Bilstein 5100 adj shocks (front and rear)

5RWill · September 22, 2015

It certainly isn't a coilover improvement or what a 6112 would give you but that should be understood. 6112s are 600$ for a pair last I checked.

They are better than stock though and spacer kits IMO. I was reminded how much I love my truck when I went to Memphis with my cousin in his 2009 Sierra with an RC 2.5 and 295/70/17 toyo mts. Talk about rough it was pretty bad. I didn't think his truck road that rough.

The bilsteins or ranchos which ever you go are a more expensive and proper solution to leveling your truck compared to a spacer. Whether it's worth the price of admission is up to the owner of the truck.

Personally I should've waited and gotten the 6112s. I wanted something with trd pro capability. That said looking at it I felt like I'd need to replace the control arms to fit the damn thing. Might be wrong about that Though.

Edited September 22, 2015 by 5RWill

Dropsix · September 22, 2015

It certainly isn't a coilover improvement or what a 6112 would give you but that should be understood. 6112s are 600$ for a pair last I checked.

They are better than stock though and spacer kits IMO. I was reminded how much I love my truck when I went to Memphis with my cousin in his 2009 Sierra with an RC 2.5 and 295/70/17 toyo mts. Talk about rough it was pretty bad. I didn't think his truck road that rough.

The bilsteins or ranchos which ever you go are a more expensive and proper solution to leveling your truck compared to a spacer. Whether it's worth the price of admission is up to the owner of the truck.

Personally I should've waited and gotten the 6112s. I wanted something with trd pro capability. That said looking at it I felt like I'd need to replace the control arms to fit the damn thing. Might be wrong about that Though.

It's just really weird to see so many people put in 2" spacers and then comment that the ride is exactly the same.

Then others say the ride is too rough.

nadrojcote · September 22, 2015

It's just really weird to see so many people put in 2" spacers and then comment that the ride is exactly the same.

Then others say the ride is too rough.

I put as 1.5" spacer lift on with my stock ranchos and it was stiff. I took it off and installed it on my cousins stock z60 silverado and it rides pretty much exactly the same as stock. I personally really like the z60 shocks.

eatnupbyatornadr · September 22, 2015

Yours were on the highest setting right? I wonder how different it feels from 1.8 to 1.2"

2014 1500 4x4 LT. I'm on the 1.26" setting. I bought these shocks after i found a new fly fishing hike that begins where a fire road ends. That road was so i washed out i was bouncing up and down like a jackrabbit on crack. I seriously could not go faster than 5-10 mph without the front end uncontrollably hopping. The weekend after the install I went back to the same road and gave it a whirl... now i can just zip right through most parts. Overall it's a very firm ride that leaves me feeling "in control" of the truck at all times. These are definitely one of the best buys i've made for this truck.

crushNchowda · September 22, 2015

In my case I didn't find it a night and day difference from stock to the 5100's. The Bilsteins are an improvement, truck feels better over large dips, and more composed on the highway or towing a trailer, just not the night and day difference that allot of people were describing. I still think they are a solid purchase but if you just want a lift you could do spacers, or if you are really set on improving ride quality you are gonna have to dish out on some Fox/King Coilovers or wait for the Bilstein 6112's which haven't even been officially announced.

Isn't one of the main benefits of using the bilsteins in place of a regular block level kit (aside from the higher quality/ride over OEM or rancho) that they do not throw off suspension/control arm angles, don't chew up ball joints, and don't throw off alignment specs gradually over time?

That is the main driver behind getting these over a level kit

Dropsix · September 22, 2015

2014 1500 4x4 LT. I'm on the 1.26" setting. I bought these shocks after i found a new fly fishing hike that begins where a fire road ends. That road was so i washed out i was bouncing up and down like a jackrabbit on crack. I seriously could not go faster than 5-10 mph without the front end uncontrollably hopping. The weekend after the install I went back to the same road and gave it a whirl... now i can just zip right through most parts. Overall it's a very firm ride that leaves me feeling "in control" of the truck at all times. These are definitely one of the best buys i've made for this truck.

Hmmm, most of that sounds good. Except for the "very firm ride" part. haha.

WendysOrBust · September 22, 2015

Hmmm, most of that sounds good. Except for the "very firm ride" part. haha.

Its hard to describe, traditionally when going to "softer" shock additional body roll or unwanted movements are introduced. In my experience this isn't the case with the 5100's. During highway driving the truck feels firm and planted, but in off-road settings, where the shock really shines, the Bilsteins really soak up the bumps or uneven surfaces.

nadrojcote · September 22, 2015

Its hard to describe, traditionally when going to "softer" shock additional body roll or unwanted movements are introduced. In my experience this isn't the case with the 5100's. During highway driving the truck feels firm and planted, but in off-road settings, where the shock really shines, the Bilsteins really soak up the bumps or uneven surfaces.

For some the highest setting is too stiff. Understandable at that height.

My 4600's which are essentially 5100's at stock height ride softer over cracks and rail road tracks than stock ranchos, have less body roll and handle large bumps better.

5RWill · September 22, 2015

It's just really weird to see so many people put in 2" spacers and then comment that the ride is exactly the same.

Then others say the ride is too rough.

It's going to be subjective with everyone. I can tell you for a fact my brothers 2012 is rough with a 2" spacer as is my cousins 2009. Maybe the 14s are different in that regard. But it makes sense to me as your limiting the travel of your suspension with a spacer.

WendysOrBust · September 22, 2015

Increased Rebound Control

The lift on the 5100 Series leveling shocks is achieved by increasing the preload on the factory coil. By adding more preload, the shock is designed with more rebound damping as compared to the O.E. or standard aftermarket replacement shock. Considering that Bilstein is the world leader in monotube gas pressure shocks absorbers, we are in the unique position to offer a leveling shock with the perfect damping rates, optimizing your ride and handling characteristics. The result is a much smoother and better controlled ride than the factory coilover set up can deliver.

http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_us/pdfs/Bil_LevShks_WebArticle.pdf

The added stiffness from the highest settings comes from the increased pre-load on the front coils. A lower setting would, theoretically yield a softer ride.

Dropsix · September 22, 2015

Yeah I can imagine. Just wondering how much the 1.8 to 1.2 makes a difference. These are expensive trial and errors haha. I'd like to get it right on the first shot.

I know that increasing the pre-load on my atv makes a world of difference, for sure.

5RWill · September 25, 2015

If i were about to spend 400$ again i'd convince my past self to spend 200ish more and get 6112s

Once the strut is mounted the only weight putting load on the spring is the truck. As this is how the increase in height is achieved, you raise the spring perch, the springs displacement stays the same. Technically it is pre-load but i'm not sold that the perceived roughness is attributed to that alone. I can't comment if they ride worse or not though i have mine at 1.8 and really like them. Haven't tried them at a different height. I know some talked about doing 1.5" or whatever and then buying spacers but that's defeating the entire purpose of ever buying the shocks to begin with.

Dopsix what is your rake amount? I had roughly 3" of rake i now sit at a little over an inch and i have people tell me my truck is squatting or appears to be. I've probably said it a lot in this thread but at least for the highest setting you will feel small bumps. So if you live in a place like i do with horrible roads and don't like feeling the tar patches over cracks and such, you probably wont like it. If however your wanting to dampen large bumps, railroad tracks, woops, and give yourself a little more ability in hitting the trails, turn roads, hunting camp, what have you they will be worth it. There is a turn road about 200yds to the right of those woods behind my truck that i've gone down at 55mph just to mess around and see how they handled. It feels like your floating to some extent. I also was discing a field of buckshot and then grading it. When i road to the tractor i just floored it across the field...hell why not? It's 100 acres of fun right? Had a glass of water that spilled albeit a little and it was a tad bouncy but really not bad at all. I mean we're talking about disced up field.

Other than that you need to find someone who has them, that will be the tell tell as to whether or not you feel they're worth the money.

nadrojcote · September 25, 2015

6112's are over $500usd more than 5100's and that's just the front pair.

5RWill · September 25, 2015

Yup they are expensive. But if I had it to do again I would get them.

nadrojcote · September 25, 2015

Yup they are expensive. But if I had it to do again I would get them.

Same, I just couldn't wait any longer so I ordered 4600's. I didn't want a lift and would have ran the 6112's at stock height. If I was to wait for the 6112's I'd have to change my shocks in my gravel driveway during winter again like I did when I installed my quicklifts. It's not very fun.

I'm very happy with the ride from the 4600's. After about 500km they've broken in nicely.