Bilstein 5100s are a HUGE upgrade!

[AJMBLAZER]

You don’t really have to do a lot of spring compression. Pop the tie rod end and the upper BJ off and there’s enough droop to get the coil over out easily. 
 

I put my clamps on after it was off the truck just to contain the spring when I took the top plate off. 

[Gangly]

On 5/22/2022 at 11:50 PM, Chris Callanan said:

Ok, so I slapped these puppies in on Friday, and I can concur - while normal driving doesn't seem to be affected, any bump has a noticeable change.  Speed bumps, where the back end would bounce 3 or 4 times, now does 1 bounce and done. So much nicer

 

Now I need to do the fronts - might pay somebody to do those so I don't have to mess with spring compression....

A harbor freight spring compressor is all you need and you can do it on a work bench. 

 

Regarding the entire install:

If you have the right tools, the job is easy-peasy and can be done relatively quickly.  Once the front end is lifted, it shouldn't take more than an hour per side if you are mechanically inclined at all and have power tools.  The disassembly and reassembly of the strut is what takes the most time, and that takes 15 minutes per strut if your using a harbor freight compressor tool.  If you don't feel comfortable doing that part yourself, you can take the strut to a suspension shop and they can install the new shock into the strut assembly for you, for a minor fee.  Regardless, installation is only 8 or 9 bolts per side if I remember correctly, not a whole lot at all really.  Best of luck to you, and if you need help feel free to ask away.

[silveradosid]

i just installed them on the front set at 1.5 inches and still got 2 inches of lift , is there a difference if you have the i-4 turbo or will the shocks settle down

[Mike Borowski]

2 minutes ago, silveradosid said:

i just installed them on the front set at 1.5 inches and still got 2 inches of lift , is there a difference if you have the i-4 turbo or will the shocks settle down

The front end is lighter not sure if it makes a difference. I noticed they settled down a bit. I love them. Wait a few weeks to get an alignment. I got one immediately and it got off the more initial miles I put in it. 

[silveradosid]

thx mike, i hope they settle down a bit, i wanted to have some rake still and i am level. its a lot of work taking them out

[OctavianCDA]

On my 2021 3.0 Duramax RST 6.6 bed I have them set up at 2" setting in the front and I have a 1.5" block kit on the back...and after 20.000km ......I have a bit less than 1" rake.

 

[silveradosid]

when i bought the truck there was a 2 inch levelling spacer on the bottom, gm shocks suck and i put bilsteins on my 2014 and they worked great. so i decided my new truck should get them to. all 4 wheel wells were at 39.25 inches, now with the new shocks set at 1.5 i am 39.5 on the front and 39.25 on the back. did putting in rear blocks give you any drive line vibrations

[Samm]

Hello my silverado lovers. I have a 2019 silverado LT with a 4 inch lift kit. On 22 inch rims and with 33inch tires. I just order my bilstein 5100 for the front and 5160 for the rear. I'm excited... getting them installed friday.

[mdrum93]

On 6/6/2021 at 3:44 PM, ColoradoCub said:

6112’s and 5160’s are an even better upgrade. Totally transformed the worn out old Oldsmobile feeling the truck had. Now it’s planted and controlled, plus the ass end doesnt dance around anymore on broken pavement or railroad track!

Are you still happy with this setup? Think I going to pull the trigger on the 6112s and 5160s as well, hoping the extra coin above the 5100s is justified.  I've had several sets of 5100s on my jeep in the past and wanted to explore the next step up. 

 

[Janko Sakuzov]

Just did a full suspension install. 

5100 on the front set to 2" 

1" Motofab spacers under the 5100s for total 3" front lift.

Motofab UCAs 

5160 in the back with Motofab extensions

Motofab 2" blocks on the back

Firestone Rite Ride airbags were already installed on there. Might need spacers for them 

2" Bora wheel spacers all around for a little wider track.

As it sits right now there's about 3/8" -1/2" rake still but I'm ok with it. I could still raise the 5100 one more notch to bring them up another 1/2" to make it 100% level, or take out the front motofab spacers and raise the 5100 the other 1/2" to be back where I'm at right now. Probably won't touch them though.

Ride is spot on now, but the real test comes in a couple of weeks when we take the 30' camper out. Main reason for all the work was to hopefully smooth out the front bouncing on the concrete highways around here when we tow. I have the weight distribution hitch spot on to spread the load 50%-50% . The Airbags in the back helped a TON with that, but the front was a complete ****** show. On some stretches it's so bad we stopped camping on the west side of the state to avoid those highways. 

 

Edited August 5, 2022 by Janko Sakuzov

[Amcguy1970]

One thing I do not get is the comments on how "smooth" these shocks ride, that isn't at all what they do or are known for. They actually do the opposite on rough broken pavement with any kind of added lift from the shock. I have these, they are an improvement, especially on the large bumps, but they actually ride a little rougher on the small stuff. Just want to make sure people who read some of the rose colored glasses reviews what they are really in for. Steer clear of reviews that mention night and day, huge difference or boast how smooth the ride is. The larger you lift you add with them the stiffer they get as they pre-load the spring to attain lift. 

 

Overall they are a fantastic upgrade if that is what you are wanting (to control the large bump pogo effect and side to movements) but if smooth ride over broken pavement is it, then that is not the case. Now if you go large with the tires and stay in a P rated size and someone goes from a 20" to an 18" wheel and they boast smooth ride, then that will be attributed to the tires, not the shocks and lift combo. 

 

Again, very happy with mine (though the stock ranchos weren't bad by any means) but some of the reviews on these are just far out, same goes with some tires...

 

I will also be looking at the eibach's next time as I have heard some good things about those. 

 

Tyler

[Imcrazy]

Just had mine installed last week. 
 

Set the fronts on #4, 1.5” lift, and didn’t add anything to the back. Will probably leave the back ride height stock. 
 

Truck rides much better for my tastes and the move level attitude is a better vantage point over the hood and overall appearance too IMO. It is a firmer ride no doubt about it but, I’ve always preferred that in my vehicles. Bumps that used to rebound 3-4 times rebound once and it’s over, the truck has less wheel hop when quickly accelerating out of corners and it feels much more planted on the highway. Going back for an alignment next week. Paid the local small shop $525 to install all 4 5100s including reusing the springs and hardware up front. 
 

Truck is a 2020 RST Z71 with 43k miles on the ODO, tires are Firestone Deatination AT2 P275/65/18. May go with a more aggressive or little taller tire next time I need some. Will prob stick with 18” rims though.  
 

Fuel economy is unchanged from the mild level up front. 

Edited August 14, 2022 by Imcrazy

[Carlos ONeil]

Just adding my impressions here for good measure.  I have a 2020 LTZ and I noticed the stock suspension jumped and jostled all over every little bump in the road.  I upgraded to the Bilstein 5100's and upon the first drive it was literally a night and day compared to stock.  I think this should be the first mod that any T1 owner should do before anything else.  Plus you have the added benefit of selectable height adjustment on the front end as well. 

[RedLT]

On 8/10/2022 at 5:26 PM, Amcguy1970 said:

One thing I do not get is the comments on how "smooth" these shocks ride, that isn't at all what they do or are known for. They actually do the opposite on rough broken pavement with any kind of added lift from the shock. I have these, they are an improvement, especially on the large bumps, but they actually ride a little rougher on the small stuff. Just want to make sure people who read some of the rose colored glasses reviews what they are really in for. Steer clear of reviews that mention night and day, huge difference or boast how smooth the ride is. The larger you lift you add with them the stiffer they get as they pre-load the spring to attain lift. 

 

Overall they are a fantastic upgrade if that is what you are wanting (to control the large bump pogo effect and side to movements) but if smooth ride over broken pavement is it, then that is not the case. Now if you go large with the tires and stay in a P rated size and someone goes from a 20" to an 18" wheel and they boast smooth ride, then that will be attributed to the tires, not the shocks and lift combo. 

 

Again, very happy with mine (though the stock ranchos weren't bad by any means) but some of the reviews on these are just far out, same goes with some tires...

 

I will also be looking at the eibach's next time as I have heard some good things about those. 

 

Tyler

 

Your input is beneficial to a lot including myself that aren't savvy on suspension and that is true, all I read/hear about are how night n' day they are and so smooth... I guess the real definition of smooth is dependent on the driver and preference. I've rode in the 2021 LT and the 2021 RST Z71 and I think the Z71 suspension felt better/smoother than the LT, not exactly what the shocks/suspension difference is other than the Z71 has the off-rood package.

 

[Dejadoo]

For those of you with 4x4 and the LM2 I'm trying to confirm the 1.5" setting on the front will actually result in 1.5".

 

 

Thanks!