What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Good Shock Replacement?

jeff in co

jeff in co

1/2 ton status
 Premium
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Posts
2,198
Reaction score
446
Location
Colorado Springs
4WheelParts has some Bilstein 5100's for $299 or some Skyjacker Nito's for $163 and a $35 mail in rebate.

Read a lot of good things on the Bilsteins....specifically the 5125's. Are these the same as the 5100's?

Trying to control my 4" lift and 35's better. Are the Bilstein's that much better?
 
I replaced some Rancho's with Bilstiens on my 89 Blazer with 4 inch lift. They made a HUGE difference in ride, rebound etc. I got the set for lifted vehicles. I just bought a set for my Dodge 4x4, just as impressed.
 
jeff in co said:
4WheelParts has some Bilstein 5100's for $299 or some Skyjacker Nito's for $163 and a $35 mail in rebate.

Read a lot of good things on the Bilsteins....specifically the 5125's. Are these the same as the 5100's?

Trying to control my 4" lift and 35's better. Are the Bilstein's that much better?
Click to expand...

I have the Bilsetin HD's, and they freaking rock. The 5100's will be very close.

100% worth the money. The ride/handling of my truck vs. the cheapo's that were on there is night and day. Buy them, and never look back.
 
dhcomp said:
I have the Bilsetin HD's, and they freaking rock. The 5100's will be very close.

100% worth the money. The ride/handling of my truck vs. the cheapo's that were on there is night and day. Buy them, and never look back.
Click to expand...

That's kinda what I figured....thanks! The ones on the truck now have almost 250k on them (Rancho RS5000's).
 
jeff in co said:
That's kinda what I figured....thanks! The ones on the truck now have almost 250k on them (Rancho RS5000's).
Click to expand...


250k? Pretty sure you might as well not have shocks. Currently, they are probably just keeping your shock bolts from rattling.
 
dhcomp said:
250k? Pretty sure you might as well not have shocks. Currently, they are probably just keeping your shock bolts from rattling.
Click to expand...

Yea.....they're moving all over the place! I wrote a nice letter to Rancho asking if they would replace under warranty (without receipt) but never heard back. :dunno: Worth a shot I guess.

I still think from all the comments the Bilsteins would be MUCH better than the RS-5000's anyways.
 
I still think from all the comments the Bilsteins would be MUCH better than the RS-5000's anyways.[/quote]


If you found USED Bilsteins they would be better than brand new rs-500s:waytogo:
 
I have a 1987 GMC Jimmy with 6" lift and 35" tires. I just replaced my shocks with Skyjacker Nitro 8000s. They ride a little stiffer than I like. I should have probably went with the Skyjacker Hydros. Money was the deciding factor for me. I will eventually have Bilsteins.
 
I haven't ran any Bilstiens....yet. If you want to look into cheaper alternatives I would favor Gabriel shocks over Monroe, nice, cheap, and soft:waytogo:
 
Bilstein 5125's are my short list.......along with Ford shock towers and a 5100 series stabilizer for the 3"/33 setup i'm doing soon.

this leads me to believe the shocks are the same just that the 5125's are for custom applications as opposed to pre speced to certain applications.
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/lifted-truck-off-road/5100-series-shocks.html

but this brochure gives a different information. http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_us/pdfs/Bil_OR_shocks_bro.pdf

call Bilstein to find out for sure.
 
Last edited:
bailey9r said:
If you found USED Bilsteins they would be better than brand new rs-500s:waytogo:
Click to expand...
Quoted for truth. Rancho shocks SUCK! Especially the RS5000's. JUNK!

Big fan of Bilstein shocks. May still get a set of HD's (HD = the stock vehicle line) for The Blazer.

That said, I'm also a big fan of the Heckethorn/Rough Country Nitro 9000's. For $35 or so each from JCWhitney they are great shocks.:waytogo: Nitrogen charged monotubes where all the other lift companies use twin tubes and all sell the same rebadged junk. In my unqualified opinion they're about 75-80% the performance of the Bilsteins at half the price.
 
That said, I'm also a big fan of the Heckethorn/Rough Country Nitro 9000's. For $35 or so each from JCWhitney they are great shocks.:waytogo: Nitrogen charged monotubes where all the other lift companies use twin tubes and all sell the same rebadged junk. In my unqualified opinion they're about 75-80% the performance of the Bilsteins at half the price.
Click to expand...

Hmm. Interesting...
 
would I get the 5100's with a 6in lift? Jeff, let us know how they work out. My truck is stiff as hell with new Skyjacker nitro's and I want to change.
 
You'd need to figure out the part number for the shocks that fit with that much lift. Calling Bilstein's tech number should answer your questions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom