Bilstein 5100 vs. Bilstein HD

PRJ · 06-12-2008, 02:12 PM

Which one soaks up the bumps better and smoothens out the ride.

I have stock off-road shocks up front right now and DR's in the back. ~70,000 miles on the truck.

I am trying to decide between the two.

PRJ · 06-15-2008, 06:24 AM

bueller? bueller? anyone?

sportbiker929 · 06-15-2008, 09:45 AM

i believe both are a huge upgrade over stock, but the 5100s are slightly better and allow you to preload the spring to achieve up to about 2.5in of lift. My PRO4X went up three with the 5100s on the highest setting and it rides nicely and also handles washboard dirt roads like its pavement. Even my wife likes'em.

PrerunnerGreg · 06-16-2008, 07:14 AM

Internally they are nearly the same. You should only be able to get about 1.75" of lift on max setting. Since the spacing is about 1.1" from the stock location. If you are getting 3" of lift the alignement is off by a bunch and the tires are towed in causing extra lift.

sportbiker929 · 06-16-2008, 08:11 AM

How could my alignment be off. The truck is new.

pecora55 · 06-16-2008, 08:19 AM

Doesn't matter if the truck is new. The alignment can be off anytime. But it does appear you made possibly a few suspension changes? I don't know what your setup is so don't quote me on that. Basically what Greg is saying is that the 5100s you have should only be getting 1.75 inches of lift not the 3 you are referring to and that you are getting the extra lift because your tires may be doing this \ /

sportbiker929 · 06-16-2008, 08:43 AM

I understand what he is saying. I just installed the shocks on the highest setting on an 08 PRO4X. Is it possible that the front suspension is slightly diff

ptgarcia · 06-16-2008, 01:52 PM

Any time you change ride height the alignment changes. Grab a tape and check the toe.

PrerunnerGreg · 06-16-2008, 02:35 PM

PT is 100% right. Since you changed the ride height, you caused toe-in (Nissan designs the bumpsteer into the steering) and any time you raise or lower more than about 1/2" you need the alignment (toe specifically) adjusted. Also, your pro4x is the same as any other year Titan, all the '08 use a slightly longer spring than the earlier models to get a bit more ride height stock.

PRJ · 06-17-2008, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportbiker929

i believe both are a huge upgrade over stock, but the 5100s are slightly better and allow you to preload the spring to achieve up to about 2.5in of lift. My PRO4X went up three with the 5100s on the highest setting and it rides nicely and also handles washboard dirt roads like its pavement. Even my wife likes'em.

Thanks. That is the answer I was looking for.

Now... Where is the cheapest place to buy them?

07cajuntitan · 06-17-2008, 11:14 AM

You guys are killing me. I've been debating on what new shocks to get as well. My concern is that the 5100's would be much rougher than the stocks I have now. Some are saying smoother & the wife likes them - others are saying rougher & the wife doesn't like them... I said this in another thread, and I will say it now...The only way to tell is to jump out there & get them yourself...which I may just have to do.

Cheapest place I have found is www.shox.com but you have to pay for shipping with them. www.shockwarehouse.com has a good price as well & free shipping. Good luck.

ptgarcia · 06-17-2008, 11:21 AM

When Greg hooked me up with my suspension several years ago he had a perfect description for the Bilsteins that I still remember and use today: firm, but compliant.

USN HM 350Z · 06-23-2008, 07:48 PM

I just installed the 5100s today and got an alignment. These are like night and day over the stock junk. I am not sure how much it lifted it as I did not measure before after. The Toe needed to be adjusted a lot though.

So far I love these things. They will suit me well until I do the lift kit.

07cajuntitan · 06-26-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USN HM 350Z

These are like night and day over the stock junk

Please explain what "night & day" means to you. Thx

USN HM 350Z · 06-26-2008, 05:38 PM

stiffer
less roll
feel more in touch with the road.

I come from performace cars and I like feeling the road when I drive. Stock shocks/struts felt way to soft for me and allowed for more body roll.