Bilstein shocks thread

Battle Born Offroad · June 26, 2019

Neither of us is wrong, but I did forget to tell you about the GMTRUCKS promocode

admiral95 · June 26, 2019

Thought I’d add to the discussion since this post helped me out quite a bit. Yes the Ranchos suck, and the 5100s are night and day difference. 2017 GMC Sierra All Terrain X Package (Z71 w exhaust).

Put 5100 Bilstein’s in the back - easy enough, came from the Jeep world, this was no problem.

Used a local shop to install the front struts, set to the max setting with a 0.5” spacer to fit a wide tire. I was going for the most tire I could fit with the least amount of lift without using one of those level kits, and said a little prayer. 325/60/18 (33.4”x12.8”) on 18x10 w -24 offset. Yes I had to trim, metal and plastic, but I have no rub. Truck is aligned, no stress on balljoints or cv’s. Tires sit about 1.5” out from flare, which is not too obtrusive and give it a good stance.

I’ll upgrade the UCA’s next. But more wanted to see if the above could be done! Appreciate the thread and posts (and arguments too)!

amxguy1970 · June 26, 2019

8 hours ago, admiral95 said:

Thought I’d add to the discussion since this post helped me out quite a bit. Yes the Ranchos suck, and the 5100s are night and day difference. 2017 GMC Sierra All Terrain X Package (Z71 w exhaust).

Put 5100 Bilstein’s in the back - easy enough, came from the Jeep world, this was no problem.

Used a local shop to install the front struts, set to the max setting with a 0.5” spacer to fit a wide tire. I was going for the most tire I could fit with the least amount of lift without using one of those level kits, and said a little prayer. 325/60/18 (33.4”x12.8”) on 18x10 w -24 offset. Yes I had to trim, metal and plastic, but I have no rub. Truck is aligned, no stress on balljoints or cv’s. Tires sit about 1.5” out from flare, which is not too obtrusive and give it a good stance.

I’ll upgrade the UCA’s next. But more wanted to see if the above could be done! Appreciate the thread and posts (and arguments too)!

How do you figure? You added a .5" spacer, max bilstein lift, a -24 offset wheel and a 325 heavy tire. Yeah, you have added some stress from stock... Have you said a prayer for your steering rack and wheel bearings?

Tyler

admiral95 · June 26, 2019

14 minutes ago, amxguy1970 said:

How do you figure? You added a .5" spacer, max bilstein lift, a -24 offset wheel and a 325 heavy tire. Yeah, you have added some stress from stock... Have you said a prayer for your steering rack and wheel bearings?

Tyler

True Tyler, any amount of lift will give stress. I was talking about the angle on the cv and balljoints that often you will see when people run those leveling kits (2-3”). From this thread it’s been proven the strut lift mitigates that problem, and in my case the 0.5” doesn’t exacerbate it.

Does a 7” lift to fit 35’s come with a steering rack and wheel bearings?

Sierra Dan · July 1, 2019

On 6/26/2019 at 1:07 AM, admiral95 said:

Yes the Ranchos suck, and the 5100s are night and day difference.

There is another believer out there

amxguy1970 · July 1, 2019

42 minutes ago, Sierra Dan said:

There is another believer out there

Ok, so what is your total count at? I know you track it to use it as a sales pitch at work...

Tyler

Sierra Dan · July 1, 2019

3 minutes ago, amxguy1970 said:

Ok, so what is your total count at? I know you track it to use it as a sales pitch at work...

Tyler

Maybe I work for Bilstein......

Bigmoore · July 2, 2019

Thought I’d add to the discussion since this post helped me out quite a bit. Yes the Ranchos suck, and the 5100s are night and day difference. 2017 GMC Sierra All Terrain X Package (Z71 w exhaust).

Put 5100 Bilstein’s in the back - easy enough, came from the Jeep world, this was no problem.

Used a local shop to install the front struts, set to the max setting with a 0.5” spacer to fit a wide tire. I was going for the most tire I could fit with the least amount of lift without using one of those level kits, and said a little prayer. 325/60/18 (33.4”x12.8”) on 18x10 w -24 offset. Yes I had to trim, metal and plastic, but I have no rub. Truck is aligned, no stress on balljoints or cv’s. Tires sit about 1.5” out from flare, which is not too obtrusive and give it a good stance.

I’ll upgrade the UCA’s next. But more wanted to see if the above could be done! Appreciate the thread and posts (and arguments too)!

How do you like the ridge grapplers? I was looking at them for mine.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

admiral95 · July 2, 2019

8 minutes ago, Bigmoore said:

How do you like the ridge grapplers? I was looking at them for mine.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Just drove down to the Gulf of Mexico from Dallas on them. Very low road noise, nice balance, so far can’t complain. Have done very well in sand. I did not get a lot of miles out of the stock Goodyears that came in the truck (about 20k before they started cupping). I’ve run (on Jeeps) Goodyear MTRs, Yokohama MTs, Mickey Thompson MTs, Interco SS and Nitto Trail Grapplers in the past. So far these, as popular as they are, seem to have the best of both worlds (road and play), and they are lower cost from Toyos which seem to be the only ones with a similar RT style. If they get 45k miles I’ll be happy!

swoleymammoth · July 5, 2019

which struts do you guys recommend? 5100's or 6112's? I drive 85% highway/10% city and 5% off-road if that. I commute 80 miles a day and I'm looking for something that'll be comfortable on the freeway, hold up better than the ranchos, and be decent on washboard roads. Don't know if the 6112's are worth it for me with such little off-road?

DaddyHasABigTruck · July 6, 2019

Hey guys - long time lurker - first time poster.

Original owner 2017 Silverado Z51 that has a RC Aluminum leveling kit. 2" part number 1308 on a set of 295/55/20 tires.

I am thinking about doing the Bilstein 5100 shocks and struts. I don't dislike the Z51 setup, but I am sure it can be improved upon. Truck has 36K on it.

I like how the truck currently sits and don't want to mess with this.

Far from an expert on shocks and suspensions so my question is - can I leave my 2" RC leveling blocks and just install the 5100's at "stock" height and they should be the same as my current set up?

Is that correct / is it possible?

Obligatory pic of my truck. sorry not the best angles but all I had on hand.

Edited July 6, 2019 by DaddyHasABigTruck

jimbrown1 · July 6, 2019

56 minutes ago, DaddyHasABigTruck said:

Hey guys - long time lurker - first time poster.

Original owner 2017 Silverado Z51 that has a RC Aluminum leveling kit. 2" part number 1308 on a set of 295/55/20 tires.

I am thinking about doing the Bilstein 5100 shocks and struts. I don't dislike the Z51 setup, but I am sure it can be improved upon. Truck has 36K on it.

I like how the truck currently sits and don't want to mess with this.

Far from an expert on shocks and suspensions so my question is - can I leave my 2" RC leveling blocks and just install the 5100's at "stock" height and they should be the same as my current set up?

Is that correct / is it possible?

Obligatory pic of my truck. sorry not the best angles but all I had on hand.

That’s exactly what I did on mine. Truck rides great.

Neumonic · July 6, 2019

21 hours ago, swoleymammoth said:

which struts do you guys recommend? 5100's or 6112's? I drive 85% highway/10% city and 5% off-road if that. I commute 80 miles a day and I'm looking for something that'll be comfortable on the freeway, hold up better than the ranchos, and be decent on washboard roads. Don't know if the 6112's are worth it for me with such little off-road?

I went with the 6112’s because it is the strut/spring combo the truck should have from the factory, just replacing stock strut and keeping factory springs will only change the ride 50%. Might as well do it once and be done! I drive the same style as you and am so glad I waited for the 6112’s, installed myself as it is a piece of cake!

let me know if you have any questions or want more info?

11 hours ago, DaddyHasABigTruck said:

Hey guys - long time lurker - first time poster.

Original owner 2017 Silverado Z51 that has a RC Aluminum leveling kit. 2" part number 1308 on a set of 295/55/20 tires.

I am thinking about doing the Bilstein 5100 shocks and struts. I don't dislike the Z51 setup, but I am sure it can be improved upon. Truck has 36K on it.

I like how the truck currently sits and don't want to mess with this.

Far from an expert on shocks and suspensions so my question is - can I leave my 2" RC leveling blocks and just install the 5100's at "stock" height and they should be the same as my current set up?

Is that correct / is it possible?

Obligatory pic of my truck. sorry not the best angles but all I had on hand.

I removed my spacers when I installed the 6112’s, better geometry taking them out when running factory control arms. Put the 6112’s or 5100’s on the top ring and your at the same height up front with a better ride!

Hawkeye79 · July 6, 2019

On 6/24/2019 at 2:40 PM, Whitty21 said:

Hey Guys,

Did some digging but couldnt come up with much.

I assume everything is the same for the 2019 limited editions? Anyone know off hand which control arms came on this model? Just picked up my 2019 sierra limeted z71 a month ago and debating the 5100's

As far as I know, the Limited is essentially the same as the 2018s. Every part number I’ve compared on my Limited matches the part numbers on the 2018. I think all the Limiteds were all configured with the stamped steel UCAs. Mine did I know for sure. You are correct, very little info out there on these. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

acc412 · July 7, 2019

Hey everyone.

pulled the trigger on 5100s for front and rear. My current set up is 275/55/20s with an RC 1.5 level. Hoping to Install on highest setting with level removed and I was wondering if I should be on?

Edited July 8, 2019 by acc412