newm · December 10, 2014

If you can wait a little these are the route I will probably end up going....Bilstein 6112's.

Silverado-Hareek · December 10, 2014

Wait for the Bilstein 4600's if you plan to keep the truck stock height. I had them on my 2007 and they were incredible. Worth every penny.

kstruckcountry · December 10, 2014

4600s or 5100s will be good. 5100's are supposedly for lifted pickups but they are available in all kinds of lengths.

fataslp · December 10, 2014

Is it just me or does it look like the 5100's are out.

fondupot · December 10, 2014

Is it just me or does it look like the 5100's are out.

bout damn time!

Stex · December 11, 2014

I have run the yellows and the 5100s. I think the 5100s would be a better fit for the newer trucks. Both add control without harshness. I think the 5100s are better at it than the 4600s. Then again my current 4600s have a couple hundred thousand miles on them. 5100s can lift the nose a little if you so desire.

Crf450r420 · December 14, 2014

If you can wait a little these are the route I will probably end up going....Bilstein 6112's.

Looks good. The shocks also. Great to see a the local girl moving along in the aftermarket industry. Kate Upton (from my home town) is hotter, but doubt she is into cars also making them equally hot.

I had Bilstein shocks on my last truck and after 10 years they were still working perfectly, so I'll be putting them on this truck once the these 6112's come out.

Dnt · January 24, 2015

So George7 (Horhay7) what did you end up getting? and how did they work for you? I have a leaking and noisy Rancho and am considering going aftermarket instead of even messing with the dealership.....

Horhay7 · January 26, 2015

Hey yea I bought the bilstein 5100 for the rears a couple weeks ago but been too cold up here to install it so far. Going to just install the rears for now and buy the fronts a little later. Hopefully the ride will at least feel a little better with just the rears

jeffsig · January 26, 2015

I'll wait for the 6100 series. If replacing just the shocks is an alignment needed?

chuckl1218 · January 26, 2015

I'll wait for the 6100 series. If replacing just the shocks is an alignment needed?

Fonts are actually struts and yes, you'll need an alignment afterward.

Silverado-Hareek · January 26, 2015

Fonts are actually struts and yes, you'll need an alignment afterward.

Technically they aren't struts. They're "coil over shocks." I did a lot of research on this with my 2007 when replacing the shocks. It has to do with the structural attributes of the suspension.

But yes you will need an alignment for sure.

Here's some more info on shocks vs coil over shocks vs struts: http://www.1aauto.com/content/articles/shocks-and-struts