I was always under the impression that the regular 5100's were pretty much just longer HD's (4600's).
CK5
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91 Suburban V2500 - Tow/Weekend Rig - Build Thread
- Thread starter dhcomp
- Start date
Really? Can anyone back this up?
I just remember that being the word from when they first came out 8-10 years ago or whenever it was.
Can't say I've ever owned some though. Just regular HD's.
Whacha doing with the old Bilsteins?
Can't say I've ever owned some though. Just regular HD's.
Whacha doing with the old Bilsteins?
I just remember that being the word from when they first came out 8-10 years ago or whenever it was.
Can't say I've ever owned some though. Just regular HD's.
Whacha doing with the old Bilsteins?
I'm selling them to you, so you can get rid of those Delco's and put some real shocks on your Blazer. I love these shocks, they made all the difference in the world on the ride of this truck.
Have to check records on how many miles they have on them, but i am VERY picky when it comes to shock performance/wear, and these function like new.
Shoot me a PM.
A little motivation.....
My parents 1990 V2500 Suburban, brand new in 1989.
They sold it when I was 15, and I never forgot it.
EDIT: And, i just noticed, the picture is taken in front of the same house as my User picture on the left with my 91. Check out the age of the trees.....
My parents 1990 V2500 Suburban, brand new in 1989.
They sold it when I was 15, and I never forgot it.
EDIT: And, i just noticed, the picture is taken in front of the same house as my User picture on the left with my 91. Check out the age of the trees.....
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Damn that was a pretty truck!
Ok, got the shocks measured and ordered.
Compressed/extended measurements were a little tricky (easier if i had disconnected the current shocks the first time
) but it seems my rear AND front travel was shock limited.
Glad i measured, and based the order off that.
Ended up going with the 4" lift fronts, and 6" lift rears.
Fronts - Bilstein 5100 #24-187077 13.66"-21.62"
Rears - Bilstein 5100 #33-185569 17.91"-29.70"
And, my old ones are going to AJM.
Good progress. Would be even better if I hadn't bent my tierod being an idiot....
Compressed/extended measurements were a little tricky (easier if i had disconnected the current shocks the first time
) but it seems my rear AND front travel was shock limited. Glad i measured, and based the order off that.
Ended up going with the 4" lift fronts, and 6" lift rears.
Fronts - Bilstein 5100 #24-187077 13.66"-21.62"
Rears - Bilstein 5100 #33-185569 17.91"-29.70"
And, my old ones are going to AJM.
Good progress. Would be even better if I hadn't bent my tierod being an idiot....
Ordered through AJUSA originally, but they weren't able to ship them all for about a week. Ended up canceling the order, and am picking them up local tomorrow. Its costing me about $20 more to pick them up at 4WP, but its worth that to me to get them quick.
AJUSA was very responsive, helpful, and understanding....and as soon as I can come up with some cash for much needed shocks for my DD, they will be my first choice if they can be competitive.
AJUSA was very responsive, helpful, and understanding....and as soon as I can come up with some cash for much needed shocks for my DD, they will be my first choice if they can be competitive.
good to hear about the shocks, not so good about the tie-rod, wtf did you do?
Sometimes, when i'm in a hurry, i lift the truck in sketchy ways as long as the wheels are on it. If i drop it 3", and i'm not planning to be under it, it will land on its wheels, and not hurt a thing.
Well, trying to get a compressed length for the front shocks, my jack wouldn't go high enough. Lifted it with a block on the jack pad, and when it spit the block out, the die rod landed on the jack
Didn't hit very hard, and didnt' bend much, but enough i had to straighten it. Was able to take it off and use a highlift and some chain to straighten it.
So...shocks. Installed the 5100's. They are waaaayyy too soft. Way softer than my 4600's were.
In touch with 4wp, we're going to talk to bilstein before we swap them out, but thinking i'll go to the 5125's with the 255 valving instead of the 170 or whatever.
Surprised that these are softer...probably designed for stiffer lift springs. Softer shocks + worn out stock springs = no bueno.
And, its stumbling under low throttle now.
The saga continues....
Ok, thing the stumbling is a bad egr solenoid Again. So sick of cheap Kragen sensors, who cares if they are lifetime warranty if they only last a year... Gotta remember I only bought those in college when I was cheap. No more.
Took the truck out to Carnegie, and played a little. Their 4x4 area is really small, but Good to get to drive it. Ran good, new shocks lengths were good, just too soft for my on road taste. Going to get that handled today.
And, the 14FF gov lock worked flawlessly. Glad i held out for a gov lock one. Considering i wasn't 100% sure i even had one, i was glad to have it work properly.
Took the truck out to Carnegie, and played a little. Their 4x4 area is really small, but Good to get to drive it. Ran good, new shocks lengths were good, just too soft for my on road taste. Going to get that handled today.
And, the 14FF gov lock worked flawlessly. Glad i held out for a gov lock one. Considering i wasn't 100% sure i even had one, i was glad to have it work properly.
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man i cant wait to have mine back together...
ccarley
1/2 ton status
I had some time during lunch to check out this thread. Nice Suburban :-)
As for your shocks... I have a set of 5100's for the front (4 inch lift), that I always felt were to stiff. I ended up with some 7100's and softer valving, but still I think it's like 255; 170 is like for duals. If you want to try these, shoot me an email. I also happen to have a set of 4" pro-comp springs, if you are looking for stiff LOL!
Clay
As for your shocks... I have a set of 5100's for the front (4 inch lift), that I always felt were to stiff. I ended up with some 7100's and softer valving, but still I think it's like 255; 170 is like for duals. If you want to try these, shoot me an email. I also happen to have a set of 4" pro-comp springs, if you are looking for stiff LOL!
Clay
Sometimes, when i'm in a hurry, i lift the truck in sketchy ways as long as the wheels are on it. If i drop it 3", and i'm not planning to be under it, it will land on its wheels, and not hurt a thing.
Well, trying to get a compressed length for the front shocks, my jack wouldn't go high enough. Lifted it with a block on the jack pad, and when it spit the block out, the die rod landed on the jack
Didn't hit very hard, and didnt' bend much, but enough i had to straighten it. Was able to take it off and use a highlift and some chain to straighten it.
So...shocks. Installed the 5100's. They are waaaayyy too soft. Way softer than my 4600's were.
In touch with 4wp, we're going to talk to bilstein before we swap them out, but thinking i'll go to the 5125's with the 255 valving instead of the 170 or whatever.
Surprised that these are softer...probably designed for stiffer lift springs. Softer shocks + worn out stock springs = no bueno.
And, its stumbling under low throttle now.
The saga continues....
Got off the phone with Bilstein, and basically, i'm a custom application, and they don't make anything to help me.
All i want is a longer shock with the same valving as the 4600's that i had, and apparently, that is a "custom application", as most people running stiffer lift springs need softer shocks, hence the soft 5100's.
Custom valving costs almost as much as the shocks do. They CAN valve a set of 5100's to match the valving of my old 4600's, but really, it ends up being 150+ a shock.
What next? Plan was to get this thing rolling for the long weekend
Had i not already shipped my old ones to AJM, I could have modified the rear shock mounts, but really, they would still be on the short side.
Justin at 4wp has been VERY helpful, but the Bilstein rep I talked to was not....
If i could figure out the valving on the 4600's, i could see what else on the market compares....but not that many mfg's give valving charts.
All i want is a longer shock with the same valving as the 4600's that i had, and apparently, that is a "custom application", as most people running stiffer lift springs need softer shocks, hence the soft 5100's.
Custom valving costs almost as much as the shocks do. They CAN valve a set of 5100's to match the valving of my old 4600's, but really, it ends up being 150+ a shock
.What next? Plan was to get this thing rolling for the long weekend
Had i not already shipped my old ones to AJM, I could have modified the rear shock mounts, but really, they would still be on the short side.
Justin at 4wp has been VERY helpful, but the Bilstein rep I talked to was not....
If i could figure out the valving on the 4600's, i could see what else on the market compares....but not that many mfg's give valving charts.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Maybe those adjustable MX6 shocks?
Cheaper than re valving the bilsteins! Going to wait until Justin at 4wp is back to work tomorrow, going to chat with him then and get his input.
Talked to another Bilstein rep, he is looking into creative options.
In the mean time, it dawned on me to check what the 4600 application length is for the K30's, as they had the longer shock mount i'm using. When looking at the 5100's, the part number listed as a 4" for a blazer or burb is listed at a 2" for the K30.
Anyone know where to find the compressed and extended lengths for the bilstein 4600 HD shocks?
Essentailly, I seem to be looking for "on road" shock ride, with custom longer lengths, and that is where i'm running into issues. After driving the truck with the 5100's on the street, i'm VERY surprised at all you guys running them on the street.
In the mean time, it dawned on me to check what the 4600 application length is for the K30's, as they had the longer shock mount i'm using. When looking at the 5100's, the part number listed as a 4" for a blazer or burb is listed at a 2" for the K30.
Anyone know where to find the compressed and extended lengths for the bilstein 4600 HD shocks?
Essentailly, I seem to be looking for "on road" shock ride, with custom longer lengths, and that is where i'm running into issues. After driving the truck with the 5100's on the street, i'm VERY surprised at all you guys running them on the street.
Are you running the quad shocks in the front or just one on each corner? I think the 170 valving is for the quad set-up. You could try adding the additional shock just to see what it rides like.
