Bilstein 5100's Installed
 

Just thought I'd let you all know I got my new shocks put on at the 1" lift setting. What a difference! Not only does it look better, but I am amazed at how my truck holds the road now.

I have 56K on my truck and the factory shocks took about about as much pressure as putting on a pair of socks in the morning to move in and out. (Surprising considering 70% of my driving is highway)

I do a fair amount of hauling & towing around, so that influenced my decision not to go to the 2" lift setting.

I can tell you that my ride is more firm and I do feel the road slightly more, but these shocks do eat up most of the holes in the road. They keep my truck from rocking in turns, reduced the front diving & rear lift at hard stops. Corners are most speeds are now effortless!

I didn't realize my shocks were as bad as they were! I don't know if this is true, but my truck seems to be quieter now.. It's strange.

Anyhow, I got a measurements before and after I had the front shocks put on. I got just under 1.75" of lift using the 1" lift setting. (Measured from the ground through the center of the wheel to the fender. I don't get why a 1" lift gives more than advertised, but I measured twice before and after and it is true.)

Edit.. Just under 1.5" of lift in the front with the 1" setting. I didn't have the measurements in front of me when typing this...

Well I guess I'll be the first one to say...

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...without_pi.gif

:lol:

Sound like a great shock! I need new shocks on my truck, as well as new tires. I had planned on 36" or 37" tires, with coilovers when these tires were shot, but the guy I sold it to (and bought it back from) ignored the alignment and ruined these tires. I figured I could get the Bilstein leveling shock and set them up higher, then get my taller tires after all (I have a Pro Comp lift that uses stock length shocks). I can always buy my coilovers down the road. Any pictures?

I'll post some pics soon..

Both rear shocks on my truck didn't even take as much pressure as pulling up your socks! One was leaking and both could be compressed with your pinky, and they collapsed fast? Roughly 42k miles.

X2, the Bilsteins are great. What a difference.

Congrats!

My shocks where gone at 28k, 5100`s where a great replacement.

FWIW, those stock shocks with virtually zero resistance were that way when they were new. I always replace my stock Ford shocks at 500 miles or less. They my friends are GARBAGE from day one.

You'll be pleased with those Bilsteins for many miles. I've got 64K on mine and they feel as good today as the day they were installed. Best choice by far.

not to steal this thread, i am going to have my front shocks put on next week. if i want it to be at the stock height does the clip go on the lower setting? thanks:beers:

I got the same shock (1" adjustment) for the same reason but have not installed yet waiting for new tires. Good to hear you are happy with the 5100's.

I have 108K miles and still pass the bounce test. I can stand on either bumper and bounce up and down and I can barely make my truck bounce 1 time. I have traveled coast to coast 2 times with the bed loaded to the top of the cap with luggage so how do you know when the shocks are bad...until you change them?

Is there a more accurate test?

Maybe your shocks are factory freaks.

For roughly 1 year prior to me changing my shocks I found the back end too bouncy. I was starting to wonder if that was the way it was supposed to ride, and I wasn't liking it. No wonder.

Amen!

Maybe they are factory freaks.
I never slow down for speed bumps, have driven a healthy amount of off road miles at moderate speeds, load a fair amount of heavy tools at times, tow and average of every other month.

I weigh 205 and im physically active and it's hard to bounce my truck from either end. Im just changing them because I have 5 years and +100K miles...and want to make it ride better with 20's.
X3:beers:

There are directions in the box, but yes the shocks come setup with the clip on the top at the 2" setting. The middle is 1" and the bottom is the stock setting.

What the heck are you guys talking about ???
 

I mean, about the thread being useless without pics ???

IMPO, this happens to be one thread where "pics would be basically useless". I mean, you can't see the shocks unless you climb under the truck anyway. People don't buy shocks for looks. If you want to see a set of Bilstein 5100's, go to their website.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anyway yes, I got my 5100's within the first week of buying my brand new 08'. Slapped them on with the 2" lift setting and wow ! What a difference ! And that was even when comparing them to the brand new factory shocks !

Oh, so you guys want a pic ? Okay.... check my sig. The shocks are behind my wheels. Trust me, they look great ! :-)

Peace,
Fish

I had them installed too, with my HBS 2.5" level. I took pictures, lol.

http://intheknud.com/newtruck/IMG_0505.JPG

http://intheknud.com/newtruck/IMG_0504.JPG