2017 Sierra with 5100 Bilsteins and 275/60R20

aaronarf · September 29, 2017

I like the idea of using 5100's to level but the cost advantage of a 1.5" or 2" spacer is appealing. Can you please explain what you mean by, "much more planted and predicable". I can't think of an example when my truck may behave in an unpredictable manner because of its shocks.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_us/pdfs/Bil_LevShks_WebArticle.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwiW56y5ycrWAhUV_mMKHd8zBqQQFghBMAI&usg=AFQjCNGueTFPLWO0l0qAEsoguP8_ZXYzQQ

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Donstar · September 29, 2017

I have read a lot of posts on Bilsteins and their informative advertising brochure. I am hoping to hear some examples of how they are better in everyday driving. It is interesting (for example) to know that Bilsteins offer a longer shock extension than a spacer but under what circumstances does the extra extension prove helpful or is noticeable? Maybe on certain potholes the extra extension might be noticeable(?) I am a fan of height adjustable shocks such as Bilstein but I am not convinced spacers are crap in comparison.

300 Blackout · September 29, 2017

I have the Bilstein 5100s and 275/65R20 Discoverer STT Pros. The Bilsteins are set to the second highest level and the tires are 34.49" in diameter. It rubs a little at full turn but that will easily be fixed. I also replaced the rear shocks with Monroe Reflex monotube shocks (part# 911533). I've had two All Terrain Sierras with Rancho shocks from the factory. I prefer the Bilstein/Monroe combo by a significant margin. With the Rancho shocks, I felt like I was on a pendulum. When I would go over a bump on one side, the truck would sway back and forth. Potholes were also particularly harsh and sharp to go over. With the new shocks, it takes the bump and eats it. No swaying back and forth. No sharp pop of the pothole. This has significantly improved my driving experience. The truck also feels glued to the road (probably more due to the tires than the shocks). I was concerned the steering would be loose but it is not, it's very responsive. Since we're talking about a truck, not a sports car, my opinion about the steering is compared to the truck in stock form.

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aaronarf · September 30, 2017

I have read a lot of posts on Bilsteins and their informative advertising brochure. I am hoping to hear some examples of how they are better in everyday driving. It is interesting (for example) to know that Bilsteins offer a longer shock extension than a spacer but under what circumstances does the extra extension prove helpful or is noticeable? Maybe on certain potholes the extra extension might be noticeable(?) I am a fan of height adjustable shocks such as Bilstein but I am not convinced spacers are crap in comparison.

Think of the stock ranchos as riding in a boat, bilsteins are like riding in a sports car. While they are a HUGE improvement, they still are not $2k coil overs. Best bang for the buck suspension work I've done on any truck and I am no rookie, my last rig was a long travel tacoma...

Spacers are crap.

300 Blackout · September 30, 2017

I like the idea of using 5100's to level but the cost advantage of a 1.5" or 2" spacer is appealing. Can you please explain what you mean by, "much more planted and predicable". I can't think of an example when my truck may behave in an unpredictable manner because of its shockks.

When deciding on the how to level the truck, I considered the cost also. The price difference between the Bilsteins and a spacer kit when installed by a mechanic was about $200 total.

Conservatively, if I get 70k miles before the shocks need to be replaced, I'm looking at anywhere between 7-8 years of use based on my driving habits. $200 for 7-8 years of an improved ride was worth it to me.

If the Bilsteins save me one set of ball joints in those 7-8 years compared to using a spacer kit and having them wear out prematurely (if they do in-fact cause premature wear), then the cost of the lifts are essentially the same.

Regarding a truck behaving unpredictably. I agree a shock or suspension failure certainly could change the handling of the vehicle. If it occurred while stopped, no big deal. If it occurred while driving at speed, then I can see how it might result in the truck behaving unpredictably. Do spacer kits increase wear and tear and increase the chances of a failure? Perhaps. I haven't looked at the data, but it certainly is possible.

Donstar · September 30, 2017

When deciding on the how to level the truck, I considered the cost also. The price difference between the Bilsteins and a spacer kit when installed by a mechanic was about $200 total.

Conservatively, if I get 70k miles before the shocks need to be replaced, I'm looking at anywhere between 7-8 years of use based on my driving habits. $200 for 7-8 years of an improved ride was worth it to me.

If the Bilsteins save me one set of ball joints in those 7-8 years compared to using a spacer kit and having them wear out prematurely (if they do in-fact cause premature wear), then the cost of the lifts are essentially the same.

Regarding a truck behaving unpredictably. I agree a shock or suspension failure certainly could change the handling of the vehicle. If it occurred while stopped, no big deal. If it occurred while driving at speed, then I can see how it might result in the truck behaving unpredictably. Do spacer kits increase wear and tear and increase the chances of a failure? Perhaps. I haven't looked at the data, but it certainly is possible.

I ended up buying a 1.5" MotoFab spacer kit but haven't had them installed yet. The major cost will be in the installation and alignment as I won't be doing the work. You are right that the cost difference isn't huge between Bilstein and spacers when all is taken into account. I have read on this forum that Bilstein at the highest setting gives a noticeably stiffer ride. I guess this is where the sports car analogy above comes into play. If my truck is currently the "boat" part of this comparison, I really like it and a stiffer ride isn't an improvement in my situation. I have stock shocks (not Ranchos) and a bottom 1.5" spacer is reported on this forum to have no negative impact on ride quality. I actually like the idea of leveling with Bilsteins but don't want to compromise the current ride of my truck..

300 Blackout · October 1, 2017

The great thing about the Moto Fab kit is if you like it, great! And if you don't, then you're only out $40 plus installation cost. Hopefully the install won't be too much. Pep-Boys and related companies seemed to have decent prices and they often run specials.

I also read on here that the Bilsteins at their highest setting are noticeably more stiff and that is one reason why I chose the second highest setting. I think the Ranchos were much more stiff than the Bilstein/Monroe combo. The swaying I felt was more like an exaggerated response because the shocks were so stiff.

The best example I can give is that of going over speed bumps in my subdivision. We have the speed bumps that are like mounds and not like shallow curbs. I usually stay as far to the right when going over them which allows my passenger side to mostly avoid the bump. With the Ranchos, this resulted in a stiff rise of the drivers side as I went over the bump. Once I cleared the bump, the drivers side would squat and the passenger side would rise. Then the truck would return to level. I could feel three distinct movements. At first I thought, cool, this truck is built stiff to handle harsh conditions. By the end of my two year lease, I hated it. Michigan has some crappy roads with lots of potholes and uneven surfaces. Every time I drove, I felt like I was exercising my core. Exhausting.

Going over the same bumps in my 2015 Silverado with standard shocks was "meh." No crazy lift-squat-return, but also not so comfortable to write home about. Quite simply, it just felt like a truck going over a bump. You know it's not a car nor is it remarkably stiff like the All Terrain truck, it's just "meh."

Now, with the new Bilstein/Monroe combo going over the same speed bumps in the same way results in the drivers side smoothly rising up and smoothly returning to level driving. There's no squat or return. The rise isn't harsh, and the return to level driving feels like the shock is doing exactly what a shock is supposed to do, making that transition smooth.

It's worth noting that the truck feels more grounded/stable than ever. The ability to absorb the bump doesn't come at the cost of having a light and lofty ride.

I'm sure moving up to a 34"+ tire has also contributed to the smoother ride over potholes but I doubt it had anything to do with fixing the rise-squat-return feeling of the All Terrain. Credit for that goes 100% to the shocks.

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amxguy1970 · October 1, 2017

Yeah the whole night and day ride difference is mostly attributed to the increase in stiffness (which gives that supposed "sports car ride" which is laughable it is a truck and in no way close to how an actual sports car or sedan handles) and those that say nght and day difference are usually just boasting because they want to justify their new purchase. I have been in a few 5100 setups, did not notice a huge night and day difference. As I have said before it rode rougher in some instanes (because it preloads the spring) but better in others in certain situations, it is give and take.

Contrary to belief some would make it seem these are gods gift to no problems leveling but the Bilstein steup doesn't save that much more wear on the front end, it is basically the same as adding a preload spacer with the addition of new shocks and protection from added ball joint wear (which can still occur) but doesn't address the other issues a leveling kit brings and still allows wear to.

Another thing, there have been a few (not very often) issues where the spring perch broke on the 5100, since it is adjustible that brings another level of compromise to the shock that non adjustables don't have.

Below is a great third party review on them (prior to install) as opposed to a Bilstein review previously given.

http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/bilstein-5100-leveling-kit/

As far as cost, they are more expensive up front by a couple hundred (you really should do all 4) compared to a stricly spacer lift and are more expensive to install needing to disassemble the strut compared to a top or bottom spacer. I did a top 1.5and rear 1 on my truck and it ran me $80ish all in and some time. The Bilstein would have been 4 times that and my stock shocks were just fine. Granted if they had tons of miles on them I probably would have gone the Bilstein route at the 3rd setting to save some of the harshness many note in having them at the top setting. Across all brands forums you hear people talking about the stiffer ride, some like it some don't but it is there.

To each their own and what they are looking for, they are better in some instances and not in others. They aren't life changing in terms of what they bring to the table and aren't for everybody. Gather all facts and make the choice that best fits your situation, don't listen to those who are blinded or cherry pick info (I guess they are salesman in some ways).

Spacers are great as they keep the stock ride (as long as it isn't a preload spacer), are much cheaper and if kept with in a reasonable lift and mostly used for street driving (or all street as many do) won't add too much wear and tear to the suspension. They aren't garbage, it is an alternative. If you are regularly overlanding off road neighter a spacer or the 5100 is the way to go honestly, but anything in moderation is mostly fine.

I will probably go this route once I have many more miles on my truck and it needs a new set of shocks, but these stock Rancho's aren't in any way garbage (as noted in my mountain out of a mole hill thread) and have rode well, handled well and takan everything I have done off road (which many with these new and improved shocks they boast about probably haven't put them in this situation to honestly compare) in stride.

Good luck!

Tyler

300 Blackout · October 2, 2017

Just a quick update regarding the tire size. At full lock turning to the left the side biters of my STT Pro 275/65R20 kisses the sway bar a little. It only does this in the driver's side when turning left.

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Ezekiel2517 · October 2, 2017

For those of you with the 5100 level and larger tires, what MPG drop have you noticed?

I can still do 20+ on flat ground at 70. No wind. Add wind and it drops to 17-18. have 33" Nitto TGs.and 5100s on the thirds setting. Left the air dam in place. Soft tonneau but it does nothing for mileaage.

SCSportsman · October 2, 2017

I can still do 20+ on flat ground at 70. No wind. Add wind and it drops to 17-18. have 33" Nitto TGs.and 5100s on the thirds setting. Left the air dam in place. Soft tonneau but it does nothing for mileaage.

Thanks!