Blistein 5100 shocks

[BGlidewell]

After 12k miles, I was not completely satisfied with the Ranch 9000 shocks. I took them off last night and put on the Blisteins. The install was both easier and harder than the RS9000s. The front shocks are a bear to get off and on, with either compared to the back shocks which are a breeze to install. The Blisteins have a allen-head in the top stem of the front shocks, but I had a more difficult time getting them under the shock towers due to their expansion after I released the tie, which has to be done to get the bushing on the stems before the tower is bolted onto the frame. Ranchos dont expand and are not pressurized like the Blisteins. The allen-head equiped Blistein was much easier than the Rancho "slot" when compressing the bushing down onto the tower though.



Initial impression is the Blisteins are better handling and slightly less harsh. I think they may do a better job of keeping the tires on the ground.

 

[Jaysyl]

What color shocks did you get? Yellow and blue, or black and silver. Genos now sells two different colors. What is the difference?

 

[swmnkdinthervr]

What color shocks did you get? Yellow and blue, or black and silver. Genos now sells two different colors. What is the difference?

I spoke with a "tech" at Genos... he told me that the shocks are identical in construction internally with exception for length...

 

[CDonaldson]

I installed the black/silver Bilstein shocks on my truck when doing the front leveling, I am very please with the performance over stock shocks. I have a friend who went to the Rancho 9K's on his 06 Mega a few months ago, after riding in my truck he has now changed to the Bilsteins. I think when my Bilsteins are shot I would consider Fox shocks, as they can be valved for our trucks like the Billsteins.



They certainly can be a pain to install on the front. I attached the shock tower to the expanded shock and then pushed it down, used a cleco clamp to hold it in place while I put in the tower bolts.



CD

 

[BGlidewell]

The veridict is in

I received the silver/black shocks from Genos. Just a color difference. We put over 300 miles on them this weekend both empty and pulling a equipment trailer. The Wife says they were worth it. They make the truck ride much better.

 

[Tomscreek]

I just recently put a set of the blue and yellow ones on (95,000 miles) and I really don't feel any improvement.

 

[EricBu12]

hey guys,



for an easy way to install your front shocks with the bilstiens, jack up the fram behnd the controll arms so the axle drops a bit. then you can install the shock with it expanded and put the tower on and bolt it up with no resistance on the tower. then let the weight down keeping the stem lined up and bolt up the top nut of the shock... very easy and no problems. . works like a charm

 

[BGlidewell]

hey guys,



for an easy way to install your front shocks with the bilstiens, jack up the fram behnd the controll arms so the axle drops a bit. then you can install the shock with it expanded and put the tower on and bolt it up with no resistance on the tower. then let the weight down keeping the stem lined up and bolt up the top nut of the shock... very easy and no problems. . works like a charm

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Rhondasway]

hey guys,



for an easy way to install your front shocks with the bilstiens, jack up the fram behnd the controll arms so the axle drops a bit. then you can install the shock with it expanded and put the tower on and bolt it up with no resistance on the tower. then let the weight down keeping the stem lined up and bolt up the top nut of the shock... very easy and no problems. . works like a charm

Thanks for that helpful hint!! I put mine on today (having read this), and it went great; just dropped the unbolted tower onto the shock and jacked 'er up until it rested back on its bolts. It's nice to have you TDR guys' practical experience, especially since the Bilstein instructions are about as easy to understand as Japanese brail.

 

[Sky]

Well I have a set of 5100's sitting here next to my CPU waiting for my truck to get here this week. Then i am going to put them on with my level kit. I am use to the Rancho adjustable so I am interested in seeing the difference when towing. The fronts I never adjust but the rears I do when I am towing and its nice to not have the "cow buck" kinda ride when you hit a dip in the road. So I hope these 5100's are stiff enough to do the same job with out the ability to adjust.

 

[jeepit]

Sky, Keep us informed with the trailer test. I'd be very interested in how the Bilsteins act as compared to the Ranchos.

 

[Mark31]

Hello all! I put some silver (Genos) Bilsteins on my 04 4X4 2500 (41k) just prior to a 9700 mile May jaunt from SC to Alaska via CA (to pick up a 4k 26 ft long Woodmizer portable saw mill ) and back to SC. The Bilsteins made me feel like I had a new truck! Bad roads, frost heaves, "bucking" sawmill, twisty turnees, expansion joints, you name it, the Bilsteins handled it. The best money I've spent on my truck! Mark

 

[Joe Mc]

Hey guys - just a tip/my experience. I have the yel/blu and think they are great. An area for improvement is in the upper shock stem to tower rubber bushing. The top bushings that comes with them suck, mine didn't last 10k before the old hop returned. Glad I saved the stock ones, installed them and life is good again.

Do yourself a favor and use the stock upper bushing when you install.

Prior to installing mine I saw a post almost to the "Tee" of what I've said above and when I got the shocks looked them over and checked the bushings provided then I said to myself "yeah right, what the heck is this guy talking about". The look fine, the problem is they must be of a softer and less durable compound than the stock ones as they just deteriorate and turn into a mushy glob of goo. Literally they must melt or somthing, I stuck a finger on one and looked down to see my fingertip was black and sticky - trust me keep the stock ones around for a while if you choose to use the ones in the box.

Maybe they changed their vendor for the bushings or the compound used if the make their own.

Great product otherwise.

 

[wneubauer]

I used the stock bushings when I put my 5100's on... You can tell by looking that the Bilstein rubber was not as stout as the stock bushings.

 

[PatrickMarshall]

I wondered about those bushings when I changed mine over to the Bilsteins. I'll keep the stock ones on hand just in case. Wish I would of known this a week ago.

 

[swmnkdinthervr]

Has anyone asked their supplier if they have a heavier replacement bushing? I'm thinking if enough folks mentioned the problem something might get addressed...

 

[EricBu12]

I just got replacement Poly bushings from an off-road shop. . Just a normal stem mount bushing works good.

 

[BigDaddy]

The 5100s are a great shock

Hi All,



I installed the Bilstein 5100s to my 2K 2500 4x4 this weekend and the ride is greatly improved. I do the normal around town and highway driving, but also use a short unimproved road daily and I would rate these shocks as a "10" for overall performance.



I called Bilstein's Tech Line and they told me to use the F4-BE5-6681-H5 for the front and the F4-BE5-6682-H5 for the rear (Silver). I bought these from Central 4 Wheel Drive at $68. 35 each + shipping. These shocks are for the over 8,800 lb. GVW (2500 and 3500) and can be use on non-lifted (stock front-end) and 2" lifted Dodges.



My special thanks go to EricBu12, Joe Mc, and Bill Neubauer for your tips and feedback. The installation was a breeze with the frame jacking and I reused the stock bushings on your suggestion.



Joe

 

[Matt400]

I am use to the Rancho adjustable so I am interested in seeing the difference when towing. I hope these 5100's are stiff enough to do the same job with out the ability to adjust.

Have they been heavy enough for towing?