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Will bilsteins fix the ride with levelling kit

Bomberfan

By Bomberfan
in Modifications & Accessories

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Bomberfan Enthusiast

Bomberfan

Posted
Posted

Hey guys, haven't posted for a while. I have a 2014 Silverado CC with Z71. I installed a RC 2.5 level and duratracs and I'm just not happy with the ride. I have read several times that the rancho shocks are not very good and would like to switch to Bilsteins. Would this fix the crappy ride? I am on a budget so hoping I can keep the level cause I like the height.

What model of Bilsteins should I get cause I don't want adjustable ones.

Thanks!

crushNchowda Senior Enthusiast

crushNchowda

Posted
Posted

lol, if you did some research ahead of time you may have found out that Bilstein shocks can BE your leveling kit while aiding ride quality. 5100 series adjustable

 

rancho shocks are weak & wear out extremely fast, but your duratrac tires are LT w/ aggressive tread & will also add to a rougher ride...what psi you running?

HondaHawkGT Senior Enthusiast

HondaHawkGT

Posted
Posted

Spacer kits ruin the ride. Go with leveling struts from Bilstein, Rancho, or Fox Racing. The Bilstein 5100's are popular but the Fox Racing leveling struts look excellent.

Bomberfan Enthusiast

Bomberfan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I have done a lot of reading on the subject and am well aware that the bilsteins are adjustable for levelling however I already have a RC level kit installed and am wondering if the Bilsteins would restore some of the factory ride while keeping the levelling kit. What I have read on the Bilstein adjustables I would have to crank them up to max and still wouldn't get the lift I have now and at max I doubt they would ride any better than the ranchos.

During the test drive the truck rode great but as soon as I installed the level kit the ride changed and then I put on Duratracs (yes they're 10 ply) and the ride got even stiffer. I guess I was hoping that someone had a similar experience and could give some advise.

Also it doesn't seem to matter what psi (within reason) I run although I think I'm usually around 38 psi.

scott19677 Senior Enthusiast

scott19677

Posted
Posted

I just had the same problem after a RC 2.5 level and Nitto Trail Grapplers. The ride and handling was horrible. Sold the Nitto's and put on a set of Cooper AT3's in LT275/70/18's. Night and day difference. I even had a set of shocks on the way from Summit. Sent them back. Ride and handles BETTER than stock now.

 

Edit: btw the Nittos were 285/65's and after swapping to the Coopers I could see where they were rubbing on my (aluminum) UCA's ever so slightly. Probably just the bigger side wall lugs on the more aggressive Nittos. Yeah I lost a few bucks after ditching the Nittos after two weeks but worth every cent.

Zachlovesfood Enthusiast

Zachlovesfood

Posted
Posted

If you're looking to help ride stiffness, replacing your shocks won't help by much. By putting a spacer kit on, you make it harder for the lower control arm to compress the spring. Thus a harsher ride.

I personally have Bilsteins on top setting, and a 1/2" spacer added on top. That's 2.5" and I also have Toyo 33's. The ride is stiff, but it hasn't compromised my liking to the truck.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Skeeter McSkeet Senior Enthusiast

Skeeter McSkeet

Posted
Posted

The bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks shouldn't be much less lift than what you get from the RC 2.5. It's one of the first things I did, been running them for about 35k miles with bfg KO2 and the ride has been better than stock. I highly recommend replacing all 4 corners if you get them.

 

 

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Donstar Senior Enthusiast

Donstar

Posted
Posted

Replacing your shocks will require a great deal of labour and would require no additional effort to remove your spacers and install Bilstein adjustables at one of the middle settings. You'll restore your ride quality and still look leveled (IMO). A 2.5" (front only level) looks nose high to me in many situations. I believe a 1.5" front level looks the best. It also looks easier on your suspension angles. Make sure you have a proper, professional alignment. If you make these changes and still have a rough ride, it's most likely your tires.

crushNchowda Senior Enthusiast

crushNchowda

Posted
Posted

I have done a lot of reading on the subject and am well aware that the bilsteins are adjustable for levelling however I already have a RC level kit installed and am wondering if the Bilsteins would restore some of the factory ride while keeping the levelling kit. What I have read on the Bilstein adjustables I would have to crank them up to max and still wouldn't get the lift I have now and at max I doubt they would ride any better than the ranchos.

During the test drive the truck rode great but as soon as I installed the level kit the ride changed and then I put on Duratracs (yes they're 10 ply) and the ride got even stiffer. I guess I was hoping that someone had a similar experience and could give some advise.

Also it doesn't seem to matter what psi (within reason) I run although I think I'm usually around 38 psi.

I have the 5100s @ full height, plus a 2.25" block kit in rear w/ the bilsteins as well, you DON'T want to add/leave spacers in on top of having the 5100's.....it is kinda the opposite of what you'd be trying to accomplish...kinda like getting a nice paint job then using a sharpie for the pin striping.

 

By my own measurements the bilsteins @ max height gave me just over 2" of lift..like 2.1" - verified checked & double checked both sides. Not sure why mine rose a little higher than the advertised 1.875" but maybe has to do w/ also increasing the rear 1" & running 37 psi in the stock tires. At any rate, the truck handles, rides, corners, & stops MUCH better w/ the bilsteins even @ max height.

 

Do you really think a $50 "lift kit" made outta plastic crap belongs on a $40-60,000 vehicle?

 

You can put the following tires on w/ just the bilsteins @ max height - 275/65R20, 285/55/R20, 305/55R20

 

You can go 34-34.5" w/o rubbing or only having to trim the liner.

 

You can put a 33" tire on @ stock height.

 

I would recommend looking @ the adjustable shocks as others have mentioned.

4

Lastly, w/ a 10 ply LT AT tire on a 1/2 ton you should probably be running more like 42-44 psi front 40-42 rear. Not sure if that'll help or hinder the ride, but 38 def seems on the low side when people regularly run 50+++ psi in these tires w/ 3/4 ton trucks.

Lgetz Senior Enthusiast

Lgetz

Posted
Posted

I would say that the 5100's will not improve your ride with the 2.5 leveling kit. My AT has a 2.5 inch level with 5100's all around fronts set at 0 lift and Toyo RT 33X12.5X20's. The ride is noticeably firmer than stock but the truck looks awesome. Depending on the size of the Duratracs you maybe able to remove the level and reinstall 5100's set for max lift. On my 2014 AT I had them installed with 295/55/20 Toyo AT2's and the ride was slightly firmer but more controlled than stock. IIRC the front was raised a hair over 2 inches with the Bilsteins.

LongrangeLauber Senior Enthusiast

LongrangeLauber

Posted
Posted

I have a 2" level with the adjustable 5100's. Rides like hell. One of these days I'll pull my struts and move the ring so it levels it the same pretty much but hopefully it'll ride better

 

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Bomberfan Enthusiast

Bomberfan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

So you did a mod knowing how poor it makes the ride but now you are not satisfied with the poor ride.

 

Have you considered removing the mod? Do that and install 5100's.

Bomberfan Enthusiast

Bomberfan

Posted
  • Author
Posted

When did I say that I knew this would make my ride poor? I am on a budget and spending $400 to lift a truck 2.5" seemed like the best way to go. I didn't realize it would change the ride and the tires of course compounded the problem.

I have had the level kit and tires for 2 years and have just kinda been living with it.And like I said I like the lift and don't want to go down at all. Was hoping I could throw some shocks on and improve on the ride but when I search for shocks the majority seem to be ride height adjustable which I know shouldn't be used with a level kit.

Honestly I would prefer to remove the level kit and do a full 4" lift on the truck but....

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