Bilstein 5100 adj shocks (front and rear)

gmyeah · February 17, 2016

See attached pics from this morning, light was a bit dim, but you can clearly tell the difference from stock stance. Unfortunately was too dark when I dropped it off for the install I forgot to take a good "before" shot, I may be able to find a decent one someplace. I definitely will remove the lower valence - I think it will complete the look, and I'm going to have the shop flip the rears so their in the correct position, although to be honest I noticed nothing weird in the ride - its just way better than stock!!

I would like opinions for when I add 286/65/20 BFG KO2's - and they will be the primary tire 9 months of the year - would you mount them on the black granite alloy wheels in these pics or the stock All terrain 20"s? ON the one hand the stock AT rims are "nicer" in terms of finish & quality I think, and IMO are one of the best looking wheels GM has ever made. On the other hand I'm fairly certain the granite alloy wheels are a good amount lighter than the stock AT's - I always notice the winter tire setup is easier to move around though I've never weighed them. It would be nice to offset some of the weight gain from the beefier BFG's by mounting them on a lighter wheel - on the other hand I still like the look of the stock AT's, they have a better finish/clear coat, and are by default more valuable so the option of taking them off in the winter is nice too.

EDIT - forgot to mention, my measured height difference from top of front tire to bottom of wheel well/fender liner in front was a hair over 2" - like 2.1...so I dunno if there is "settling" that will occur, or if the shop inflated my tires more but it was def more than the 1.87" advertised. Not going to complain on that one.

Great additions. It looks great. In my pasy (and on a current truck of mine, 2008 sierra z71 1500) I did the same thing...almost. I put the 5100 series all the way around and have never looked back. I like the shocks and height in the front is great....ride is fine. Although I didn't do the rear block kit . When I did this to the 2008.....it had several miles so the decision of putting all 4 shocks on was easy. So fast forward. On a 2016 I'm going to do the rear block which will give me 1" lift in back and I was going to replace the front shocks almost immediately so I can bring the front end up with the bilstein 5100 ride height adjustables. So, my question is......should I bother with replacing the rear shocks to since I'm going to be installing a firestone air bag system as well? It's just that the rancho shocks are brand frigin new, you know? And I do understand the purpose of the shocks and airbags are different.....I'm just curious if I keep the stock rears since my ride should be improved a bit from the air bag setup anyway. The truck will routinely have a fair bit of payload in it (within the trucks capability) and in the same breath......I want to have a nice stance on it. I know I'm probably starting a debate on stock rancho rear shocks vs rear bilsteins.....but that's ok. Thanks!

Zachlovesfood · February 17, 2016

Try it out with stocks first.

If you don't like it, or if they wear out after 20k~ miles like some Rachos do....

Upgrade!

crushNchowda · February 17, 2016

Great additions. It looks great. In my pasy (and on a current truck of mine, 2008 sierra z71 1500) I did the same thing...almost. I put the 5100 series all the way around and have never looked back. I like the shocks and height in the front is great....ride is fine. Although I didn't do the rear block kit . When I did this to the 2008.....it had several miles so the decision of putting all 4 shocks on was easy. So fast forward. On a 2016 I'm going to do the rear block which will give me 1" lift in back and I was going to replace the front shocks almost immediately so I can bring the front end up with the bilstein 5100 ride height adjustables. So, my question is......should I bother with replacing the rear shocks to since I'm going to be installing a firestone air bag system as well? It's just that the rancho shocks are brand frigin new, you know? And I do understand the purpose of the shocks and airbags are different.....I'm just curious if I keep the stock rears since my ride should be improved a bit from the air bag setup anyway. The truck will routinely have a fair bit of payload in it (within the trucks capability) and in the same breath......I want to have a nice stance on it. I know I'm probably starting a debate on stock rancho rear shocks vs rear bilsteins.....but that's ok. Thanks!

I'd just get the bisltein 5100s for the rear as well- for one, if you plan on adding a 1" taller block setup (2.25") the bilstein shocks are specifically designed to accommodate that extra 1"- they're longer- if you were to add that block to the ranchos it'll effect the ride and damping ability of the shock/shock travel. The other thing is, the stock ranchos get real squirmy on pocked/uneven pavement and make the rear end bounce around and do not feel nearly as controlled as the bilsteins- so the combo of having bilsteins @ max setting in front along w/ crappy ranchos in back compromised in travel w/ the added blocks would probably equate to a strange ride in general. Lastly- the rears are cheaper than the fronts and super easy to install so it's a no-brainer IMO to do all 4.

The ranchos may be new, but they're junk. Keep in mind I already had an AT '14 sierra w/ same shocks totaled @ 40k miles, when compared to my new '15 (kept ranchos on for about 5500 miles) the difference in ride was astonishing, the ranchos on the 14 were most likely shot @ 25k to be honest. They do ride "ok" when brand new- but pale in comparison to the bilsteins, the biggest difference I noticed w/ the bilsteins is how much more planted and controlled the truck feels over uneven pavement and when cornering- despite being raised 2" all around it actually handles MUCH better- I would compare the difference in handling to adding bigger sway bars & tighter end links to a car- that's how big a difference it felt. The ranchos have the truck feeling bouncy & cause more body roll in turns.

5RWill · February 19, 2016

Agreed the ranchos are a pavement shock that's pretty much it. Hit a large hole, bump, whoop, or cross a rail road track and it seems like the body is bouncing off the chassis with the ranchos. It's greatly reduced with the bilsteins. As such the ride is a little stiffer when going over cracks and binds in the pavement. But you trade one for the other. I do wish i would've held out for 6112s. Would love to have that huge 60mm shock.

gmyeah · March 9, 2016

Agreed the ranchos are a pavement shock that's pretty much it. Hit a large hole, bump, whoop, or cross a rail road track and it seems like the body is bouncing off the chassis with the ranchos. It's greatly reduced with the bilsteins. As such the ride is a little stiffer when going over cracks and binds in the pavement. But you trade one for the other. I do wish i would've held out for 6112s. Would love to have that huge 60mm shock.

Thanks for the information. I haven't made a decision yet, but honestly I think the Bilstein 5100 series shock is a pavement shock as well. This is coming directly from Bilstein. I'm sure it's a better shock and I've been super happy with the ones I've put on trucks before, but they'll tell you it's meant to be a direct replacement with very similar ride characteristics. I'm guessing it will hold up better long term, but as far as feeling night/day differences when comparing both shocks (new)....I don't think it will happen.

5RWill · March 10, 2016

I have to disagree. They market them as an off road oriented shock. Just like the 6112s and the ones on the ram rebel.

They feel very different to me. Not sure how one could not feel the difference. Granted I have mine at max setting.

But I think you'll like them over the ranchos. Bilsteins should come standard on these trucks IMHO.

gmyeah · March 10, 2016

I have to disagree. They market them as an off road oriented shock. Just like the 6112s and the ones on the ram rebel.

They feel very different to me. Not sure how one could not feel the difference. Granted I have mine at max setting.

But I think you'll like them over the ranchos. Bilsteins should come standard on these trucks IMHO.

Good to know. You've got a good point there with the setting now that I think about it. I have had most of the trucks on the 1.25" setting, so I'm not nearly seeing difference most likely. At least for the next vehicle, I will have them at the max setting of 1.85" in the front, so should look good....and perform good. It might be a little bit, but I'll post my thoughts when my comparisons are done! Thanks again.

NEMESIS-A/T · April 30, 2016

Can you guys give any height gained numbers per setting? So with 4 settings we know the bottom one gives no lift.

What does the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th setting yield?

Not talking about what Bilstein claims but what you guys with experience got. Like after the truck had time to settle what you actually got lift wise per settling.

Tong Lu · May 2, 2016

Just ordered these. Will install the rear first.

I have a 2.5 inch RC leveling kit on the front of my 14 Silverado and was thinking about putting this on the max setting along with the leveling kit. Anyone done this yet or if that's even possible without changing out the UCA? If it works, I plan on putting a 2 inch block in the rear to level it out.

Kayslay · May 26, 2016

Like the previous poster, I have a 2.5" Rc kit with 1" in the back. Interested in upgrading to 5100s all around. I don't want to go any taller, would I just replace the ranchos with the 5100s at the stock setting since I have the level already? Or would I need to crank up the bilsteins cause I have a level installed. What would be my best option? Would also be interested in the 6112s but who knows when those are out. Thx

jrob56 · May 26, 2016

Don't stack the lifts, we have had people post doing similar and mixed results. Either leave spacer and put on stock setting or pull spacer and use the leveling on the shock.

I will pull my spacer for the 6112 when the time comes or 5100 if 6112 doesn't get great reviews.

valleyfreak45 · May 26, 2016

Does anyone know exact tools aside from a spring compressor for install? Just want to double check before I tear the truck apart

Kayslay · May 27, 2016

Don't stack the lifts, we have had people post doing similar and mixed results. Either leave spacer and put on stock setting or pull spacer and use the leveling on the shock.

I will pull my spacer for the 6112 when the time comes or 5100 if 6112 doesn't get great reviews.

Thanks. I think I'll leave the spacer and see how it rides, and can always pull spacer later if needed