Bilstein shocks thread

Hiserman79 · April 25, 2017

Why is that? If I buy them i plan on going with the third setting and am curious why you would go with the highest instead. I figure you will achieve better ride on the third setting instead of the highest

I spoke at length with bilstein engineers they claim ride difference is negligible. I can go into further details if you'd like. I've also drove a truck set on 2nd to highest and my truck set on max height. Myself and the guy who owns the truck not on max agree there is no noticeable difference in ride quality

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MRTMotorsports · April 25, 2017

There you go! Jack it up! For local customers, we have only put them on the lowest setting (when used with spacers or lifts), or the highest setting.

Grjfer · April 26, 2017

Installed the Bilstein 5100's on the rear today. Firmer ride and the rear stays more planted. Much improved. Next on the to do list is the fronts. I will be replacing the front RC level /lift with the Bilstein's.

Mg1221 · April 26, 2017

Oh no, sorry to here of the install troubles. So, lets first check the part number to make sure you got the right shocks. Are they factory upper mounts, or aftermarket like Monroe?

5100s all the way around. 1st or 2nd setting only on the front.

I have since found out the problem. So i called bilstein and the tech asked me if I have a denali with the magentic auto ride. I said yes i have a denali but didnt know about the magneride. He went on the say that bilstein currently does not have anything compatible with that system at the moment.

So i opted for the rough country 2.5" leveling kit that as the small bracket to extend the sensor rod. (I wanted the suspensionMAXX kit but with CAD exchange rate and shipping, would have been way too much)

Ill be sure to post some pics when its done

Edited April 26, 2017 by Mg1221

OutBurst · April 27, 2017

5100s all the way around. 1st or 2nd setting only on the front.

I just spent the past two hours reading ALL 60 pages in this thread and I am still nowhere nearer to making a decision.

I am not partial to keeping or removing the 1" front spacer. I want the best, most controlled ride possible.

My opinions are this:

COA #1: Keep 1" front spacer and install 5100's at stock height setting

COA #2: Remove 1" front spacer and install 5100's at third height setting

A 1" spacer is really nothing to begin with so I shouldn't have any issues. However, the higher the 5100 height setting, it appears the firmer the ride is - this is why I am partial to COA #1. However, with the 5100's being slightly longer than stock shocks, there might be suspension geometry issues adding them to my 1" spacer (albeit the issue seems minimal).

I am installing these shocks because my stock ride sucks and I have the most uncontrollable 'porpoising' while towing.

Final suggestion?

Hiserman79 · April 27, 2017

I just spent the past two hours reading ALL 60 pages in this thread and I am still nowhere nearer to making a decision.

I am not partial to keeping or removing the 1" front spacer. I want the best, most controlled ride possible.

My opinions are this:

COA #1: Keep 1" front spacer and install 5100's at stock height setting

COA #2: Remove 1" front spacer and install 5100's at third height setting

A 1" spacer is really nothing to begin with so I shouldn't have any issues. However, the higher the 5100 height setting, it appears the firmer the ride is - this is why I am partial to COA #1. However, with the 5100's being slightly longer than stock shocks, there might be suspension geometry issues adding them to my 1" spacer (albeit the issue seems minimal).

I am installing these shocks because my stock ride sucks and I have the most uncontrollable 'porpoising' while towing.

Final suggestion?

Bilstein highly suggest no other type of level blocks on front end. Probably in this thread I already stated this but just in case I'll say it again. I spoke at length with bilstein engineers regarding the front height setting and ride quality. They stated ride quality between the setting is negligible. This is why the highest setting doesn't quite lvl the truck (less than 1/2 inch off) because any higher setting would begin to deminish ride quality. I also was lucky enough to ride in a truck on the 2nd to highest setting and it rides no different than mine on max. Put your mind at ease quit taking all us internet certified mechanics as fact and call bilstein yourself they are awesome.

With that being said the ride is amazing. Worth every penny to get ride of the bouncy bouncy crap ranchos. Live near so IN come on by let's go for a ride.

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SkiBum5.0 · April 27, 2017

Just got the 5100's on all 4 corners, front set at max height. Big improvement in looks, and the ride is better in every way compared to the Ranchos. Truck had 32K miles and the rear Ranchos were toast for the second time.

MRTMotorsports · April 27, 2017

Thanks for the continued orders everyone!!

Be sure to check here for the latest Bilstein shock deals - http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/197020-set-of-4-bilstein-5100s-under-350-delivered/

I just spent the past two hours reading ALL 60 pages in this thread and I am still nowhere nearer to making a decision.

I am not partial to keeping or removing the 1" front spacer. I want the best, most controlled ride possible.

My opinions are this:

COA #1: Keep 1" front spacer and install 5100's at stock height setting

COA #2: Remove 1" front spacer and install 5100's at third height setting

A 1" spacer is really nothing to begin with so I shouldn't have any issues. However, the higher the 5100 height setting, it appears the firmer the ride is - this is why I am partial to COA #1. However, with the 5100's being slightly longer than stock shocks, there might be suspension geometry issues adding them to my 1" spacer (albeit the issue seems minimal).

I am installing these shocks because my stock ride sucks and I have the most uncontrollable 'porpoising' while towing.

Final suggestion?

Option 2

spartantx117 · April 28, 2017

Just installed my 5100s on my 2015 Chevy 1500. I did the rears a few weeks back and finally did the fronts today. I installed them on the highest setting. Took me a while on the first side but the second was pretty fast. I took it for a drive and it's great. Firmed up the front but in a good way. My wife was complaining about how the front end felt since we've had the truck. Took it down some rough gravel roads, bumps, train tracks and am very happy with them. Going to get it aligned Saturday morning. It felt good but I know with any front end work to get it checked. Now to get my air springs and compressor installed on the rear. Just trying to decide on what to go with.

Edited April 28, 2017 by spartantx117

jrob56 · April 28, 2017

Just installed my 5100s on my 2015 Chevy 1500. I did the rears a few weeks back and finally did the fronts today. I installed them on the highest setting. Took me a while on the first side but the second was pretty fast. I took it for a drive and it's great. Firmed up the front but in a good way. My wife was complaining about how the front end felt since we've had the truck. Took it down some rough gravel roads, bumps, train tracks and am very happy with them. Going to get it aligned Saturday morning. It felt good but I know with any front end work to get it checked. Now to get my air springs and compressor installed on the rear. Just trying to decide on what to go with.IMG_611.jpg

What spring compressor did you use on the front and how did it go? Ive had no issues with compressing car springs with auto zones ones but second guessing using those on the truck coils.

spartantx117 · April 28, 2017

What spring compressor did you use on the front and how did it go? Ive had no issues with compressing car springs with auto zones ones but second guessing using those on the truck coils.

spartantx117 · April 28, 2017

I used the spring compressor from Autozone. I'll be honest I was really hesitant and a little worried but they worked well enough. Without my compressor to pull them in I don't know that I could have done it though.

What spring compressor did you use on the front and how did it go? Ive had no issues with compressing car springs with auto zones ones but second guessing using those on the truck coils.

tenhurst · April 28, 2017

if you just wanna level out the truck go 5100's...just installed them,gained 2 inches and seems to ride smoother..but if you gotta off road maybe 6112 the way to go..found them on Amazon for just under a Hundo apieve.

MRTMotorsports · April 28, 2017

What spring compressor did you use on the front and how did it go? Ive had no issues with compressing car springs with auto zones ones but second guessing using those on the truck coils.

Rental compressors should work fine on these, the spring rate isnt as high as some cars. You could always bring the parts to a mechanic shop, shouldn't be more than $50 to assemble new shocks.