Switching to Bilsteins

[RyanbabZ71]

Ok guys Give me Pros and Cons

?.99 each at offroadwarehouse.com

Anyone care to buy some slightly used tennecos?

 

[BIG BLUE]

Ryanbab,

That's not a bad price.  I paid about ? locally for mine.  Put a set on my 97 Suburban and have been very happy.  You probably already know this but their is the "sport shock" and the "heavy duty" shock.  I chose the HD shock it's the 52mm one not the 46mm.  Is great on the highway, around town, cornering, no more nose-diving at stops and most body roll is gone (still hard to control on a 3 ton truck!), and handles a 5000lb trailer well.  May want to check the Bilstein web page for differences in the sport vs HD.

Good Luck,

BIG BLUE

P.S.  Installed them myself, took about 2 hrs total.  If you use a floor jack and take the mud gaurd off the inside wheel well on the front it makes it a whole lot easier ;)

[RyanbabZ71]

sorry didnt mention but they are the HD shocks

52 mm?  what does that mean (sorry i am learning)

[RyanbabZ71]

i got an email back from offroadwarehouse.com heres what he said

The shocks you have now, and the HD Bilsteins we offer, are both 46m shafts.  The main difference is that the shocks you have are a "comfort" valving (very soft), and the new ones are valved firmer, to give your truck the best possible ride yet still have excellent handing.

[MDFDTahoe]

the difference between the sport and heavy duty Bilsteins struts are that the Sports are actually more firm and supposedly give a better handling performance. The Bilsteins HDs are actualy softer and yield a "cushier" ride.

Now with that said, Bilsteins may not have both HDs and Sports available for the same vehicle.n  I'd be surprised to hear that Bilstein makes a Sports version for trucks.  Can anyone verify or deny?

[BIG BLUE]

Ryanbab,

Hmmm, I guess I'm confused.  When I was looking into buying the Bilsteins, their web page showed a "sport shock" and a "heavy duty" shock.  From what I understand, the sport shock is a firmer ride and should have the 46mm shaft, where the HD shock is more of a comfort ride and has the 52mm shaft.  Unless something has changed, the first 2 numbers in the part # for the Bilstein shocks designates either 52 or 46.  For instance; the part # 5-2904 and 5-2905 are the front and rear shocks.

So, what the guy is telling you is contradictory if you ask me.   He is saying that the HD shocks are 46mm and I don't think that is correct.  The best thing to do is contact Bilstein and tell them exactly what you want then order it from one of the discount places.  This way Bilsteing can give you the most accurate answer.  Also, it depends on what type of ride you want, maybe you want the "sport" setting, but for me the HD shock was best all around and still has the stiffness that I like in a shock.

Good Luck,

BIG BLUE

[Shaners]

My friends dad put the Bilsteins on his Z71 and loves them...  I don't know which part number he put on though...

I used to have a '97 F*rd LD F250 and put the Edelbrock IAS shocks on it and couldn't believe the difference...  I believe Monroe has a shock very similar too...

[RyanbabZ71]

The part numbers are

BE-2904

BE-2905

Im gonna give them a call (bilstein)

Thanks

Ryan

[Stepside Z]

Ryan,

Those are the part numbers for Bilstein HDs. I put them on my 99 ext cab Z71 and I was very happy with them. I am planning on putting them on my 01 reg cab. They really firmed up the ride and worked great during high cross winds. I think they were the 52mm.

[RyanbabZ71]

do you think ? is worth it?

 

[Shaners]

I paid something like ? for the Edelbrock shocks when they first came out and thought it was well worth it...

[76BBSub]

Whether or not it's worth it probably depends alot on what your current shocks are like.  I paid ? each for some Monroe Reflex SUV shocks for my old Suburban, a bit high I thought at first, but nothing but the best for my beast.

I noticed a HUGE difference over the old standard gas shocks that were on there.  Control was much better, ride was better, etc.

Also, I believe that all Bilstiens are lifetime warranty, so these could be the last shocks you have to buy for your truck.

FYI, Bilstiens are GMs top-end shocks and come on Z-71s and high-end sport suspensions, including Corvettes.

Jeff

[Smitty00Z71]

I don't think it's worth the money. Ryan you have a new truck and don't need new shocks. Plus remember, all Z71's already come with Bilstien's that should last for atleast 50k -75k, you probably wouldn't notice a difference by changing them.  I could think of better things to spend that money on, my $.02

[RyanbabZ71]

"all Z71's already come with Bilstien's "

No they dont.  The pre 99's did but not anymore they are tennecos (monroe)

 

[Smitty00Z71]

The newer Z71's do, including yours