Bilstein 5100 adj shocks (front and rear)

randalldavis · January 13, 2015

I finally got the front installed along with the rear.

I wasn't too interested in changing the ride height, so I just set the fronts one slot up from stock.

My goal was just to improve on the ride smoothness, and now the ride is much smoother.

I live on a country road that is pretty rough (patched pot holes galore) and there are several speed bumps (huge) on the way to work.

The truck (stock) rode pretty bouncy on the pot hole road and like a bucking bronco over the speed bumps, and now it just glides over them.

Definitely worth the cost just for the ride improvement.

Thanks

Randall

Steelerville · January 13, 2015

I installed mine this past weekend. What a Pita it was. I rented a spring compressor which was barely strong enough to compress the spring or my air gun wasnt strong enough. anyway. Install advice.

It is very easy to pull the whole thing out. Once you do that - take to a tire shop and have them collaspe the spring. Well worth the $40 dollars I paid for them to do it. I also realized after figting with the drivers side to remove the upper control arm and sway bar link when re-installing the coliover, I did remove the sway bar link on the first side. This makes the process so much easier.

I wasnt sure I agreeed with Bilstein torque of only 19ft lbs on the lower and upper shock. I did it but it bothers me. Factory is 37ft lbs.

the ride quality - well I'm on the fence, it appears to be stiffer, guess that is to be expected since the spring is compressed more, even know Bilstein say thats not going to happen. I was going for a leveling job and hoping for a better ride (even knowing the factory ride IMO was great) or not to ruin the ride. So far I give it a B+. didnt improve the ride and didn;t really hurt it either. I installed front and back. I do think the rear is a big difference.

Greg

WendysOrBust · January 13, 2015

Does anyone know what are the factory spring rates for the 14' trucks? The 5100's would be a great cheap coilover option with some softer springs.

Steelerville · January 13, 2015

Hey chuck1219, not that I'm a pro but I believe you install your rear shocks upside down. The body of the shock attaches to the lower bracket.

sugarjohnson · January 13, 2015

Hey chuck1219, not that I'm a pro but I believe you install your rear shocks upside down. The body of the shock attaches to the lower bracket.

Nope... I have them as well and they are different for 14 now. Black boot down.

While I'm at it I ordered my fronts and am willing to pay my dealer to do it because its a PITA and its freakin cold here in WI. Two dealers treating me like I'm carzy to suggest such a job. Starting to piss me off!

Edited January 13, 2015 by sugarjohnson

Steelerville · January 13, 2015

Oh on my 2015 they are opposite, body down boot up. I guess they changed them between 14 and 15. The dealer thot i was crazy too. Then wanted to charge almost 500 to put them on the front. I went the PITA way and learned a few things.

Steelerville · January 13, 2015

Oh on my 2015 they are opposite, body down boot up. I guess they changed them between 14 and 15. The dealer thot i was crazy too. Then wanted to charge almost 500 to put them on the front. I went the PITA way and learned a few things.

chuckl1218 · January 13, 2015

Oh on my 2015 they are opposite, body down boot up. I guess they changed them between 14 and 15. The dealer thot i was crazy too. Then wanted to charge almost 500 to put them on the front. I went the PITA way and learned a few things.

Double checked with Bilstein AND Allshocks.com (as well as others on here) boots down, logo and writing so you can read it for the 2014. Having the fronts installed tomorrow by my dealer.

Edited January 13, 2015 by chuckl1218

sugarjohnson · January 13, 2015

Oh on my 2015 they are opposite, body down boot up. I guess they changed them between 14 and 15. The dealer thot i was crazy too. Then wanted to charge almost 500 to put them on the front. I went the PITA way and learned a few things.

Are you sure about the boot orientation? The part numbers are the same between 14-15. When I called Bilstein they said orient the shock so the label is able to be read right side up. On mine and others this equates to boot down. Confusing as hell? Personally I like the look of boot up better.

sugarjohnson · January 13, 2015

Double checked with Bilstein AND Allshocks.com (as well as others on here) boots down, logo and writing so you can read it for the 2014. Having the fronts installed tomorrow by my dealer.

He beat me to it!

Steelerville · January 13, 2015

That's odd, I just put them on the same way the Roncho were on, boot up. Guess mine are on wrong

Skeeter McSkeet · January 13, 2015

Anyone put the adjustables on yet?

-Britt

Steelerville · January 13, 2015

Chuckl1218, thanks for posting pic. I installed mine wrong. They are now on correctly.

hokis · January 15, 2015

any pictures guys?

Notenoughtoys · January 20, 2015

Got my 5100 installed today. Max ride height in front. After reading all the stories about install nightmares I decided to pay for someone to install them. Ride is significantly better! I would recommend them but it will run around $800 with install. Well worth it in my opinion. Here's the before and after pics.