New shocks, Bilstein?

[jwduke]

Want to put new shocks on my truck. (Yes I still am running the originals!) Which is the best Bilstein for improvement in ride over the factory shocks? THANKS!!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I tried non- adj. Rancho's and then Bilsteins and the Bills performed much better. They were able to control the porpoising I experienced with the trailer attached and they soak up bumps without the harshness. Even my wife noticed the difference in the way it rode and that's saying something.

 

[jwduke]

Prairie Dog, which Bilstein model did you go with? I understand the 5100's give a rougher ride...

 

[mfurrh55]

I put the bilstein front air shocks and they ride great, easy to puy on too,Kinda pricy though, 570. 00, Monte

 

[seafish]

Call Genos garage. They offer the Bilstein 5100 for either 0-2" lifts or another set of 5100 for more lift. They also offer the yellow and blue Bilstein HD which our specifically tuned for our trucks and that alot of people like a lot, but I prefer the 5100. Either way you go, you will experience your truck handling more responsively and feeling "lighter on its feet".

 

[Shadrach]

I am running the blue and yellow ones and am happy with them. Shad

 

[Prairie Dog]

Blue and yellows for me too.

 

[Adubya]

I have the 5160s with the remote resovoirs and love them. Kind of expensive at about $150 per shock. But more than worth it.

 

[jwduke]

Anything has to be better than the factory shocks...

 

[JerryNelson]

The sliver 5100's are the same as the yellow and blue. The only difference is the 5100 are for 0-2 inch lift.

 

[seafish]

The sliver 5100's are the same as the yellow and blue. The only difference is the 5100 are for 0-2 inch lift.

I do not believe that is correct. While the 5100 and HD use the same shock body, piston and fluid, the yellow and blue shocks (HD) are valved specifically for our Ram trucks, while the silver/black 5100 are a more generic valving for different trucks. The silver and black shocks are also available in two different lengths for two differnet lift ranges ( stock to 2" lift) and (2" to 6" lift).

 

[Jack in Alaska]

I have approx. 70k miles on a set of blue/yellow Bilsteins. How many miles can I expect from them. They seem to be doing fine but detecting worn shocks is tough as they usually fail slowly. I drive on a lot of rough roads.

 

[jwduke]

The 5100's are gas shocks, aren't they??

 

[Prairie Dog]

The 5100's are gas shocks, aren't they??

From what I read, yes.

 

[Wingate]

I am thinking of trying a set of KYB shocks... I do not care for the look of the Bilsteins. I have ran KYB on other vehicles over the years and they always performed very well... .

 

[AH64ID]

I installed the 5100's this spring and WOW, I am more impressed with this set of shocks than any other set of shocks I have installed in the last 15 years.

 

[HBarlow]

I have approx. 70k miles on a set of blue/yellow Bilsteins. How many miles can I expect from them. They seem to be doing fine but detecting worn shocks is tough as they usually fail slowly. I drive on a lot of rough roads.

Bilsteins seem to last forever. I've installed blue and yellow Bilstein shocks on all three of my Rams at somewhere around 60k - 70k miles and then never replaced shocks again. The Bilsteins installed on my old '01 are still on the truck at 400k+ miles. Compared to a new set of out of the box there is probably a detectable decline in performance on a set with that many miles on it but they are not worn out like the OEM cheapos that are always junk before 100k miles.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Harvey,
Thanks for the reply. I am back in Alaska from Az. and another 5k miles (75k total) on the shocks.
My present blue/yellow Bilstein shocks seem to not keep the rear duallys from jumping up/down on a sharp bump on the pavement. The front ones seem to be ok.
I will probably replace them when back in Az. this fall. Cheaper shipping to Az. than Alaska. Also I have a good reasonable mech. shop there that can install them for me.
I used to do all that stuff myself but at 74 yrs... ????? Too far to the ground.
Jack

 

[HBarlow]

Jack,

I'll be interested to hear if new shocks will control the rear axle completely. I think it may be a little too much to ask of a pair of shocks to control that much mass and weight when we run over a sharp pavement heave.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Harvey,
Do you have any thoughts on using the black/silver shocks this time??? I have lowered the rear of my truck approx. 2" by shifting the spacer block around on the spring perches. I just hate a truck (or car) that humps up in the rear. I like them level.
Thanks,
Jack