Replace Springs with Shocks & differences between Biltstein 5100 vs 4600?

reardiff · June 3

I currently have 85,000 miles on the stock shocks and starting to leak. Time for replaceing. When replacing is it necessary or recommended to replace the front springs? I'm leaning towards keeping the springs as the truck has seen almost entirely on road use, but could be persuaded if there's a real reason. When compressing the springs, are the Parts store rentals ok / safe, or just take the entire assembly to a shop and have them swap it out?

Also, other than the adjustable height, any noticable differences between the biltstein 5100 vs 4600? Truck stays on road most of the time and already has a 1.5 inch level so would be leaving it on the lowest setting, thus leaning towards 4600 but not a fan of the ugly yellow.

Snowcamo · June 3

Skip the bils... rough ride and not worth it imo.

https://eibach.com/product/E60-23-006-03-10?epsid=2260

Keep the factory springs if you want to save cost. Otherwise get their springs.

***Get a new top cap\ mount and take everything to a shop and have them assemble.

***No compressor an auto parts store has is safe to compress these truck springs. The truck springs have way too much force for the compressors to safely compress our truck springs. Just don't.

They all bent and one flew off when I did my bils swap.

Edited June 3 by Snowcamo
Wording

MikeBMW · June 3

6 hours ago, Snowcamo said:

Skip the bils... rough ride and not worth it imo.

Sorry, I have to disagree, I went with the Bilstein 5100s all around.
On my 5 1/2" lift, it's never ridden any better, soaks up railroad crossing tracks with little issues. I ,also, have a rear spring lift which makes the rear even stiffer but the 5100s dampen it well.
Just my opinion.

Snowcamo · June 4

This post from a while back sums up what I've experienced since I've installed them. Most of the bad reviews come from trucks that are leveled only. There are a couple reviews from guys who swapped the eibach for bils and say it's a better ride. I have some on the way now.

https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/225634-new-shocks/?do=findComment&comment=2274858

asilverblazer · June 4

Based on my experience, I think the 4600 bilstein allow more motion than the 5100, this is contrary to internet wisdom that says they are exactly the same.

sk · June 21

I replaced the factory Ranchos on my 2015 Z71 with "standard" model 4600's all around (stock truck with no lift, lower, or front level).

The difference in ride quality was AMAZING ....

Cupton · June 21

13 hours ago, sk said:

I replaced the factory Ranchos on my 2015 Z71 with "standard" model 4600's all around (stock truck with no lift, lower, or front level).

The difference in ride quality was AMAZING ....

Same here with my stock 2018 All-Terrain. 4600's on all four corners and I do not regret that decision one bit.

reardiff · June 29

To follow up on this, I ended up going with 5100's. I was going to go with 4600 but suprisingly the fronts are nearly non existant or anywhere to be found. Checked numerous on-line retailers and local parts stores and sold out everywhere. No idea why. That made the decision pretty easy with the 5100's. Got them for a decent price at Shock Surplus, all four for $475. Haven't installed them yet, going to do the rears myself but take it in for the fronts just because compressing those springs scare me. Once they get on I'll let you all know what the ride quality opinoin is.