Installed Bilstein 5100's today

Thornton · November 12, 2015

I know there are many topics on 5100's. I wanted to share my thoughts about it.

After install and a 30 mile drive with some big speed bumps and rough gravel road, I can tell you it is a night and day difference between the stock ranchos. It really handles the bumps a lot better and feels more in control.

After test drive and everything settled, it looks like I got a little over 2" of lift with them. Before measurements was 36-7/8". After its right at 39-1/8".

i would highly recommend the bilsteins. I am so glad I did It over blocks.

About the truck. 2015 z71 crew 4wd SLT. 2200 miles.

Before measurements

After measurements

[email protected] · November 12, 2015

Nice! Those have been on back order for a couple months, North America wide..did you just purchase them or were yours back ordered too?

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southern_sierra · November 12, 2015

I know there are many topics on 5100's. I wanted to share my thoughts about it.

After install and a 30 mile drive with some big speed bumps and rough gravel road, I can tell you it is a night and day difference between the stock ranchos. It really handles the bumps a lot better and feels more in control.

After test drive and everything settled, it looks like I got a little over 2" of lift with them. Before measurements was 36-7/8". After its right at 39-1/8".

i would highly recommend the bilsteins. I am so glad I did It over blocks.

About the truck. 2015 z71 crew 4wd SLT. 2200 miles.

Before measurements

After measurements

I may be wrong but I think you have the rear shocks on upside down. The writing on the shocks should be right side up. I remember reading this at one time but I could be wrong. Maybe some else will chime in.

chevy15 · November 12, 2015

can these put on in addition to a level kit? I have a 2.25 level but am looking for a little more height...another couple inches would be perfect

Silverado-Hareek · November 12, 2015

I may be wrong but I think you have the rear shocks on upside down. The writing on the shocks should be right side up. I remember reading this at one time but I could be wrong. Maybe some else will chime in.

Yeah I remember reading in one of these threads that the Bilstiens for these new K2 trucks seem to be "upside down" when compared to previous versions because the flexible protective boot end goes on the bottom instead of the top. I'm not sure why Bilstien changed that but yeah I would double check the install instructions.

SMiller · November 12, 2015

Wonder if they will settle a bit and if you will get the same measurements in a week or so?

People that have not had Bilsteins do not understand the night and day difference they make, takes the truck from a rolly Polly sloppy top heavy truck to a perfectly controlled, perfectly handling/braking machine.

CptMcSaug · November 12, 2015

can these put on in addition to a level kit? I have a 2.25 level but am looking for a little more height...another couple inches would be perfect

Anything over 2.5" is going to put alot on the Ball joints and tie rods. I wouldn't recommend it.

Thornton · November 12, 2015

Yeah I remember reading in one of these threads that the Bilstiens for these new K2 trucks seem to be "upside down" when compared to previous versions because the flexible protective boot end goes on the bottom instead of the top. I'm not sure why Bilstien changed that but yeah I would double check the install instructions.

Thanks. I will look into it but I would think it would be a bad idea to have a rubber boot down low running the risk of being ripped when off roading.

Thornton · November 12, 2015

Nice! Those have been on back order for a couple months, North America wide..did you just purchase them or were yours back ordered too?

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Interesting. I bought my truck in August. I ordered them in September. They arrived within a week. It has taken me this long to get time to install them.

I paid 340 for all 4 corners from suspension connection.

crushNchowda · November 12, 2015

Anything over 2.5" is going to put alot on the Ball joints and tie rods. I wouldn't recommend it.

Ahhhh...while that may be true, you do realize these shocks were designed SPECIFICALLY to be used w/ a level/small lift kit right? "BILSTEIN 5100 Series Shock Absorbers are designed specifically to help your lifted truck, Jeep or SUV reach its pinnacle in ride performance, while supplying the correct tuning and length for your specific lift. "- direct from Bilstein.

I do agree that leveling kits cause premature wear to a number of parts and are certainly a "cheapo" way to get some height, and that is why I also have opted to go w/ the 5100's to add a little more height while also getting a better ride without compromising the ball joints, tie rods, front suspension bushings, tire wear etc.

BUT - these shocks have been on backorder as others have mentioned, I purchased mine a month ago still no notification that they have shipped, I spoke to the customer service rep for the place I purchased them from and they indicated late November shipment...hopefully I hear something in the next week or 2.

Anything over 2.5" is going to put alot on the Ball joints and tie rods. I wouldn't recommend it.

Ahhhh...while that may be true, you do realize these shocks were designed SPECIFICALLY to be used w/ a level/small lift kit right? "BILSTEIN 5100 Series Shock Absorbers are designed specifically to help your lifted truck, Jeep or SUV reach its pinnacle in ride performance, while supplying the correct tuning and length for your specific lift. "- direct from Bilstein.

I do agree that leveling kits cause premature wear to a number of parts and are certainly a "cheapo" way to get some height, and that is why I also have opted to go w/ the 5100's to add a little more height while also getting a better ride without compromising the ball joints, tie rods, front suspension bushings, tire wear etc.

BUT - these shocks have been on backorder as others have mentioned, I purchased mine a month ago still no notification that they have shipped, I spoke to the customer service rep for the place I purchased them from and they indicated late November shipment...hopefully I hear something in the next week or 2.

fondupot · November 12, 2015

I may be wrong but I think you have the rear shocks on upside down. The writing on the shocks should be right side up. I remember reading this at one time but I could be wrong. Maybe some else will chime in.

Yes! Here is a pic of mine:

CptMcSaug · November 12, 2015

Ahhhh...while that may be true, you do realize these shocks were designed SPECIFICALLY to be used w/ a level/small lift kit right? "BILSTEIN 5100 Series Shock Absorbers are designed specifically to help your lifted truck, Jeep or SUV reach its pinnacle in ride performance, while supplying the correct tuning and length for your specific lift. "- direct from Bilstein.

I do agree that leveling kits cause premature wear to a number of parts and are certainly a "cheapo" way to get some height, and that is why I also have opted to go w/ the 5100's to add a little more height while also getting a better ride without compromising the ball joints, tie rods, front suspension bushings, tire wear etc.

BUT - these shocks have been on backorder as others have mentioned, I purchased mine a month ago still no notification that they have shipped, I spoke to the customer service rep for the place I purchased them from and they indicated late November shipment...hopefully I hear something in the next week or 2.

Correct they are but they can only handle a Small lift/level, about 2" and if the shock is already giving you 1.75" then you can't really add much more before even these will bottom out. But I would be more worried about the ball joints, tie rods and cv angles at that point.

Also you quoted what would be the rear shock.

This i what Bilstien says about the fronts, which in the post I originally quote he was worrying about, "An extremely affordable and practical alternative to coil spring spacers." Straight from the website

crushNchowda · November 12, 2015

Correct they are but they can only handle a Small lift/level, about 2" and if the shock is already giving you 1.75" then you can't really add much more before even these will bottom out. But I would be more worried about the ball joints, tie rods and cv angles at that point.

Also you quoted what would be the rear shock.

This i what Bilstien says about the fronts, which in the post I originally quote he was worrying about, "An extremely affordable and practical alternative to coil spring spacers." Straight from the website

I hear ya, but if you're so worried about that why didn't you order these to begin w/ instead of a block style kit from rough country??? Even a 2-2.5" leveling kit will put your control arm angles out of wack.

Scott P · November 12, 2015

I've been wanting to add a set to my truck for a while now. I wouldn't mind a smoother ride and slight lift.

CptMcSaug · November 12, 2015

I hear ya, but if you're so worried about that why didn't you order these to begin w/ instead of a block style kit from rough country??? Even a 2-2.5" leveling kit will put your control arm angles out of wack.

Because at 2" I'm not that worried since I don't do a lot of heavy offloading other than my yard. He wanted to add MORE to his 2.25 which is completely different. IF he wants to take that off and run just the shocks then great but stacking 2 leveling kits is a bad idea (<That's what I'm worried about, not my blocks), that's why a lot of people remove the 3.5" RC kit and get a real 4" spindle lift.

2.5" is really the most in any combo IMO that won't cause just a ton of wear. Look through the Suspension Lift thread a lot of guys get the 3.5" lift and remove because of wear or horrible ride. Because its just a huge spacer, but then go talk to guys with BDS or similar and the ride is "stock" like.

OP, make sure to give us an update when you got some miles. A lot of people would like to know how much they settle with some miles on them.