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Bilstein 5100's vs 5160's (rear)

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Old 04-29-2019, 03:11 PM
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Default Bilstein 5100's vs 5160's (rear)

I lifted my truck and had to take my 5100's off due to the amount of rear lift I added. I have found that the 4wd Bilsteins will fit my truck now. Looking around, I found the remote reservoir 5160's for a little more. Anyone have experience with both? I do take my truck off road, and I drive in the mountains on switchback roads a few times a year. Wondering if the 5160's are worth it over the 5100's
Old 04-29-2019, 04:49 PM
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I don't know if the two dampers are tuned differently, but just having the additional hydraulic oil is an improvement.

I'm about to toss a pair of 5160s onto the back of my truck (replacing two perfectly good 5100s) because I'm also installing 6112s up front (and replacing two more 5100s in the process).

I'm upgrading, if you will, because I've installed a heavier set of wheels and tires, and will spend more time off road this year.
Old 04-29-2019, 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Apples
I don't know if the two dampers are tuned differently, but just having the additional hydraulic oil is an improvement.

I'm about to toss a pair of 5160s onto the back of my truck (replacing two perfectly good 5100s) because I'm also installing 6112s up front (and replacing two more 5100s in the process).

I'm upgrading, if you will, because I've installed a heavier set of wheels and tires, and will spend more time off road this year.
I have all terrain tires and a lift myself. Just added the lift. Had the 5100's in the rear with the level. I'll be interested to hear how you like the 5160's vs the 5100's
Old 05-23-2019, 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Apples
I don't know if the two dampers are tuned differently, but just having the additional hydraulic oil is an improvement.

I'm about to toss a pair of 5160s onto the back of my truck (replacing two perfectly good 5100s) because I'm also installing 6112s up front (and replacing two more 5100s in the process).

I'm upgrading, if you will, because I've installed a heavier set of wheels and tires, and will spend more time off road this year.
Did you ever swap them out?

Ive got 5100's on now and dont like the ride.
Old 05-23-2019, 06:18 PM
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^ fronts or rear and what didn't you like? I just pulled icon 2.0 and put on my old 5100s on the rear. Looking at eibach or 5100 for the front to replace the icons coil overs
Old 05-23-2019, 08:00 PM
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I've heard most say the 5100s are a little stiff in the front, but great in the rear. I personally have stock in the front and 5100s in the rear and love it. I don't notice any harsher of a ride, just no more death hop from the back.
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Old 05-23-2019, 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by MarkUSAF
Did you ever swap them out?

Ive got 5100's on now and dont like the ride.

Not yet, had issues with a floor-mounted strut compressor I was trying to use. We waved off the attempt, and left the 5100s in there for now.

I do like the ride, but I also went back to my All/Terrains, the C-Load rated, thin, pliable, comfy sidewall and at 36 psi Cold Inflation Pressure. I've 5100s on the rear, too, and with the Roadmaster Active Suspension. I'm not trying to rub it in, but I love how my truck performs right now and how it goes down the road so nice. Tires/wheels are nice and light, and they're 31.6" diameter for better gearing.

I'm taking a road trip this summer to Montana (from Los Angeles) so I'll be leaving this setup and tires on the truck. When I get back, the next chance I get I'll throw the 6112/5160s with a full 2" lift up front, take the lowering shackles out of the rear, put the OE shackles back in and tune the Roadmaster preload to get 1/2" rake (barely noticeable). Then I'll put the 33" M/Ts back on. And re-gear.

Old 05-23-2019, 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Brokemillwright
^ fronts or rear and what didn't you like? I just pulled icon 2.0 and put on my old 5100s on the rear. Looking at eibach or 5100 for the front to replace the icons coil overs
i got a post in the 2015 + section right now.

So to eliminate confusion, i installed aftermarket wheels and 10 ply Terra Grapplers, added the 5100 leveling shocks up front, rear was stock. I was actually pretty satisfied with the ride, but wanted more.

I installed 5100's in the rear about a week or 2 later and it feels like ive got steel rods in place of shocks. So the truck recovers better when hitting bumps but i feel every bump 3 fold compared to the stock shocks. So either its the wheels and tires and i just didnt notice, its the wheels and tire combined with the shocks, or its just the shocks.

i had these shocks on the last two trucks i owned, a 2003 Silverado 4x4 and a 2014 Ram 4x4 and they both got 5100's and i was ridiculously happy with the upgrade from stock.

I talked to someone at Stage 3 and they say the Fox 2.0 are the smoothest shock theyve tested on these trucks but a lot of folks say different on this site...so im hesitant to spend the $250 on the Fox 2.0's. The guy at Stage 3 also didnt try and sell me anything more expensive so im kinda having a hard time not believing him. Figured if he was trying to get me to spend some cash he wouldve recommended something more expensive.

So who knows.
Old 05-23-2019, 08:25 PM
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What tire pressures do you run in your Terra Grapplers? Cold, first thing in the mornin' is when you wanna set 'em. Once in November and again in May for the average ambient temp increase.
Old 05-23-2019, 08:28 PM
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Generally speaking on when (checking more often would be good but may not be necessary with the dash readout using TPMS) but very specific as to what psi... as that can make all the difference in the world in general ride quality perception.


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