Mopar 2" Lift - Fox vs. Bilstein Shocks

[tysongladiator]

I had the Mopar 2" lift and had no issues at all with daily driving or wheeling. Did great on both. Suspension did great and shocks did great. I replaced the shocks earlier this year with Bilstein 5100s and just recently went to a MC 3.5" for more clearance. Don't know about the Bilstein with the reservoir though.

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[OHJeeper]

I had the Mopar 2" lift and had no issues at all with daily driving or wheeling. Did great on both. Suspension did great and shocks did great. I replaced the shocks earlier this year with Bilstein 5100s and just recently went to a MC 3.5" for more clearance. Don't know about the Bilstein with the reservoir though.

What's your opinion on the 5100's? I am thinking of switching out my Fox's from the MOPAR kit. Also, did you go with the 3-4.5" lift version or the shorter ones? It looks like the measurements of the 3-4.5" version (compressed, extended, travel) are very similar to the Fox ones from the kit.

To clarify, I meant before you went with the bigger lift - when you still had the MOPAR springs on.

 

[JTGuy]

I am beginning tithing that my suspension is never really done. Constant change and "improvement". The bottomless pit of fun. I am about to pull the trigger on some Accutune Fox 2.5s with remote res and adjustable. The will give me a 1 inch longer travel and require my new rear brake lines.

 

[DanW]

I am beginning tithing that my suspension is never really done. Constant change and "improvement". The bottomless pit of fun. I am about to pull the trigger on some Accutune Fox 2.5s with remote res and adjustable. The will give me a 1 inch longer travel and require my new rear brake lines.

There's one way to finish a Jeep suspension. Buy another Jeep! Lol! Since I bought the Gladiator, I've left my JL alone!

 

[JTGuy]

I have thought of a LJ just to build as a trail beater. But it's easier to buy one already built.

 

[tysongladiator]

What's your opinion on the 5100's? I am thinking of switching out my Fox's from the MOPAR kit. Also, did you go with the 3-4.5" lift version or the shorter ones? It looks like the measurements of the 3-4.5" version (compressed, extended, travel) are very similar to the Fox ones from the kit.

To clarify, I meant before you went with the bigger lift - when you still had the MOPAR springs on.

I feel like the 5100s are more responsive, but stiffer as well. I can feel a lot of the imperfections of the road. As far as wheeling (because they are more responsive), the suspension reacts quicker to obstacles and flexing. So, sometimes I can get through and obstacle a little easier. If that makes sense.

When I had the Mopar lift, I went with the 1.5"-2.5" shocks. Now, because of the MC 3.5" lift, I have to use shock extensions to keep from buying new shocks. One day I'll upgrade to longer shocks and may move to reservoir shocks.

Now looking back, I wish I would have taken measurements for future reference. One day, I'll take one off and measure it because I do have the measurements of the Mopar shocks and rubicon shocks. I have to put on the outboard shock relocators next week, so I might measure them then and repost with a few measurements.

 

[OHJeeper]

I feel like the 5100s are more responsive, but stiffer as well. I can feel a lot of the imperfections of the road. As far as wheeling (because they are more responsive), the suspension reacts quicker to obstacles and flexing. So, sometimes I can get through and obstacle a little easier. If that makes sense.

When I had the Mopar lift, I went with the 1.5"-2.5" shocks. Now, because of the MC 3.5" lift, I have to use shock extensions to keep from buying new shocks. One day I'll upgrade to longer shocks and may move to reservoir shocks.

Now looking back, I wish I would have taken measurements for future reference. One day, I'll take one off and measure it because I do have the measurements of the Mopar shocks and rubicon shocks. I have to put on the outboard shock relocators next week, so I might measure them then and repost with a few measurements.

Great info - thanks!

 

[djdannis]

So if I already have the Mopar 2" lift with the Fox shocks, can I just switch to these Bilstein p/ns and add the remote reservoir brackets to be the same as this kit? Or do I need to buy an entire kit because something else is different as well? Has anyone compared p/ns between the two kits? Thanks

 

[Ericshere03]

Thanks for the information and detailed images about the new updated Bilstein shocks …

however!

there is not enough information to determine all the specifications. What would be of most use is measuring the shocks, eye to eye (center of the eyes). Doing this with the shocks fully extended and then again fully compressed. And finally as a double check, measure the exposed shaft with the shock fully extended.

The previous Fox shocks were severely compromised in travel, though they were lengthened in the body, the shift was a stick-ish length providing about 8 inches of travel. Whereas the after market Fox shocks with similar compressed lengths have much longer extended lengths, so more travel, about another 2 inches.

the 5160 shocks that the new kit seems to be based of usually provide A LOT of travel for a certain compressed length. On my TJ I have a from shock with 11.5” of travel with a shock that compressed to 15.5” … on the JL 17” front compressed shocks have about 12.25” of travel!!!

travel isn’t everything, but the large amount of travel really the the suspension capacity to absorb more energy…

 

[Vtur]

Thanks for the information and detailed images about the new updated Bilstein shocks …

however!

there is not enough information to determine all the specifications. What would be of most use is measuring the shocks, eye to eye (center of the eyes). Doing this with the shocks fully extended and then again fully compressed. And finally as a double check, measure the exposed shaft with the shock fully extended.

The previous Fox shocks were severely compromised in travel, though they were lengthened in the body, the shift was a stick-ish length providing about 8 inches of travel. Whereas the after market Fox shocks with similar compressed lengths have much longer extended lengths, so more travel, about another 2 inches.

the 5160 shocks that the new kit seems to be based of usually provide A LOT of travel for a certain compressed length. On my TJ I have a from shock with 11.5” of travel with a shock that compressed to 15.5” … on the JL 17” front compressed shocks have about 12.25” of travel!!!

travel isn’t everything, but the large amount of travel really the the suspension capacity to absorb more energy…

Yup. My 5160s has the same compressed lenght as stock rubicon shocks. Meaning one can run lift springs without the needs for bump stop spacers and be a flex monster on stock 33s tires. It also has longer extended lenght as well.

 

[Ericshere03]

Yup. My 5160s has the same compressed lenght as stock rubicon shocks. Meaning one can run lift springs without the needs for bump stop spacers and be a flex monster on stock 33s tires. It also has longer extended lenght as well.

Yea, they’re about 17.25” compressed which is perfect for the rear and front of a diesel. For gas you’d need about a 1.25-1.5” bumpstop spacer … although always good to cycle your suspension and measure.

 

[The DB]

The main shock appears to be just a hair over 21 inches long while compressed, total. Actual shock tube is roughly 16.5" long:

The length of the primary shock is approximately also 21" long, and the tube itself is a little less than 16.5" collapsed:

The data from Billstein's web site for the 3 - 4.5 lifts (their longest shocks for the gladiator) eye to eye:
5160 front:
compressed length: 17.56 inches
extended length: 29.38
5160 rear:
compressed length: 17.19
extended length: 29.38

5100 front:
compressed length: 18.52
extended length: 28.76
5100 rear:
compressed length: 18.33
extended length: 29.38

So either those springs are not fully compressed (hard to confirm with the boot on the shocks) or those shocks are not the same as the ones Billstein advertise on their web site for the Gladiator


The DB

 

[Ericshere03]

The data from Billstein's web site for the 3 - 4.5 lifts (their longest shocks for the gladiator) eye to eye:
5160 front:
compressed length: 17.56 inches
extended length: 29.38
5160 rear:
compressed length: 17.19
extended length: 29.38

5100 front:
compressed length: 18.52
extended length: 28.76
5100 rear:
compressed length: 18.33
extended length: 29.38

So either those springs are not fully compressed (hard to confirm with the boot on the shocks) or those shocks are not the same as the ones Billstein advertise on their web site for the Gladiator


The DB

The shocks in the kit are not Bilstein 5160, they’re made to Mopar specifications based off of a 5160… since Mopar doesn’t publish their “specifications”, we don’t know without measuring … there is no guarantee that the Mopar Bilsteins and the Bilstein 5160 match in anyway-shape-or-form …

the measurements you quoted are shocks that are mid stroke, there’s a strap holding them in a “shipping position”. They’re not fully compressed nor fully extended. So the image doesn’t really tell us anything of value.

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