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Bilstein 5160s are a wicked upgrade

NorthernAT4

By NorthernAT4
in Modifications, Wheels & Tires

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NorthernAT4 Enthusiast

NorthernAT4

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Just installed the 5160 rear reservoir shocks and they blow the ranchos outta the park. This thing is planted now. On the fresh compact ice and snow roads and gravel the back end used to dance around to the point of slowing down. Now it’s planted and soaks them up. Can’t wait for my UCAs so I can put the 5100s up front. 

EE03DCE2-8328-43DD-8EA3-7F8F7C619FD9.jpeg

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NorthernAT4 Enthusiast

NorthernAT4

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1 hour ago, lapoolboy said:

Nevermind....I see you have an AT4.  Are you going to run the fronts at the highest 1.1" setting?

Yup max setting and a new UCA. should just go with the 6112 but I didn’t think the front needed to much help compared to the back. Should give me about a 1/2” of rake 

NorthernAT4 Enthusiast

NorthernAT4

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42 minutes ago, Chris Callanan said:

What is the benefit of the 5160s over the regular 5100s?

Added oil. Moving the oil reservoir out gains more room for valving and such in the main shock tube. Was going to go with the 5100s but got a good deal on these 

TNAT4 Enthusiast

TNAT4

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23 hours ago, NorthernAT4 said:

Yup max setting and a new UCA. should just go with the 6112 but I didn’t think the front needed to much help compared to the back. Should give me about a 1/2” of rake 

Do you have to replace the UCA on the AT4 with the 5100 at the highest setting?  I have some 5100s ordered but didn’t know I’d have to replace the UCA

NorthernAT4 Enthusiast

NorthernAT4

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8 hours ago, TNAT4 said:

Do you have to replace the UCA on the AT4 with the 5100 at the highest setting?  I have some 5100s ordered but didn’t know I’d have to replace the UCA

I don’t think you would need to with only being 1.1” of list. Most guys are saying they start getting ball joint bind at 2” of lift. I’m probably going to go higher at some point or add a spacer  depending on tire size so I figured I would put a UCA in now

Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
On 11/18/2020 at 9:11 PM, Chris Callanan said:

What is the benefit of the 5160s over the regular 5100s?

a monotube or a twin tube shock is not completely full of oil. It has a head space. Head space allows the oil to froth. Even if it is under N2 pressure. Froth does not meter the same as oil when passing back and forth past the piston and valve shims. The shock fades. 

 

A reservoir shock allows the tube to be filled completely. The reservoir itself has a piston in it that separates the oil from the head space. The head space is under N2 pressure to prevent foaming.  

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NorthernAT4 Enthusiast

NorthernAT4

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On 11/21/2020 at 2:02 PM, AdamAT4 said:

are the front lift struts available yet? 

 

I'll get getting the Ready Lift UCA and hoping to use Bilstiens to get an extra .75 to 1" lift.

Front 5100 struts are available and give 1” of lift. I see also that the 6112 are available now as well  and have an eibach spring but still require assembly 

BossTaco2020 Enthusiast

BossTaco2020

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does anyone know if the Bilstein shocks affect load capacity of the truck? If anything I'd think that 5160's with the extra oil capacity would help dampen the load better, but maybe not increase capacity.

lapoolboy Senior Enthusiast

lapoolboy

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3 hours ago, BossTaco2020 said:

does anyone know if the Bilstein shocks affect load capacity of the truck? If anything I'd think that 5160's with the extra oil capacity would help dampen the load better, but maybe not increase capacity.

Shocks have nothing to do with load capacity.  The weight of the vehicle and its load is carried by the springs.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Baja24 Enthusiast

Baja24

Posted
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On 11/23/2020 at 3:00 AM, NorthernAT4 said:

Front 5100 struts are available and give 1” of lift. I see also that the 6112 are available now as well  and have an eibach spring but still require assembly 

I just installed the 5160's in rear and 6112's in the front today. Amazing! I didn't know they were using Eibach springs. Where did you find that info? That's huge plus if true.

BossTaco2020 Enthusiast

BossTaco2020

Posted
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10 hours ago, Baja24 said:

I just installed the 5160's in rear and 6112's in the front today. Amazing! I didn't know they were using Eibach springs. Where did you find that info? That's huge plus if true.

What ring positions did you use for the 6112's up front? I'm assuming the kit came with new springs? Where did you buy it from? I'm looking to do the same on my 2020 TrailBoss, but retain the stock height and wheels.

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