Bilstein Coilovers
04-10-2014, 12:54 PM
#21
Well, I don't believe they are ****ty as I've been on a pair of them for over a year now. They are great and work way better than any alternative in that price range.
As an informed consumer, I am fully aware that the coil overs from F150lifts.com use the 5100's. I did extensive research and I've come to the conclusion that people that are having problems with the 5100's seem to have pushed them past their design limits offroading.
Just for the record, there aren't "so many people having issues" with them, there has been a handful of the thousands sold and in use. Like I said, everyone I've seen has been on a truck that has the undercarriage beat and filthy and most has failed offroad.
Know what you want to do, Iwant a level and have it look nice. I don't plan on beating my $30,000 truck offroad as I have a Jeep for that.
If you want to play offroad then pony up for the big dollar suspension and do it right.
As an informed consumer, I am fully aware that the coil overs from F150lifts.com use the 5100's. I did extensive research and I've come to the conclusion that people that are having problems with the 5100's seem to have pushed them past their design limits offroading.
Just for the record, there aren't "so many people having issues" with them, there has been a handful of the thousands sold and in use. Like I said, everyone I've seen has been on a truck that has the undercarriage beat and filthy and most has failed offroad.
Know what you want to do, Iwant a level and have it look nice. I don't plan on beating my $30,000 truck offroad as I have a Jeep for that.
If you want to play offroad then pony up for the big dollar suspension and do it right.
I have two friends that did not post the issues online. that was enough for me to pass on them before even seeing the thread on here.
first one the top shaft (where the nuts threads on to hold the spring) broke completely off. leaving the spring free from the shock
second one had the same issue with the bottom of the shock breaking.
both those trucks are pavement queens (albeit our roads are close to donkey paths)
Pushing them past their design limit is a BS excuse. no one is jumping their truck 5 feet in the air with 5100s. The worst thing that should happen if you pushed limits of 5100s is internal damage and a blown shock. Not PHYSICAL shock damage.
Last edited by schissler; 04-10-2014 at 12:58 PM.
04-10-2014, 02:22 PM
#22
I would agree with this... I broke one of my Bilsteins at the lower mount and I sure wasn't doing any jumping with mine. It is what it is though, a lot of people seem to do fine with them.
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GotHonks? (04-20-2014)
04-10-2014, 05:40 PM
#23
Senior Member
people also have problems with them and dont post it on the internet so i guarantee you have no idea how many issue they really have. all your basing this on is what you see in a thread. I have two friends that did not post the issues online. that was enough for me to pass on them before even seeing the thread on here. first one the top shaft (where the nuts threads on to hold the spring) broke completely off. leaving the spring free from the shock second one had the same issue with the bottom of the shock breaking. both those trucks are pavement queens (albeit our roads are close to donkey paths) Pushing them past their design limit is a BS excuse. no one is jumping their truck 5 feet in the air with 5100s. The worst thing that should happen if you pushed limits of 5100s is internal damage and a blown shock. Not PHYSICAL shock damage.
Also, when I did my research, I went to google not just this site so I saw other manufactures with them on there and I came to the same conclusion, that people were putting them on and expected Baja 1000 performance out of a set of $300 shocks! Ain't gonna happen brother.
If you don't like them, that's fine but I would venture to say there are more people on here alone that run and like them vs people that have problems with them.
Are there defects, sure, all products have them.
Bottom line is I like them and will enjoy the F150lifts version just that much more.
04-10-2014, 05:45 PM
#24
Senior Member
Now I've had great success in the light offroading I've done. I've spent many miles on outer banks beaches without a hiccup. I did some spirited driving on the beach in some soft sand and it was fine for what I needed.
As I said, there could be defects but for the most parts you see the pics of rigs that have seen mud and the undercarriages are beat up looking.
I'm happy with mine, have many miles on mine and cant wait to try the F150lifts.com version.
You got the icons now right?
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RES4CUE (04-10-2014)
04-11-2014, 01:17 AM
#27
I see the bilstein breakage issue as a quality control issue. From a racing standpoint very few teams use bilsteins anymore because they experienced more failures happening. Back in the day (20-30 years ago) almost all race teams used bilsteins because they were the best but things change I guess. I have beaten the crap out of my bilsteins including jumping multiple times on them and going high speed offroad. Just my last offroad trip I was going down a long flat dirt road at about 50-60mph and took a gradual turn and right in front of me was 6 big whoops. I managed to get down to about 30-35mph but still hit those suckers hard, actually had whip lash in my neck the next day. But I didn't break the bilsteins (disclaimer: they are blown and leaking shock oil but that's a different point lol). It really seems like luck of the draw to me.
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RES4CUE (04-11-2014)
04-13-2014, 06:30 PM
#28
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Which notch levels a 04-08 guys, anyone know? Just bought an fx4 for my wife so she will stay out of mine and the nose plunge is killing me to look at. She doesnt need a lift, just levelled will make me happy. I dont want to use spacers and im not going as far as new coil overs... just hoping someone here knows the correct placement of the retainer to save me a second trip to the garage to borrow their compressor.
Thanks
Thanks
04-14-2014, 12:43 AM
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I appreciate everyone's input. I cancelled my order for the rear 5100s for the time being. In reality, I am comparing a $850 Bilstein coilover + rear setup against a entry level off-road package (Icon, Fox). I don't know what I am going to do yet, but once I get going with the truck this summer and see what I am going to use it for I am sure that will determine where I spend my money.
I definitely agree the Bilstein setup seems like a roadworthy upgrade if I stick it very light off-road conditions and such. Anything more and I need to look at saving a few pennies. I will start my build thread up shortly and include what I decide to do.
Thanks guys/gals!
I definitely agree the Bilstein setup seems like a roadworthy upgrade if I stick it very light off-road conditions and such. Anything more and I need to look at saving a few pennies. I will start my build thread up shortly and include what I decide to do.
Thanks guys/gals!
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RES4CUE (04-14-2014)