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Bilstein 5100 adj shocks (front and rear)

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fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
Posted

Yep, I get it. Mine is a Silverado LTZ, but just bounced a lot. Much more controlled now. I don't even have to slow down at railroad crossing any more. Wife used to say the truck bounced so much that it made her feel like a "bobble head". No more...much more smooth and controlled.

Did the rear install myself. Dealer installed my fronts and aligned for $300.

 

Thanks man.

 

Funny you mentioned railroad crossing. I went over a railroad crossing in the 2015 loaner and compared it to my 2014 this morning, and it was way rougher going over it with my 2014.

 

They definitely changed up the valving or something on the All Terrain shocks from 2014 to 2015. Both trucks are nearly identical. The 2015 is a crew cab though, my truck is a double cab. But both have all-terrain Z71, 20" wheels/tires, same air pressures too.

 

Looking forward to the Bilsteins for sure.

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chuckl1218
chuckl1218

Installed the rear 5100's today. Short test ride afterward. Smoothed out some bumps noticibly. This is while it was still on the jacks. Can't wait to install fronts now.

calgator73
calgator73

Just had mine put on front/rear.....rides amazing.   Update....the best comparison I can make is that the 5100s ride like factory autoride shocks on my denali....always composed. Several large spee

Spurshot
Spurshot

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 wh

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Welder2014 Enthusiast

Welder2014

Posted
Posted

I had set of the 5100s installed on my 2010 Sierra ext cab with preload set at one down from the top setting lifted front up think about 3/4". Just my opinion it really lost any ride quality very rough any bumps the front suspension did not react at all just pounded the front. Another $300 had the spring settings set at the factory preload another alinement rode much better suspension working as designed smooth. Guess i felt dumb paying hundreds of dollars and having the truck just pound it self to pieces because the front springs were preloaded to much. I now have a 2014 would never do the lift thing again.

fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
Posted (edited)

I had set of the 5100s installed on my 2010 Sierra ext cab with preload set at one down from the top setting lifted front up think about 3/4". Just my opinion it really lost any ride quality very rough any bumps the front suspension did not react at all just pounded the front. Another $300 had the spring settings set at the factory preload another alinement rode much better suspension working as designed smooth. Guess i felt dumb paying hundreds of dollars and having the truck just pound it self to pieces because the front springs were preloaded to much. I now have a 2014 would never do the lift thing again.

 

Yea, I don't plan on lifting the front end. Gonna put the shocks at the factory height settings.

 

Lmao, you'll laugh, but I went with the 5100 over the 4600 because of the color of the shocks. I thought the blue/yellow of the 4600's was an eye sore compared to the 5100's black/silver.

Edited by fondupot
chuckl1218 Senior Enthusiast

chuckl1218

Posted
Posted (edited)

Yea, I don't plan on lifting the front end. Gonna put the shocks at the factory height settings.

 

Lmao, you'll laugh, but I went with the 5100 over the 4600 because of the color of the shocks. I thought the blue/yellow of the 4600's was an eye sore compared to the 5100's black/silver.

I wanted the 4600's, but they weren't out yet, so Bilstein recommended 5100 for same price at the time. My 5100's are at stock ride height too.

I agree, The silver is kinda snappy with the black boot on the back installed downward.

Edited by chuckl1218
LawmanSS Senior Enthusiast

LawmanSS

Posted
Posted

So, the ride quality is the same between the 4600 and the 5100? I have a 2015 crew cab with the Ranchos and I hate how bouncy they are. I don't want to change stance, just want to improve the ride quality.

fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
Posted

So, the ride quality is the same between the 4600 and the 5100? I have a 2015 crew cab with the Ranchos and I hate how bouncy they are. I don't want to change stance, just want to improve the ride quality.

From what I have read about them. Yes they are basically the same exact shocks. The 5100's just have the option to adjust the spring perch to give front end lift.

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Chad2815 Enthusiast

Chad2815

Posted
Posted

Bilstein actually reccomends not using the 5100's at the factory settings, well at least that's what they told me when I called them. I'm sure it doesn't make that much of a difference though, that factory ride isn't hard to beat. I was going to leave mine at stock until they reccomends otherwise. The silver def looks a lot better than the blue and yellow though.

chuckl1218 Senior Enthusiast

chuckl1218

Posted
Posted

From what I have read about them. Yes they are basically the same exact shocks. The 5100's just have the option to adjust the spring perch to give front end lift.

 

Yep, that's what I was told by Bilstein and Allshocks.com (where I bought mine from)...

5RWill Enthusiast

5RWill

Posted
Posted

wb2yw5.jpg

 

More Pichers!! I'll be trying to get mine installed Wed or Thurs.

5RWill Enthusiast

5RWill

Posted
Posted

Local Gateway tire quoted me at 203$ to install all four shocks and align it. Seems incredibly cheap.

calgator73 Senior Enthusiast

calgator73

Posted
Posted

Local Gateway tire quoted me at 203$ to install all four shocks and align it. Seems incredibly cheap.

Use caution on the alignment....after reading about the steering wheel angle sensor alignment requirement (for the electric power steering to correct for road crowns) I started asking local shops if they had the ability to do that procedure. In every case I was told no. So I ended up at the dealer.

5RWill Enthusiast

5RWill

Posted
Posted

Then i'll be going to hefner motors in batesville, they're a dealer. Quoted me 300$. Can also ask about the windsheild. Which has a 12" crack on it.

5RWill Enthusiast

5RWill

Posted
Posted

Gotta take measurements when I get home. Here it is though 414$ and 3 hours later.

7bf1f998cd9e1bf371f211c1b8d410e2.jpg0cdb9279f07825d84efee85839aaf718.jpg

dboot66 Enthusiast

dboot66

Posted
Posted

Just had the 5100s installed yesterday. Went with one click down from max height setting on the front. Ride is MUCH improved over the crappy stock Ranchos. I feel like it hits the potholes, railroad tracks, etc with less bouncing in the seat compared to the stock Ranchos. Just feels tighter and more controlled on the road, with still being smoother than the Ranchos. Very happy with the outcome.

 

Got a great deal at streetsideauto for $308 shipped. Paid $400 for installation of all 4 plus the alignment - a bit higher than some on the forum but it's a local guy that I've had work on my cars for years and I trust his work.

 

I'm now sitting at 38" front wheel well to ground, and 39.5" rear. Looks way better IMO.

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