[Titan5.45]

Alright I'm debating between Bilstien 5100s and Fox coilovers for my leveled 09 4x4. I have some questions about the coilovers.
Do they need to be rebuilt after a certain length of time? If so how often?
How is the rides height adjusted? Could it be set to 1.5 inches? I cant figure out is like the Bilstiens with preset levels or something else.
Are the coilovers worth it? I'm on a lot of dirt roads and do some mild off roading, nothing crazy, no jumps or anything.

Thanks

 

[Blackbeauty]

Some coilovers just adjust with a spanner wrench and you crank them up or down as you want. The Fox coilovers, apparently are different.

 

[Titan5.45]

Some coilovers just adjust with a spanner wrench and you crank them up or down as you want. The Fox coilovers, apparently are different.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R35XfvITT4

What about rebuilding them?

 

[Blackbeauty]

I had a set of SAW front coilovers on my truck for 8 years. They started to leak. I sent them back to Sway-A-Way to be rebuilt. They told me the parts and shafts were too far gone to be rebuilt. So they gave me a good discount on a new set.

Fast forward, I had the new ones on for 1.5 years, with the passenger front leaking for about 9 months of that. As it turns out, I jacked them up too high and the shaft came out of the casing which is what started leaking.

Technically, you shouldn't have to have these rebuilt for quite some time. I got 8 years out of the first set and would have probably gotten that or close to it out of the next set. They are substantial units... not like the OEM junk. My OEM units were toast within 3 years.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Some can be adjusted on the truck. It is a threaded body, you use a spanner wrench to adjust preload on the spring. Yes you can have them set to 1.5" lift. I would recommend the Icon 2.5 coilovers. they can be adjusted on the truck. Fox cannot. Trust me, been there, done that.

icons are a whole different level then 5100's. 5100's would be fine for your use though. they're a zero maintenance shock as well. ICONS would "need" rebuilding every few years depending on your location. seals and shock oil is all it takes. the occasional bearing/uniball as well in the lower shock eyelet. they do not use rubber bushings. If you run them for 8 years with no maintenance expect to destroy the actual shafts like silly black beauty did. SAWS were also known for corroding.

ICONS: adjustable on the truck (0-2.5" i believe), low maintenance, will outperform the truck.
5100's: adjustable off the truck (0,1,2" of lift), zero maintenance, cheap AF.

Both will ride similar on road/dirt roads. Long harsh/high speed offroading the 5100's will fade/blow out. I've ran 5100's, Fox 2.5's, and Saws 2.5's. the SAWS and 5100's were smoothest on road. Fox were killer offroad in the hard hits/high speed. The SAWS corroded and leaked. The front 5100's actually held up well and for the money they were great on road.

Don't spend 800$ and put a 2.0 fox on your truck. Just don't. If you buy a coilover go with a 2.5" body shock.

 

[Titan5.45]

Some can be adjusted on the truck. It is a threaded body, you use a spanner wrench to adjust preload on the spring. Yes you can have them set to 1.5" lift. I would recommend the Icon 2.5 coilovers. they can be adjusted on the truck. Fox cannot. Trust me, been there, done that.

icons are a whole different level then 5100's. 5100's would be fine for your use though. they're a zero maintenance shock as well. ICONS would "need" rebuilding every few years depending on your location. seals and shock oil is all it takes. the occasional bearing/uniball as well in the lower shock eyelet. they do not use rubber bushings. If you run them for 8 years with no maintenance expect to destroy the actual shafts like silly black beauty did. SAWS were also known for corroding.

ICONS: adjustable on the truck (0-2.5" i believe), low maintenance, will outperform the truck.
5100's: adjustable off the truck (0,1,2" of lift), zero maintenance, cheap AF.

Both will ride similar on road/dirt roads. Long harsh/high speed offroading the 5100's will fade/blow out. I've ran 5100's, Fox 2.5's, and Saws 2.5's. the SAWS and 5100's were smoothest on road. Fox were killer offroad in the hard hits/high speed. The SAWS corroded and leaked. The front 5100's actually held up well and for the money they were great on road.

Don't spend 800$ and put a 2.0 fox on your truck. Just don't. If you buy a coilover go with a 2.5" body shock.

Would you say the Bilstiens are worth it? I think the coilovers are a little extreme for my use but I don't want to spend money and not notice a difference. When if off road now I feel every bump it feels like. lol

 

[honda250xtitan]

Would you say the Bilstiens are worth it? I think the coilovers are a little extreme for my use but I don't want to spend money and not notice a difference. When if off road now I feel every bump it feels like. lol

yes definitely worth it. I also ditched the sway bar. it was nice

 

[Mermans]

Did you drive on the street without the sway bar with the 5100s?

 

[honda250xtitan]

Did you drive on the street without the sway bar with the 5100s?

Did everything without a sway bar. Towed cross country, offroad, daily drive, etc. you get used to it. some hate it some love it.

 

[Dave Da Kyd]

Dont mean to thread jack, but i have the 5100's and i love them. I have been running them to the highest settings, is that okay for off road use?

 

[honda250xtitan]

Dont mean to thread jack, but i have the 5100's and i love them. I have been running them to the highest settings, is that okay for off road use?

without a spacer on top, yea you're fine.