Jump to content

Leveling with Bilstein 5100

agraves138
 Share

Recommended Posts

makosenna Enthusiast

makosenna

Posted
Posted

Just ordered a set of 5100's from 4 Wheel Parts @ $375.00 total to my door. I may set it at 2 .075 or 3 1.26.

NCM_1801.JPG

  • Replies 60
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

crushNchowda
crushNchowda

FWIW I have Bilstein 5100's all 4 corners top setting in front w/ 33" 275/60R20 Nitto Terra Grapplers + 2.25" (+1") rear blocks. My total before/after ride height for the front was a hair over 2.5"...

2016LTCC
2016LTCC

I like this look. Would you say the ride is better unloaded around rough town/city driving? Also, have you noticed any difference in wear on your front tires?

Kubs
Kubs

I also installed Firestone Ride Rite air bags to keep the truck level when towing.  Its rides great loaded or unloaded.   IMG_20180601_140227534_HDR[1] by Mike Kubiak, on Flickr

Posted Images

Ozer Enthusiast

Ozer

Posted
Posted

^ Why even get those for lifting then, you may not even notice 3/4 inch lift. Set it to 4 and you will still have some rake. Unless you tow often.

 

And guys, remember to aim your headlights down when you level. An overlooked last step :)

  • Thanks 1
MN1(SW) Enthusiast

MN1(SW)

Posted
Posted

Mine are either on the 3rd or 4th highest notches.  I can't remember, It's been a couple of years since I did it and my truck's been in storage since shortly after.

20160220_141628-min.jpg

  • 1 month later...
sammiller86 Enthusiast

sammiller86

Posted
Posted
On 8/23/2018 at 12:35 PM, Kubs said:

I also installed Firestone Ride Rite air bags to keep the truck level when towing.  Its rides great loaded or unloaded.

 

41693217835_85569b6c78_k.jpgIMG_20180601_140227534_HDR[1] by Mike Kubiak, on Flickr

When did you install the airbags? I just installed the 5100's on the 3rd setting because tow frequently at times (depends on the time of year). I knew going j. I was going to have to do something to the rear end for towing. I have been debating airbags or just throwing an Add a leaf on instead. I live in NY ask the winters can be harsh sometimes and I'm just worried about airbags having problems in the snow/cold etc. 

 

Kubs Enthusiast

Kubs

Posted
Posted
On 10/10/2018 at 8:05 PM, sammiller86 said:

When did you install the airbags? I just installed the 5100's on the 3rd setting because tow frequently at times (depends on the time of year). I knew going j. I was going to have to do something to the rear end for towing. I have been debating airbags or just throwing an Add a leaf on instead. I live in NY ask the winters can be harsh sometimes and I'm just worried about airbags having problems in the snow/cold etc. 

 

I just bought the truck in April and installed the bags in May.  I have not driven through snow with them yet.  If you tow frequently though it is a good investment.  Firestone makes good quality rubber air bags.  I doubt it will be an issue in winter up here.

pronstar Enthusiast

pronstar

Posted
Posted

Just about very modern large truck, and many trailers, runs airbags.

I wouldn’t worry about winter weather, they’ve been proven to work in all weather conditions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

sammiller86 Enthusiast

sammiller86

Posted
Posted

Where do you guys mount the schrader valves? I'm going to stick with the manual inflation until I can save up some money for the onboard compressor in the spring probably. I was thinking of mounting them in the gas cap to keep them away from dirt/snow people's feet etc so they are protected? Is there enough room in there for both valves?

Kubs Enthusiast

Kubs

Posted
Posted
22 minutes ago, sammiller86 said:

Where do you guys mount the schrader valves? I'm going to stick with the manual inflation until I can save up some money for the onboard compressor in the spring probably. I was thinking of mounting them in the gas cap to keep them away from dirt/snow people's feet etc so they are protected? Is there enough room in there for both valves?

I use my valves to hold the license plate on.

 

42063005032_c120c5ee8b_k.jpgIMG_20180511_180815496 by Mike Kubiak, on Flickr

  • 1 month later...
makosenna Enthusiast

makosenna

Posted
Posted

5100's working well so far... good ride no rub and no big drop in mpg's.

Added bed cover a few weeks back to keep cargo dry.

untitled.png

goeb34 Enthusiast

goeb34

Posted
Posted
5100's working well so far... good ride no rub and no big drop in mpg's.
Added bed cover a few weeks back to keep cargo dry.
untitled.thumb.png.dea3ee886fcd3b8982eb7fa3b50b8bda.png

Which notch is this set on
crushNchowda Senior Enthusiast

crushNchowda

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 8/23/2018 at 7:39 AM, Paul_Aris said:

I tow so has anyone gone on the tallest notch on the front and 1 up from stock on the rear? Wonder what that would be like height wise and when towing? Or it appears the rears ones may not be adjustable. 

 

FWIW I have Bilstein 5100's all 4 corners top setting in front w/ 33" 275/60R20 Nitto Terra Grapplers + 2.25" (+1") rear blocks. My total before/after ride height for the front was a hair over 2.5"....so either the bilsteins @ top setting are really more like 2" or the tires are a little taller or combo of both. I run 44 psi front 42 rear.

 

I had 2200 lbs of rocks in the bed w/ this setup & it did not appear nose high, it still looked level - that isn't apples to apples to towing a trailer, but I think if you're not maxing it out you'll still have a level ride height may even maintain some rake depending on tongue weight.

 

Here are some pics w/ this setup (no weight in the bed though) - its tough to really see the amount of clearance added w/ the thick stock running boards, but its significant & really is the perfect stance for this generation of GM 1/2 tons IMO. I removed the front chin spoiler/air dam/diffuser (whatever you wanna call it) & that really added to the "lifted" look of the trucks stance, also improved overall clearance, I noticed MAYBE 1/2 mpg difference on the highway, although that could also be attributed to the height increase in general. 

 

Actually, I think running 275/65R20's would be the PERFECT look/height, except you can't get a non-LT 8+ply AT tire in that size & I didn't like the drop in acceleration/braking/MPG performance w/ the heavier LT tires so decided to stick w/ the 275/60R20 Nittos.

 

Lastly - 2 pieces of advice, #1 if you get these shocks I'd hit em up w/ some spray can clear coat before installing so they stay nice looking, they have stainless steel body but is 400 series & will oxidize in salty road conditions. #2 - if I were to do it all over again I would look into Eibach's setup as well - they are American made quality shocks & they offer a similar adjustable gas charged shock but also offer it w/ matching front springs (for a lil more $$$). I am satisfied w/ the Bilsteins though & will probably replace them w/ the same model once they're worn out - I have over 50k miles on them so far though & still ride like they did when new.

 

nitto2.png

nittos11.png

Edited by crushNchowda
  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
makosenna Enthusiast

makosenna

Posted
Posted
On ‎11‎/‎24‎/‎2018 at 1:32 AM, goeb34 said:
On ‎11‎/‎24‎/‎2018 at 1:32 AM, goeb34 said:

Top setting.
Which notch is this set on


Which notch is this set on

 

  • 1 month later...
goeb34 Enthusiast

goeb34

Posted
Posted

Where is everybody getting their bilsteins from? Puttin the tax money to good use of em and some trail graps

2kwik4u Enthusiast

2kwik4u

Posted
Posted

Does anyone have the 5100 shocks and have them set on the "stock" setting? I have no desire to level or raise the truck at all. I have a strong desire to dump the POS Rancho shocks that are entirely too stiff for this vehicle.

Grjfer Enthusiast

Grjfer

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, 2kwik4u said:

Does anyone have the 5100 shocks and have them set on the "stock" setting? I have no desire to level or raise the truck at all. I have a strong desire to dump the POS Rancho shocks that are entirely too stiff for this vehicle.

If you are just looking to replace the stock shocks I'd suggest the Bilstein 4600's. Per Bilstein they have the same valving minus any lift capability. 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Somethingclever_2014GM
      A/C failure cause???

      By Somethingclever_2014GM · Posted

      Glad it worked for you. I tried that 1st, about 2 years ago. Didn't help. I also tried doing a hard reset (disconnecting battery for minimum of 30 minutes). Worked a couple times, but after one summer of doing it over and over, that no longer worked.  I was fairly confident it was either the compressor or a failed actuator, but I just couldn't identify which one. Had to research which actuators do what and which last numbers are associated with each.
    • Jsdirt
      Gas Prices

      By Jsdirt · Posted

      Took me FIFTEEN MINUTES to find this. Isn't that a problem? On the mainstream media I can INSTANTLY find 100 articles bashing President Trump ... but when it comes to TRUTH in American corporate news & search engines, it's carefully filtered to support ONE SIDE. A Republic cannot survive like this! Incredible! Even all the AI searchers out there failed as well! ChatGPT said it needed more details on the video that I provided a DIRECT LINK to! I thought AI was the be-all, end-all?? I had to dig it up myself. This should be FRONT PAGE NEWS!!! 🤬   Here's the statement directly from our President:     Glenn Beck's reporting on the operation:   https://glennbeck.com/watch/videos/trump-just-revealed-a-massive-military-secret-that-lowered-gas-prices   In case that link doesn't work, here's the YouTube link:     And another 15 minutes to find this clip out of Glenn Beck's video - the first few seconds is all the corporate media will allow the public to see, since the low IQ people will think Trump said " I love inflation ", and that was the end of it. Taken WAY out of context! Here's that part, plus the 2nd part about the oil smuggling operation:  
    • KARNUT
      Another 6.2L engine failure!

      By KARNUT · Posted

      More is cylinder deactivation. Kia-Hyundai Ive had 4. The warranty is the same 10 years 100K miles. My grandson drives the first one 05 Elantra GT. My wife drives the second one 2011 Genesis. The Genesis still performs as new and looks great. The Elantra looks rough. He’s not kind to it. The third was a Genesis coup. The fourth was a Santa Fe. Those were my daily drivers. I don’t keep them long. Kia is the same as Hyundai with the same warranty. I looked at the K-4 today. Too small, otherwise pretty good buy. Most of Hyundai and Kia’s have a performance upgrade. 
    • Grumpy Bear
      Another 6.2L engine failure!

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Thanks for the point of reference 
    • Grumpy Bear
      Oil Consumption

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Great question. Answer....depends. One the volume of the crankcase, the driver that will actually be using the vehicle and the amount it uses plus the distance expected for that next trip. Couple of for instances:   Wife is going to drive Dizzy to Moline and back plus a bit around town so say 500 miles on the day. I know from years with that SUV that around town and local rural it uses about a quart in 1250 miles. But on the Interstate and her at the wheel without her anchor nagging her she'll push it and it will drop a quart in about 800 miles. Hence, around town I wait to somewhere between a quarter down to a quart down. On her trip I'd top it if it was down a few ounces and hope for the best.    Have I overfilled one? You mean by adding before it needs a full quart I assume. No, not once after finding the true fill mark.  I know the dipsticks of everything I drive and add what it needs. I learn this by doing the first oil change a quart low. Run the motor for a few minutes. Let it sit over night. Check and mark. Then add half a cup at a time making note of the place on the stick. I add through the dipstick tube with a barbeque basting bottle. Give it a few minutes to drain down and check again.    A vehicle like Dizzy that uses this much oil will take a few quarts between 3K changes. I keep one in the vehicle with the bottle and a bag. (Mindful of it's fullness) Not a big deal and never makes a mess of it. There is no such thing as "multiple quarts' in my shop for any specific oil. There will be a maximum however of the number of different oils used over the fleet.     Dizzy holds a nominal 5 quarts. So the first fill was indeed over as it actually took 4.75. My vehicles are fit with Valvomax valves so I can meter an ounce on the drain if need be. Found her mark first crack at it. Never to be repeated.    Pepper uses none between changes so I don't keep a quart in that one. Straight up 6 quarts put her dead on the full line. Check it ever fuel stop. They will surprise you when they start using.    Raven holds 3 liters or 5.44 ounces over three quarts. I add 3 quarts and 6 ounces. That gives me 5 oil changes on my orphan quart.    Lawnmower holds about 3/5 of a quart. I don't over fill it to prevent an orphan. So yea, depends. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...