Bilstein 5100 adj shocks (front and rear)

hokis · December 17, 2014

Alright guys so I have been reading that the shocks we have all been waiting for are coming out in January. They also say that they will be back ordered like crazy. So a couple questions for the people that have done this before. All you have to do is transfer over the springs correct? I have also seen on the web that they make a rear shock that evidently adds 1" to the rear. I saw a couple of you guys with 2014's have put them on your trucks I am also planning to do a 1.5" body lift. If anyone has installed this themselves let me know if it is worth it just to pay someone to put it on.

Edited December 17, 2014 by hokis

Spurshot · December 17, 2014

The rear shocks don't add any height. They are only shocks.

The front shocks accommodate the upper and lower OEM spring pad. The lower spring pad register location is controlled by a snap ring which can be placed in one of 4 locations (old version). This facilitates the ride height adjustment.

These front shocks require compressing the spring in order to disassemble/assemble the coil over shock assembly. Taking a ball joint loose is required to remove and replace the coil over assembly. Probably best to have someone do this if you are asking about it.

The rear shocks are simple to replace. Jacking makes it easier with their gas pressure which pushes them out. Anyone with a socket set and a floorjack can do this job in 1/2 hr.

Crooks · December 17, 2014

I put the longer rear shocks on and like them I also have a 1" larger block in the rear. No floor jacket was needed for the rear shocks.

arkenzo · December 17, 2014

Rent a spring compressor from Autozone for the fronts, isn't difficult at all, should take about an hour or so for the fronts.

Spurshot · December 18, 2014

Rent a spring compressor from Autozone for the fronts, isn't difficult at all, should take about an hour or so for the fronts.

Agreed. It's not particularly difficult. But it may not be for everyone. The time to replace the front shocks for the first timer can be pretty long or short depending on his experience. I could see someone inexperienced messing around and taking all day. An hour would be pretty exceptional, IMO...someone that is sure of what he's doing. I bet most are in the middle.

arkenzo · December 18, 2014

Agreed. It's not particularly difficult. But it may not be for everyone. The time to replace the front shocks for the first timer can be pretty long or short depending on his experience. I could see someone inexperienced messing around and taking all day. An hour would be pretty exceptional, IMO...someone that is sure of what he's doing. I bet most are in the middle.

True, did not mean to sound like a pro, i've just done some suspension work on previously owned cars, from just replacing springs to doing front/rear racing coilovers. For beginners I can see it taking a lot longer than an hour for the fronts.

Spurshot · December 18, 2014

True, did not mean to sound like a pro, i've just done some suspension work on previously owned cars, from just replacing springs to doing front/rear racing coilovers. For beginners I can see it taking a lot longer than an hour for the fronts.

No sweat. My brother and I just replaced the UCAs on my old/his new 2008 with the UCAs I took off my 2014. I had very recent experience in the job, having just put King shocks and Cognito UCAs on my 2014. My brother is a good mechanic and together we finished the UCA replacements on both sides, along with a tire rotation we threw in the mix at the last minute, in about 1 1/2 hrs. We had air impacts and I knew exactly what we were going to do. But we weren't in a big hurry either. I think knowing exactly what to do and not having to contemplate your next move, saves a bunch of time.

fondupot · December 18, 2014

swapping springs is a piece of cake. If you have a good spring compressor.

Keep in mind, you will need an alignment after messing with the front end.

hokis · December 19, 2014

thanks for the help guys. That is what I thought about the springs. Shouldn't take me all day lets hope. Any one have experience with a body lift?

Steelerville · December 31, 2014

I just ordered the new 5100 adjustable for a 2015 4x4 AT double cab. I read a lot of post for lifting the fronts and just couldnt bring myself to use a spacer. I found the shocks last night front and back for 14/15 models. I called around and no one carried them. Check Bilsteins website and the query said they don't have that part yet. Order them off company from a California, I skeptical and ask why they had them and no else does. He gave me the answer he knows the guy at Bilstein and was giving 10 sets. I believe their are 4 or 5 left.

The dealer is sevensaturdays.com

part # 24-238304

chuckl1218 · December 31, 2014

Allshocks.com has both front and rear 5100 Bilstein shocks in stock.

Steelerville · December 31, 2014

Sorry just noticed my post above

Edited December 31, 2014 by Steelerville

thetruck454 · December 31, 2014

The rear shocks don't add any height. They are only shocks.

The front shocks accommodate the upper and lower OEM spring pad. The lower spring pad register location is controlled by a snap ring which can be placed in one of 4 locations (old version). This facilitates the ride height adjustment.

These front shocks require compressing the spring in order to disassemble/assemble the coil over shock assembly. Taking a ball joint loose is required to remove and replace the coil over assembly. Probably best to have someone do this if you are asking about it.

The rear shocks are simple to replace. Jacking makes it easier with their gas pressure which pushes them out. Anyone with a socket set and a floorjack can do this job in 1/2 hr.

You don't just compress the spring an unbolt the shock to take them out, that's needlessly over complicated. Never done one on a GMT 900 or K2xx just other vehicles and all I had to do was compress it and unbolt it.

arkenzo · December 31, 2014

You don't just compress the spring an unbolt the shock to take them out, that's needlessly over complicated. Never done one on a GMT 900 or K2xx just other vehicles and all I had to do was compress it and unbolt it.

Did you use a jack to compress it? that could be done, though it's a little dangerous, i always fear that spring will pop out and smack me . Spring compressor works very well and is safe. Just another method i guess.

thetruck454 · December 31, 2014

No I rented a spring compressor from napa to take it out then put it in a 20ton press to remove the spring compressor and then use the press to slowly relieve the compression on the spring.

Edited December 31, 2014 by thetruck454