Bilstein 5100s are a HUGE upgrade!

daltonc2425 · December 28, 2022

@Diamond817 This would be correct if I did not have the Rough Country Air Spring kit.

From my calculations, the air bags added an additional 1". So, my 1" rear block and my airbags filled to 20psi created a 2" lift in the rear. I did not anticipate the bags actually raising the rear of the truck.

Another calculation I did not anticipate is that the 2" setting on the Bilstein settled to 1.5" after about 2 weeks.

AJMBLAZER · December 28, 2022

Let the air out of the bags?

If you aren’t hauling anything they shouldn’t have any pressure in them. Especially not enough to lift the back end up.

daltonc2425 · December 28, 2022

@AJMBLAZER I stay loaded down with about 300lbs of tools and equipment at all times, so I keep them at 18psi. Even with the bags down to 5psi it’s an additional .75” on top of the 1” block.

AJMBLAZER · December 28, 2022

Huh. Ok. Just seems like a lot of lifting for no reason. 300-lbs isn’t much even for a half ton.

asilverblazer · December 28, 2022

2 hours ago, AJMBLAZER said:

Let the air out of the bags?

If you aren’t hauling anything they shouldn’t have any pressure in them. Especially not enough to lift the back end up.

The ones on my truck require a minimum PSI at all times... 5ish if memory serves. I didn't measure to see if that much raised mine any.

AJMBLAZER · December 28, 2022

Ah gotcha.

Diamond817 · December 29, 2022

Ok, so I had the Bilstein 5100's installed yesterday. I had the front set to #4 for a 1.5" front lift, and I added a 1" Motofab lift block to the rear with the 5100's for a 0-1" lift. I got exactly 1.5" added to the front height and 1" added to the rear height, 37.5" to 39" in front, 39" to 40" in rear. Now I only have a 1" rake instead of a 1.5" rake, which I wanted to keep some rake for towing.

Driving Impressions:

My truck has the Stock RST suspension, not a Z71, so I have the standard GM struts/shocks. First thing I noticed is how much tighter and firm feeling the suspension is, and I'm sure some of it has to do with the fact my truck has 40,000mls on the OE shocks. The Bilsteins definitely have better damping and rebound characteristics going down the road, and the rear end isn't skipping around anymore. But the biggest improvement I've noticed is the highway driving. The truck handles way better at speed, and coming on and off the exit/entrance ramps. Body roll and nose dive is almost non-existent going into a turn at 60 and braking. So far, I think they were worth the money.

Truck:

2021 Silverado 1500 RST

Crew Cab, Short Bed

5.3lt, 8spd

4x4

22" Factory Wheels w/ Hankook Dynapro AT2 Extreme 305/45R22

3/8" spacers up front

1 (one) - 1/2" spacer rear (driver side)

Parts Used:

Bilstein part #'s

24-293297 (fronts)

24-293471 (rears)

Motofab part #

CH-1R-19

Cost of parts, tax, and shipping was $510. Cost of installation of 4 shocks/struts, rear lift block, alignment, and tax came out to $725. Total cost $1,235.

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Edited December 29, 2022 by Diamond817

Diamond817 · December 30, 2022

I'm curious how hard it would be to change the height on the struts once they are installed? Would you have to remove them again, or could it be done with them in place?

mdrum93 · December 30, 2022

1 hour ago, Diamond817 said:

I'm curious how hard it would be to change the height on the struts once they are installed? Would you have to remove them again, or could it be done with them in place?

Not encouraging this but I've thought about it too. In theory, If you put coil compressors on with the truck on the ground then lift up by the frame to let the suspension droop you would be able to change the c-clip position. I would use extreme caution trying it though. If the coil compressor let go while you are messing with the c-clip that could cause some serious injury and possible damage to the strut or other parts. Plus you would never be able to get the coil recompressed without disassembling everything.

Russ757 · January 1, 2023

On 2/28/2022 at 5:45 PM, Mike Borowski said:

If anyone is curious this is what an RST looks like with 5100’s set to 1”. The rear is about 24” from center cap to fender and front about 23.25”.

Really happy with the 5100’s. Ride quality is much more stable, handling is tighter, no nose dive when braking, it looks better and I’m ready for bigger tires and new wheels soon.

Thanks. Getting my cat back installed and next mod will be the shocks. RST on 20s and don't need anymore lift.

Thinking about just grabbing the backs for now. Watched the install videos and doesn't seem too complicated.

I don't haul much and if I do, it's a short trip so trying to keep it as level as I can.

Russ757 · January 1, 2023

On 12/29/2022 at 2:44 PM, Diamond817 said:

Ok, so I had the Bilstein 5100's installed yesterday. I had the front set to #4 for a 1.5" front lift, and I added a 1" Motofab lift block to the rear with the 5100's for a 0-1" lift. I got exactly 1.5" added to the front height and 1" added to the rear height, 37.5" to 39" in front, 39" to 40" in rear. Now I only have a 1" rake instead of a 1.5" rake, which I wanted to keep some rake for towing.

Driving Impressions:

My truck has the Stock RST suspension, not a Z71, so I have the standard GM struts/shocks. First thing I noticed is how much tighter and firm feeling the suspension is, and I'm sure some of it has to do with the fact my truck has 40,000mls on the OE shocks. The Bilsteins definitely have better damping and rebound characteristics going down the road, and the rear end isn't skipping around anymore. But the biggest improvement I've noticed is the highway driving. The truck handles way better at speed, and coming on and off the exit/entrance ramps. Body roll and nose dive is almost non-existent going into a turn at 60 and braking. So far, I think they were worth the money.

Truck:

2021 Silverado 1500 RST

Crew Cab, Short Bed

5.3lt, 8spd

4x4

22" Factory Wheels w/ Hankook Dynapro AT2 Extreme 305/45R22

3/8" spacers up front

1 (one) - 1/2" spacer rear (driver side)

Parts Used:

Bilstein part #'s

24-293297 (fronts)

24-293471 (rears)

Motofab part #

CH-1R-19

Cost of parts, tax, and shipping was $510. Cost of installation of 4 shocks/struts, rear lift block, alignment, and tax came out to $725. Total cost $1,235.

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Screen shotted ty!

As mentioned above, will probably set thr front to 3 for a 1" and then add a 1" block for the back. Based off your input should be between .5-1" of rake which is about all I'd need.

Do you know if there is a lift block installed on the stock RST rear suspension?

Lastly.. Where did you grab you setup as it seems about $100 less than I'm finding

Edited January 1, 2023 by Russ757

Diamond817 · January 1, 2023

9 hours ago, Russ757 said:

Screen shotted ty!

As mentioned above, will probably set thr front to 3 for a 1" and then add a 1" block for the back. Based off your input should be between .5-1" of rake which is about all I'd need.

Do you know if there is a lift block installed on the stock RST rear suspension?

Lastly.. Where did you grab you setup as it seems about $100 less than I'm finding

If you lift the front and rear both 1" you will still have the 1.5" stock rake.

There is no lift block on the stock suspension.

I bought the Bisteins on Amazon, search by part #. The rear was $96.99 each, and the front were $136.99 each, but it looks like they went up to $138.99 each. I also got a $53 rebate from the seller on Amazon because the package came damaged and one of the struts were literally sticking out of the box.

I bought the Motofab kit from mrwheeldeal for $62. MotoFab CH-1R-19-MF 1" Rear Leveling Kit (19-22 Chevrolet Silverado | GMC Sierra 1500) | Mr. Wheel Deal (mrwheeldeal.com)

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Edited January 1, 2023 by Diamond817

Ronjon · January 29, 2023

Can anyone confirm if the TB versions would raise a non TB z71 3.1"? Also has anyone used a preload spacer to net any additional lift?

Front AT4/Trail Boss - B8 5100 Series 0-1.1″ Ride Height Adj Front (24-309509)

Edited January 29, 2023 by Ronjon

AJMBLAZER · January 29, 2023

That’s what I did. I put TB spec 5100’s on my Z71 at the stock TB ride height.

You could do spacers but you could also use the 5100’s built in leveling settings for more height. CV angles and boot life get iffy as you push higher though.

Ronjon · January 29, 2023

17 minutes ago, AJMBLAZER said:

That’s what I did. I put TB spec 5100’s on my Z71 at the stock TB ride height.

You could do spacers but you could also use the 5100’s built in leveling settings for more height. CV angles and boot life get iffy as you push higher though.

But you're saying there was more height to be had from them? Compared to the non TB version 5100? I've got the 3.0 Duramax and need 4" of lift to sit at 3.5" due to engine weight. I'm pretty good at replacing CV's after owning an H3...