Bilstein 5100 adj shocks (front and rear)

mtbsam · March 23, 2015

Just saw this. I didnt have an issue at all with not enough thread. There was plenty and some extra.

I'm glad you got it all installed ok!

I probably wasn't clear on the description of what the issue was on mine. It wasn't an issue of stud length. What I believe happened is that they used the torque wrench to do the install of those nuts and there was enough resistance that the wrench clicked indicating the torque (37 ft-lb) was achieved even though the nut wasn't bottomed out. Basically it just made the shock rattle around in there for a few days before I was able to get it back in for them to check it out. They fixed it in a matter of minutes, but it sure was annoying before that!

Since it happened on mine and on one of the shop guys truck, I figured I'd share it here in case it happens to someone else.

mtbsam · March 23, 2015

You could try using vise grips on the strut stem inside of the coils. Also what setting did you put them at? Im really torn between these shocks and the rancho quicklifts right now, only thing stopping me from ordering these is idea of the highest setting being too stiff for my liking.

If I'm not mistaken, those Rancho's will give you even more lift (2.25" vs 1.8) and could likely ride as rough as, if not rougher than, the Bilsteins at any height. If your control arm angles steepen enough, you're bound to feel more transmitted through the suspension to the chassis. Some of that may be compensated by the fact that the valving is adjustable but I believe the initial jolt will be felt more regardless.

5RWill · March 23, 2015

Agreed. The other thing to consider is the fact that the ranchos aren't adjustable in height. So if 2.25 turns out to be too much you might want to invest in a 2" rear block just incase.

fondupot · March 23, 2015

Can you comment on how it handles cracks in the road and little pot holes? I can't stand driving with my stock ranchos anymore because of how it jars on cracks in the road.

I cant just yet. The roads I drove on last night were all fairly new. But Once I get it aligned (tomorrow) and put some more miles on it I will let you know. Prolly next week since I am going on a business trip tuesday night thru friday morning.

One of my rear factory Rancho's did the same thing. This movement was the cause of a clunk I was experiencing. Replaced rears with 4600's and I hope to do the front's down the road.

Are you planing to lift the rear axle also or leave it stock height?

Thanks!

Yep, I was getting a clunking too! I am not planning on lifting the rear at all. At least right now.

I'm glad you got it all installed ok!

I probably wasn't clear on the description of what the issue was on mine. It wasn't an issue of stud length. What I believe happened is that they used the torque wrench to do the install of those nuts and there was enough resistance that the wrench clicked indicating the torque (37 ft-lb) was achieved even though the nut wasn't bottomed out. Basically it just made the shock rattle around in there for a few days before I was able to get it back in for them to check it out. They fixed it in a matter of minutes, but it sure was annoying before that!

Since it happened on mine and on one of the shop guys truck, I figured I'd share it here in case it happens to someone else.

Ooh I gotcha. What I did was tighten the strut hat nut as much as I could before I released the spring compressors. Ended up being about 1/2 way thru the stud length on the bilstens. And I couldnt torque them either, because that spindle would spin without holding it.

5RWill · March 23, 2015

I can comment on ride @ max height. Now having had them a couple of days with stock 275/55/20 Wrangler SR-As @ 35-37PSI. Its definitely more firm on small bumps/cracks that the ranchos handled very well IMHO. Your going to have a better sense of feel over what your driving over in some sense. For the most part it's a non issue less that kind of thing just absolutely bothers you. The thing about the ranchos is...well they're really just street shocks. Great ride on the road and pretty bouncy/uncontrolled off road. This is where your going to see a vast improvement. Larger bumps that would shake the cab on the ranchos, are simply absorbed by the bilsteins, almost feels like you glide over them. Where as i can frequently recall hitting bumps on the ranchos and bouncing, not to mention the bed swaying, and body roll. I might be mistaken but when i turn sharp i don't feel the body roll on the suspension much at all like the ranchos did. With the Ranchos i felt like i was balancing a seesaw when rounding curves.

All in all i love them. Ultimately the truck is going to feel and ride more like a truck, and dampen the bumps when it counts much better. I would like to see what new UCAs added to the equation.

I'll be moving to 17s and 285/70/17 or 295/70/17 eventually, i'm sure despite a 10ply tire it will still feel better than turning and riding a 20" rim.

Edited March 23, 2015 by 5RWill

nadrojcote · March 23, 2015

If I'm not mistaken, those Rancho's will give you even more lift (2.25" vs 1.8) and could likely ride as rough as, if not rougher than, the Bilsteins at any height. If your control arm angles steepen enough, you're bound to feel more transmitted through the suspension to the chassis. Some of that may be compensated by the fact that the valving is adjustable but I believe the initial jolt will be felt more regardless.

My plan is to run a block in the rear and ranchos. I'm still leaning toward the ranchos I think. I had 5100's on my last truck and they were alright but not great. Definitely good for the money. My problem with them was the coating on them wasn't very good and they did rust pretty bad. I decided to go down one notch after a couple years and one of the shocks was so rusted I could not get the top nut off and I had to hack saw the shock off and buy new ones. Also the spring seats had basically rust welded themselves to the shock body.

I'm sure this can happen to the ranchos as well, but I'm more into the fact that you can adjust the dampening over adjusting the height. I'm guessing my stock ranchos are completely shot, because they don't ride good on or off road. 74,000km is a year and a half on them has killed them. Any new shocks are going to feel nice to me.

5RWill · March 23, 2015

Might look at the rancho 7000mt as well. Though i've always heard Bilstein>Rancho. Though the 7000MT is rancho's newer struts.

nadrojcote · March 23, 2015

Might look at the rancho 7000mt as well. Though i've always heard Bilstein>Rancho. Though the 7000MT is rancho's newer struts.

Bilstein is a great company, but their 5100's are entry level and competitive with other brands around the same price. They're no king of fox thats for sure.

Guys on the jeep forum seem to like the quicklifts. Only complaints are from people that ran rancho's in the 80's.

http://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modified-jk-tech-2/your-opinion-rancho-rs9000xl-series-vs-bilstein-5100-series-261220/#b

fondupot · March 23, 2015

My plan is to run a block in the rear and ranchos. I'm still leaning toward the ranchos I think. I had 5100's on my last truck and they were alright but not great. Definitely good for the money. My problem with them was the coating on them wasn't very good and they did rust pretty bad. I decided to go down one notch after a couple years and one of the shocks was so rusted I could not get the top nut off and I had to hack saw the shock off and buy new ones. Also the spring seats had basically rust welded themselves to the shock body.

I'm sure this can happen to the ranchos as well, but I'm more into the fact that you can adjust the dampening over adjusting the height. I'm guessing my stock ranchos are completely shot, because they don't ride good on or off road. 74,000km is a year and a half on them has killed them. Any new shocks are going to feel nice to me.

I wish I had a picture to show you the OEM ranchos. after 16k miles, they were rusted as shit.

nadrojcote · March 23, 2015

I wish I had a picture to show you the OEM ranchos. after 16k miles, they were rusted as shit.

Min are horrible after over 70,000km. But the quicklifts have a liquid metal coating. Stock ranchos are just painted.

This is another person on the jk forum, that has tried both.

I had Bilstein 5100's on my 3.5" AEV kit and was quite dissatisfied with the excessively firm damping. Ride quality was NOT what I expected from the highly regarded AEV suspension.

I have now replaced them with Rancho RS9000XL's and the ride quality is a night-and-day improvement. The Ranchos at their stiffest setting of 8-9 provides the same ride quality as the Bilsteins which is great for high speed desert 2-tracks or body motion control while rockcrawling, but at settings 1-3 (depending on whether the hardtop is on or off) I now have an ultra-cushy ride.

Rancho shocks of the 2010's can't be compared with Rancho shocks of the 1980's. If you haven't given them a try with your own two butt cheeks, then you're really missing out.

On a side note, I have a set of 4 perfectly good (but excessively stiff) Bilsteins for sale. LOL

Edited March 23, 2015 by projectsummit

fondupot · March 23, 2015

Keep in mind jeeps have Solid Axles. They will ride considerably harder than an IFS setup. Not to mention, a jeep is a lot lighter than our trucks, so yea the Bilsteins might ride rougher on the jeep. But 90% of the replies in this thread say the Bilsteins ride really nice. And from my limited experience with them, I would have to agree.

I'm sure either way you wont be too disappointed.

Last C5 · March 23, 2015

Just finished. Second side was easier. But It still had to remove the upper balljoint and sway bar end link to get the new strut in.

Took it for a quick spin, nothing in depth. But I like what it is so far. Feels overall a lot more solid. Handles the bumps better.

I forgot to measure my fenders before I started, but my fronts are now around 38" and the rear is 40". So just about 2" of rake. Which I Like.

That seems right on target. I installed mine on the top slot and added a 1/4" spacer under the fronts and I'm setting at 39" front and 40" in the rear.

5RWill · March 23, 2015

Bilstein is a great company, but their 5100's are entry level and competitive with other brands around the same price. They're no king of fox thats for sure.

Guys on the jeep forum seem to like the quicklifts. Only complaints are from people that ran rancho's in the 80's.

http://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modified-jk-tech-2/your-opinion-rancho-rs9000xl-series-vs-bilstein-5100-series-261220/#b

I never compared them to king or fox nor was implying that. I read and read and read and other than that jeep forum and maybe a couple of people in F150 forums all I found was general census said rancho was inferior to Bilstein. There just isn't much out there on the ranchos. At least for the 2014+ silverado/sierra. I emailed them months ago about the 7000mt never got a reply.

If I was to consider rancho Id be going 7000mt. Something just bugs me about the adjustments on the quicklift.

nadrojcote · March 23, 2015

I'm not saying you were, I'm just saying that when you are paying ~$500 for a full set of shocks it doesn't matter if they're bilstein or rancho, they're going to be about the same quality. My truck has so many km on it that I think the coils and shocks are due for a replacing which is one reason the ranchos appeal to me more, also I have used 5100's in the passed and I know when using them to lift it does stiffen the ride quite a bit. I am very picky when it comes to a stiff ride so I will be sure to voice my opinion when/if I get the ranchos.

5RWill · March 23, 2015

Be sure to do so. Get the 7000mt I just want to see how high they lift it.

No I agree it's not going to be that big of a difference. Just simply stating what I had read.

As to my comment about fox or king I was just conveying that I wasn't touting Bilstein as the end all be all. I and many others simply have heard more positives about them than rancho. They're obviously not comparable to a fox, king, icon, coil over.

I would like to try dirt logic coil overs or a 4" fabtech lift way down the road. It's about 2000-3000 for a 2" fabtech lift with coilovers or a 4".

Edited March 23, 2015 by 5RWill