Bilstein shocks thread

CoachGardnerFHS · November 10, 2018

On November 4, 2018 at 11:20 PM, Yondu said:

I've read so many posts about the 5100s my head is spinning. 80% love them, 20% say they ride terribly. Seems like there would be some in between. Perhaps some Install error? Maybe bolts need to be torqued when the truck is on its own weight?

Everytime I'm ready to buy them I find someone new who says they're terrible.

I just bought the 5100s, but somehow didn't see any negative posts about them until after I installed them. I would say, bottom line they are a great performance shock, and a poor/fair comfort shock. I could notice every crack in the road with my Ranchos and wanted something where I wouldn't feel those imperfections. I didn't get that with the Bilstein. I still feel everything, but handling and cornering are much more solid and confident. To me it rides like one of those lowered import ricers. It rebounds quickly to get you back on track and keep you planted. So while bouncing after bumps doesn't last long, it does happen very abruptly. In a straight line on pavement, the Ranchos were better and the GM 4x4 (non Z-71) shocks probably even better than those. But for cornering and off road, the Bilsteins would outperform the others by far.

NormV · November 10, 2018

I've only used the Bilstein 5100's on a Tacoma but that was with a OME spring that gave the 2.5 lift with the bilstein set at zero, loved the ride but I noticed that the only company that offers a set up with the spring lifting the truck is the Eibach with that set at zero,Id run the Bilsteins again if someone made a spring for them thats lifting the truck.With the Bilstein set at zero u get the most out of the shock and the ride is hard to beat.

Edited November 10, 2018 by NormV

Yondu · November 10, 2018

3 hours ago, CoachGardnerFHS said:

I just bought the 5100s, but somehow didn't see any negative posts about them until after I installed them. I would say, bottom line they are a great performance shock, and a poor/fair comfort shock. I could notice every crack in the road with my Ranchos and wanted something where I wouldn't feel those imperfections. I didn't get that with the Bilstein. I still feel everything, but handling and cornering are much more solid and confident. To me it rides like one of those lowered import ricers. It rebounds quickly to get you back on track and keep you planted. So while bouncing after bumps doesn't last long, it does happen very abruptly. In a straight line on pavement, the Ranchos were better and the GM 4x4 (non Z-71) shocks probably even better than those. But for cornering and off road, the Bilsteins would outperform the others by far.

What setting are you at, top?

Sierra Dan · November 10, 2018

We drive Trucks. Big Heavy Trucks.

NO shock that I know of will eliminate the jarring feeling of cracks and expansion joints.

Guys have even spent a fortune on Coil Overs only to be let down.

One suggestion I have is air down the tires a bit.

Somewhere between 32-35psi. Sure MPG will suffer slightly but the extra comfort is worth it to me.

This made a big difference for me with the old junk Ranchos and new 5100s.

Roscopcoletrain · November 10, 2018

9 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

We drive Trucks. Big Heavy Trucks.

NO shock that I know of will eliminate the jarring feeling of cracks and expansion joints.

Guys have even spent a fortune on Coil Overs only to be let down.

One suggestion I have is air down the tires a bit.

Somewhere between 32-35psi. Sure MPG will suffer slightly but the extra comfort is worth it to me.

This made a big difference for me with the old junk Ranchos and new 5100s.

I was thinking the same thing. Shock all you want, its still a truck. Its gonna ride like a truck.

CoachGardnerFHS · November 10, 2018

41 minutes ago, Yondu said:

What setting are you at, top?

3rd notch up. 1.26in lift per the instruction sheet. That's it. No blocks, leveling kit, etc, just Bilsteins on all 4 corners.

CoachGardnerFHS · November 10, 2018

19 minutes ago, Roscopcoletrain said:

I was thinking the same thing. Shock all you want, its still a truck. Its gonna ride like a truck.

I remember my brother had a Z71 about 15 years ago, and when I drove it I remember thinking it felt like a Cadillac. I know it's a different truck and maybe my memory is bad, but I thought it had a nice ride.

Snowcamo · November 10, 2018

I'll say this and I'm not trying to be rude. I think a lot of the confusion is people think that a truck should ride like a Cadillac. Unless you totally bag a truck or buy a truck with the animal with horns on it you are not going to get a smooth ride. and even then you're subject to warping dashes and an the engine that will fail at a hundred and fifty thousand miles. Or you can go and get a truck made by a company that will leave you returning home on foot. GM trucks are built like a rock. That being said they are meant to handle those rocks and whatever else that comes along. I'd rather know I'm buying a truck and not worry about how bumpy my ride is going to be when I only spent 400 bucks on shocks. As stated the spring rate would definitely help, but you'd also need a longer suspension travel and that these trucks do not have. Even if they did have it you'd have to put helper bags on the back to keep the a** from sagging.

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Yondu · November 10, 2018

8 minutes ago, Snowcamo said:

I'll say this and I'm not trying to be rude. I think a lot of the confusion is people think that a truck should ride like a Cadillac. Unless you totally bag a truck or buy a truck with the animal with horns on it you are not going to get a smooth ride. and even then you're subject to warping dashes and an the engine that will fail at a hundred and fifty thousand miles. Or you can go and get a truck made by a company that will leave you returning home on foot. GM trucks are built like a rock. That being said they are meant to handle those rocks and whatever else that comes along. I'd rather know I'm buying a truck and not worry about how bumpy my ride is going to be when I only spent 400 bucks on shocks. As stated the spring rate would definitely help, but you'd also need a longer suspension travel and that these trucks do not have. Even if they did have it you'd have to put helper bags on the back to keep the a** from sagging.

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I drive a 3/4 ton van with LT tires everyday and find the ride of that to be better. I have pretty realistic expectations I think. Granted the van has a lot of weight in it which certainly smooths it out, I do not expect or want the truck to ride like a Cadillac.

My biggest complaint about the Ranchos is the bump shudder and the highway bobbing (I have under 500 miles). As of yet, I don't know what it rides like with Bilsteins. I'll get them next week but it might be another week or two until I put them on.

Yondu · November 10, 2018

19 minutes ago, CoachGardnerFHS said:

3rd notch up. 1.26in lift per the instruction sheet. That's it. No blocks, leveling kit, etc, just Bilsteins on all 4 corners.

I'm torn between that setting and one down. My truck doesn't seem to have as much rake as some do, so I'll probably go one down.

What's your wheel and tire setup?

Another thing I feel people forget is where you live. Roads are much much worse up here in MN and other northern states. The winter really messed them up.

Snowcamo · November 10, 2018

I drive a 3/4 ton van with LT tires everyday and find the ride of that to be better. I have pretty realistic expectations I think. Granted the van has a lot of weight in it which certainly smooths it out, I do not expect or want the truck to ride like a Cadillac.

My biggest complaint about the Ranchos is the bump shudder and the highway bobbing (I have under 500 miles). As of yet, I don't know what it rides like with Bilsteins. I'll get them next week but it might be another week or two until I put them on.

Cool deal bud. I'm an HVACR tech and I've ridden in my share of Vans and I'll agree they do ride smoother. As you stated the extra weight in those helps. Try emptying yours to a bare shell including the shelves. You'll see the weight is exactly what helps smooth out the ride. Kind of like when you haul stuff in the bed of a truck smooth the ride out pretty good. I do like the Chevy Vans more then the ferds though. [emoji23]

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Snowcamo · November 10, 2018

My Bilstein struts and shocks provide a firm sorta stiff if you will ride. No floating, teeth jaring and no back end swing (even when cornering fast). Tires stay planted and the truck no longer bounces. The wife and kid says the steering feels better and overall ride.

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pronstar · November 10, 2018

I'll say this and I'm not trying to be rude. I think a lot of the confusion is people think that a truck should ride like a Cadillac. Unless you totally bag a truck or buy a truck with the animal with horns on it you are not going to get a smooth ride

It’s absolutely possible to get a smooth ride. It’s just not cheap.

If you’re ever in DFW and would like to ride in a smooth pickup, I’d be happy to take you for a spin.

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Snowcamo · November 10, 2018

It’s absolutely possible to get a smooth ride. It’s just not cheap.

If you’re ever in DFW and would like to ride in a smooth pickup, I’d be happy to take you for a spin.

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Actually I'll take you up on that offer... I live in North ft Worth. I'll be out and about in Dallas then Lewisville today.

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pronstar · November 10, 2018

Actually I'll take you up on that offer... I live in North ft Worth. I'll be out and about in Dallas then Lewisville today.

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I live in Duncanville, work in Carrollton [emoji106]

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