2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission comparing yellow/blue Biltstein with silver/black shock

[LarryWard]

Today a shock vendor explained there is no internal difference in these Bilstein shocks, only the exterior finish. And if so, is there any external benefits to spend an extra $10 per shock for the silver/black? Both colors combos are labeled as BE 5 and followed with numbers for front/rears and exterior finish choice. My search on the forum has never indicated they are internally different and the commentarys on performance seemed to infer they perform the same.



And then comments are made about a Kore having Bilstein revalving,etc them to be more suitable for the Dodge diesel. And one gets some inferences that this or that vendor's Bilsteins have some superior internal specs for our trucks. Yet all appear to have identical BE 5 numbers for either color combo. I for one would very much like to have some clear resolution on this before buying from any vendor. And if this was covered in the past archives with such clarity I totally missed it and my apologies. It is also disconcerting that the same shock is used on the 1500 Dodge as the 2500, maybe even the 3500 series.

How does that make them so specific for our series?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I'm pretty sure the silver ones are better. I've worn out two sets of Yellow/Blue on my '96 in a short amount of time, barely made 20,000 miles. But guys with the silver ones seem to have good luck with them.

If you do get the blue/yellow shocks, be sure and get them from some place that will exchange them out no questions asked under warrany. . . the place I bought them from would not. You had to buy a new set, send the old ones in, only to be denied warranty even though they were clearly shot.

Vaughn

 

[LarryWard]

comparing bilsteins

Forgot to mention the silver/black 5100s for 4x4s require you to specify what lift inches you require. My 4x4 is whatever lifted factory numbers are but I would not know which ones to order. The yellow/blues do not seem to address a specific lift question but the 5100s ask which lift choice you need or want. Is that the main reason for choosing 5100s, because one has changed the original factory lift of the oem Dodge 4x4 diesel? If they really are a better shock than the yellow/blues I hope to hear more detail of specs and experiences to verify than what the forum search comparison has shown me.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

When they say "lifted" it means how much over stock. . . the silver ones are too long to use on a stock 4x4, the shortest silver ones are 1" longer than the stockers as I recall.

This might be interesting to read Last Chance for Bilsteins! - BOMBER Board

 

[JDiepstra]

I have read the silver shocks have 2 inches more travel. I think it was in Geno's Garage.