Bilstein 5100

[bd100]

"Better ride" is subjective. I recently installed the Bilstein 5100s and consider them stiffer, more like a sports car. Better in stiffness and handling, and no multi-bounce when hit a bump. Better for evasive maneuvers, carving canyons, carrying heavy loads, and towing. But you feel more of the small bumps.

Other people would prefer "smoother" as in not feeling the bumps so much, even if they might bounce a little more as a result. This might be better for blasting through washboard roads and such.

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[Kirk*Mojave]

Had a set of 5100s on a f150 and the ride was better than factory I thought

 

[MCATDT]

I have been a big Bilstein fan since I put on my AEV lift. I have often compared the ride to feeling like a german vehicle (highly damped and a feeling of more control when turning and manuevering). Not sure how different the AEV versions are as they are supposedly valved to match the springs in the dual sport lift so can't promise you will have the same experience with the stock springs.

 

[jc1986]

I installed the 5100s when I put my lift together. They are better on road for sure. Less head bobbing and actually made long drives less fatiguing. Offroad I have enjoyed the controlled posture they have. I still get good flex out of the suspension with a more controlled response coming off a rock or ledge. I’m a fan for the price point but I also have always had old man emu suspensions on my vehicles.

 

[Uparms]

Im about to pull the trigger on replacing my fox 2.0s.

I found these bilstein 5100s and im pretty sure they're the "right" ones. but would like to be sure.

https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...AmsKYlZdlzsQfQNYbwZ7gl6oF2u5Iw91WSQXCPSE-Gg3E

I have a 2in spacer lift and my current fox shocks are for a 2in lift. So im thinking these should fit.

Im also beating around the idea of the falcon shocks but the price difference is staggering.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/terafle...s-jeep-gladiator-jt/monotube-14-02-21-400-200

You are towing a big travel trailer too??? Big to most of us JTs.

 

[Uparms]

I installed the 5100s when I put my lift together. They are better on road for sure. Less head bobbing and actually made long drives less fatiguing. Offroad I have enjoyed the controlled posture they have. I still get good flex out of the suspension with a more controlled response coming off a rock or ledge. I’m a fan for the price point but I also have always had old man emu suspensions on my vehicles.

And still no OME listed for JT out on ARBs page..... just checked again 2 days ago.

 

[jc1986]

And still no OME listed for JT out on ARBs page..... just checked again 2 days ago.

Such a missed opportunity for them. The jt seems like a perfect setup for what that brand is about, but I don’t know if the numbers are there for them.

 

[toddarama]

ive seen and read of them lasting 75,000+ miles.

Prior to my JT I had a 2009 F150. At around 30k miles I replaced the stock shocks with 5100's. The same 5100's were still on the truck when I traded it in with 118k miles on it. The ride was still great - good enough that it wasn't until reading this thread that I even realized how many miles I had on them. I never felt any need to replace them and I generally have a good mix of all types of driving from logging roads and light off road to highway miles.

 

[Uparms]

Doesn't heppen much but funny how some big Jeep supply house don't' sell some specific brands. I always wonder if it is a manufacturer or supply house decision/enforcement/exclusion.

 

[Newlife]

Currently run 5100’s with my Clayton 3.5 overland plus lift. I bought them as a bandaid until falcon had replenished inventory but after having them for a while I’m holding off on replacing them until they go. Surprisingly they ride a ton better than the factory foxes and aev 2” spacer I had. And with my constant weight of rack, tent, drawer, and fridge it’s not bad at all. No more bouncing all around in the rear even loaded.

 

[Gren71]

I installed the 5100s when I put my lift together. They are better on road for sure. Less head bobbing and actually made long drives less fatiguing. Offroad I have enjoyed the controlled posture they have. I still get good flex out of the suspension with a more controlled response coming off a rock or ledge. I’m a fan for the price point but I also have always had old man emu suspensions on my vehicles.

I had OME stuff on my last two jeeps and loved their products. If I wasn't all about MPG and towing id be running whatever I could from them.

 

[Gren71]

You are towing a big travel trailer too??? Big to most of us JTs.

Yep!

Bullet 250BHS
30ft
6,000lbs (give or take depending on what we bring)
700lbs of tongue weight

Thankfully I have the max tow package and dont put any extra heavy bits on the JT (accept my own giggle) so I dont over load the cargo capacity.

cant wait for our first trip of the season in the beginning of april

 

[chorky]

This wasn’t my experience, but I do know quite a few people like them/run them. They were soft and bouncy for me. I don’t have much weight, ~125 pounds both front and rear. Couldn’t deal with them after a while and didn’t want to go Fox 2.5 or 3.0 if they were gonna be similar. Digressive is a much better option for my likes.

I have not really been in the know of details of shocks - so you mention of "digressive' had me do some reading.

https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving/

This could be helpful to some folks. I found it interesting.

 

[Gren71]

I have not really been in the know of details of shocks - so you mention of "digressive' had me do some reading.

https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving/

This could be helpful to some folks. I found it interesting.

haha I also had to give that a google. Part of what I like about this forum is there's often someone who knows something I dont.

 

[badger719]

Hey, I run the Bilstein 5100s on my JT. I've been happy with them so far. I don't tow very much but I do have a GFC shell plus hundreds of pounds of camping gear in the bed so the firmer ride on the 5100s doesn't bother me much.

The reason why the Bilstein 5100s are cheaper is because they're steel-bodied shocks. This means they start out more firm and become bouncier over heavy trail type usage. They take longer to dissipate heat than the aluminum ones (Fox, Falcon, etc). Most guys prefer the 5100s for highway driving for this reason but they seem to do okay off road.

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