Bilstein 5100 review

username · 07-01-2008, 10:42 PM

I'm a suspension geek, and I generally despise OEM shocks due to their mediocre-at-everything performance. The Ranchos on our 05 Titan were no exception, rough over bumps yet soft and mooshy when relying upon them for control. I was pleased that they were fading fast after only 25k miles of use.

I've always had good luck with Bilsteins in the past for street vehicles, and they're cheap for the Titan, so they were were a natural choice. I went with the 5100s over HDs for the option of more front ride height, and the cool nickel plated finish. Plus I thought they might have valving more suited to towing, which is our truck's main purpose in life.

The good...

Drastic benefits in overall handling. The Titan is no sports car, but now you can get all 5000+ lbs to change direction much easier and with less drama. In quick lane-change situations, either for fun or safety reasons, the difference is huge.

Much more control over bumps. Hitting a series of potholes or washboard ruts at speed used to send the wheels crashing around and the truck bucking pathetically. Now the truck eats bumps up and asks for more.

More road feel. The Bilsteins seem to transmit more of the high frequency inputs to the chassis so you can feel what the tires are up to. I really like this and consider it a benefit - the truck is more engaging to drive and it's easier to know when you're reaching the limits of traction.

The different...

The truck moves around more over certain types of bumps than it did before. Not annoying, just not what I expected. The first bump after the install was backing out of our driveway which meets the street with a noticable 45-degree curb. The truck exhibits more motion over this - well controlled motion though. Maybe this is a natural effect of valving that eats the big bumps well.

The bad...

Not much to report here. I guess you have to scrounge up $300 or so that could have been spent on beer/gas/etc, but for the benefits it's a pretty good deal.

Install notes:

If you're using a wimpy car-sized spring compressor, the spring coils are thick and the "claws" may not fit well on the spring. I wore a motorcycle helmet just in case during the compressor operations. (The neighbors and passers-by will enjoy watching you with a helmet on too).

Be careful when compressing the old shocks by hand just for fun. On one end (I forgot whether it was the front or rear) the shock shaft gets smaller towards the end, and if you push this area past the seals, the hydraulic fluid is ejected in a spectacular fashion. (The neighbors didn't notice this unfortunately).

I didn't use the front ride height feature. I chickened out after realizing there isn't a lot droop travel at stock height, and also that with the stock front height the truck is nice and level with our trailer hooked up. I didn't want the saggy butt when towing, for both aesthetic and performance reasons.

That's about it... Quite a big change for around $300, I can only imagine what the really good suspension bits are like.

**Arachnid** · 07-01-2008, 10:58 PM

Nice write-up, thanks

SDTitan1 · 07-02-2008, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username

I can only imagine what the really good suspension bits are like.

they are badass!

nice write up.

**RobKar** · 07-02-2008, 01:11 AM

you can get them with the springs already done from Greg at PRG ... thats what I did. Makes the install easy!

**goathead** · 07-02-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobKar

you can get them with the springs already done from Greg at PRG ... thats what I did. Makes the install easy!

thats what im planning on doing as well. what was your total cost? what all did you get, just front or front/rear? thanks

**chunko** · 07-02-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goathead

thats what im planning on doing as well. what was your total cost? what all did you get, just front or front/rear? thanks

http://www.prgproducts.com/shop/prod..._titan_struts/

**RobKar** · 07-02-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goathead

thats what im planning on doing as well. what was your total cost? what all did you get, just front or front/rear? thanks

DHR Rear and Bil up front with the 2" lift. I am 2WD and the ride is WAYYYYY better!

dogstar · 07-02-2008, 08:21 PM

Nice write up on your experiences w/ the new shocks. How bout an update after a few thousand miles.

PrerunnerGreg · 07-02-2008, 08:53 PM

Unfortunatly, we no longer have any 4wd springs, some 2wd left though. As for the "lift" using 5100 Bils up front. The best combo I have found is to use the middle setting (about .750 inche lift, not quite the 1" that they claim) and our 1.5" spacer. This is about the most preload you can add the the shock and still keep a desent amount of droop (extension) and the 1.5" leveling kit will not (on most Titans anyway) let the UCA hit the coilbucket at all. This adds up to a bit over 2" of lift with a great ride and no possible noises.

sportbiker929 · 07-02-2008, 08:59 PM

I love my 5100's!

wl07 · 07-02-2008, 10:38 PM

i thought the 5100's were for lifted trucks only, is that not true?

07cajuntitan · 08-18-2008, 11:45 AM

I am going to attempt to change out my fronts this weekend. Please explain why the coil must be compressed? I guess there is a proper procedure for getting the new shock into the coil, I just don't know what that procedure is. Sorry for my ignorance, but I have never done this before. Thanks.

sportbiker929 · 08-19-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07cajuntitan

I am going to attempt to change out my fronts this weekend. Please explain why the coil must be compressed? I guess there is a proper procedure for getting the new shock into the coil, I just don't know what that procedure is. Sorry for my ignorance, but I have never done this before. Thanks.

I highly recommend you remove your shocks and take them to a shop to be done professionally. If you don't know what you are doing, it can be fatal.

07cajuntitan · 08-21-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportbiker929

I highly recommend you remove your shocks and take them to a shop to be done professionally. If you don't know what you are doing, it can be fatal.

Point taken. I've heard enough. Firestone - here I come.

Diablo · 08-24-2008, 03:13 PM

OK. I have a question. I am a little confused as to the whole leveling idea. I understand you can buy a spacer for the front struts to make the truck sit level. And I have also been told that the Bilstein 5100's will also level the truck. My question is this: Do you do both the Bilsteins and spacers or just the bilstein's or the spacer? I have a TWD '04 Crew and I want to level it out. What is the best choice/option? Thanks for the info...