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Bilstein Shock choices

31K views 42 replies 25 participants last post by  michael.pennock.79 
#1 ·
First before someone tries to flame. I have done my search and it has turned up nothing.

I really would like to go with a bilstein shock but the decision is dual 5100, dual 5150's or single 5165.
Background: I will be installing a used procomp stage 2 kit, along with porbably deavers in the rear. I use it for my dd but I do want the best shock for the money for my go fast.
I am leaning toward the dual 5150's. What do you guys think?
 
#4 ·
I would suggest dual 5100s, they have a specific fitment that is valved correctly for a 4"-6" lift. I ran that for a while before upgrading to coilovers, and honestly, never had a single issue, they worked fantastic, and are not super expensive.

When you get into the 5150 and 5165, your spending more to convert to the eye let top, looking for the exact fit, blah blah blah.

One other thing, the 5100s have great resale value, so if you decide to later upgrade to something else, 9 out of 10 times, you will get some good cashola back for them on the forums.
 
#6 ·
One other thing, the 5100s have great resale value, so if you decide to later upgrade to something else, 9 out of 10 times, you will get some good cashola back for them on the forums.
You make a really good point. I don't think that i would ever convert to coilovers that's why i kinda feel like i should do it once and right.
 
#5 ·
I ran dual 5150's up front and it worked very well. On each side, I ran one with the stiffer valving and one with the softer valving, and it seemed to be just about right (I was using coils from a 6-inch Skyjacker kit at the time).

Whatever model you choose, Bilstein is a good choice. When I switched over to coilovers, I continued to utilize Bilstein for my shock needs.
 
#7 ·
so what model 5100's would you run for a 6" on our broncos? got any part numbers?
 
#8 ·
I would really like this info to.
Every website I have checked with, including here I have yet to come up with the primary and auxillary shocks #'s for 5100's with 6" lift
any help would be appreciated:goodfinge
 
#9 ·
I suggest you PM or call Mark at Southwest Performance, he uses Bilsteins and can help you make an informed choice. (not that any of our illustrous forum buddies cannot help you) :D
 
#10 ·
if it were me and the idea is to do it right the first time, id just jump it up to some 2.5" resis. Now, that does open up a whole new problem of getting them mounted but depending on your fabrication skills or contacts/resources that may or may not be a big issue. The real advantage of these is being able to easily adjust your valving. The 5100's are awesome and the 5150s are even better but they can never hope to perform better than a prperly valved 2.5 smoothbody resi. Ive used FOA in the past several times now for my personal trucks and some customers and always liked them a lot and the price is incredible. Two 10in 2.5 resis with all upgrade options is $424 plus shipping so there isnt that much more cost for the shocks themselves. Being rebuildable, theoretically they can be the last set of shocks you will ever need barring catastrophic failure and whatnot
 
#12 ·
I thought I should chime in on this one since its right up my alley. The best decision dependends on wether or not it is a 4" or 6" lift. We have a great set up for a 4" lift for 5100's but not for a 6"....(In the 5100 Series, we never produced a specific 5100 for the auxillery shock.) Same is true for the 5150's.....we have a great set up for a 6" lift but not the 4". So here are the part numbers that we would recommend for factory duals. For the 4" w/ factory duals use 5100 Series (standard position) 24-185523 & (Auxillery) 24-186513. For the 5150's on a 6" lift use (standard position) 25-186291 & (Auxillery) 25-101966. When using the 5150's, please remember that you need to purchase the stem mount, part#192228.

A single 5160 would also be a great choice.....it will yeild a more compliant, softer ride then either of dual setups....with that said, it will be a little soft when pushed hard. For a single 5160 in the standard location, use part# 25-177497 for a 4" Lift and part# 25-177473 for a 6 lift.
 
#13 ·
I really like the idea of having something that will bolt right onto my stock shock tower, but I do want to have something that will still perform well for the money. If I go with the 5160's in front and 5150's out back, then it will be the same as dual 5150's up front, or even a single 2.5 foa. although with the FOA I will have to build a shock tower. I will be mostly streeting it and I will be installing a 6" procomp drop bracket that I will be beefing up the drop brackets as well so I am completely lost on what route I should go with shocks. My limit on shocks total for all 4 corners is roughly about 600 per the wifey.
 
#18 ·
I hate to dig this up again...and maybe I missed it even though I've read this thread several times.....

For the 6" lift (or "around" 6 inch lift using Deaver J40s), what part number 5150 will I need for the rear?

I'm hoping that between new Deavers (replacing Superlift coils and stock rear leaves w/blocks) and some Bilstein 5150s, my truck will no longer ride like a covered wagon.

I mean, this isn't my first lifted 'wheeler...I come from the Jeep world....but damn this thing rides like shit from the combo of stiff springs, worn out factory springs with a block and some shitty worn out Superlift shocks.

Anyways, if anybody knows that part number for the rear 5150s (for a 6" lift), could you please post 'em?

Thank you, and this place is always a wealth of good info.
 
#22 ·
The only problem you would run into, which could be a pretty bad problem, would be bottoming them out. Even on the street you might be able to bottom them out. If you get a lift make sure you don't waste your time and effort and get some extended radius arms! They are worth it in the long run for sure! Read some of the budget buildups in the broncospeed section if you are are working on a tight budget.
 
#23 ·
Im no specialist but I run a tuff country bracket set with deaver F64C's and single 8.5" Travel | 255/70 | 5150's with JKS eyelet adapters. Even with the 8.5 travel shocks I get about 10.5 to 11.5 wheel travel with short arms. They ride amazing also and even with jumping the truck (with the 4.9 and the winch added more weight than a more common v8) and I've yet to bottom the 5150s
 
#26 ·
How would 10" FOA 2" resi coilovers with a single spring mounted in the rear shock bracket on the radius arm work? They would be closer to 12" travel back there and are only 500 or so with coils. They would also fit under the shock coil bucket making mounting them much simpler.
 
#29 ·
bilstein 5165 rear valving with j40 deavers? front single?

im wanting to run the bikstein 5165 shocks rear with deaver j40s right now i have 11" travel white body doesch techs and front is skyjacker 6" doesch techs, i wana go to a single in front but idk what valving to get considering i have an extra 500 lbs up front cuz of the cummins, im also gunna do the bronco air stud mount elininator bracket up front, truck is a daily/tow rig wheeling 5 or 6 timea a year on mostly tock crawling conditions
 
#31 ·
Oh, and forgot to mention. If you want custom valving, be prepared to wait 6-8 weeks. I got 360/80 for the front and 275/78 for the rear. Bilstien had them in stock and got to my door in 4 days. I bought the last two 14" travel schraeder's, more won't be available for 6 weeks. They had a few of the reservoir shocks though.
 
#33 ·
Sorry about bringing back an old thread but I am looking at getting the superflex 5.5" kit from JBG and was wondering what part numbers I would need to consider for the Bilstein shocks. I assume dual 5100 series would be ideal but not positive. Any insight you can provide?
 
#34 ·
By dual 5100's do you mean 2 per side? If so, that seems like a waste of money. You could get a single 5165 or 7100 for the same or less money, have it valved for your application and be better off. I have only driven mine once since I installed the 5165's and all I can say is wow.. They are amazing. :thumbup I went with 360/80 valving in the front of my 78.
 
#36 · (Edited)
Yes, 4 5100 series shocks is what I meant but I don't mind exposing that I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject. What is the best way to determine the numbers that are best for your application (e.g. Travel, collapsed, extended, valving)
Those four are critical when choosing the shocks you want. The spring rate you have on your coils and leafs will also play into what you want. Looking back you are getting stiff springs (superlift) that are intended to do one thing. That is to elevate your Bronco 4" or 6". There are other lifts out there that will provide you with a lift and also provide you with a nice ride.

http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin...s/pdfs/BILSTEIN_Off-Road_catalog_2015_web.pdf
 
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