tuflehundon

I just installed a Rough Country 4" lift on my truck. I already had Bilstein 5100 shocks in the rear. They have approx 32,000 miles on them. Anyone have any experience with the RC N3 shocks? Are they any good? Debating if I should leave the 5100's on the truck or swap out the N3's.

Apples

Since it has been standard practice (at least it was years ago) to replace dampers every 40K, it's probably time to check out those RC shocks.

I take it that the lift on your truck has mount positions that accommodate the travel of the 5100? I'm a "Bilstein guy" so I'd invest in another set, or better yet, their 5160. I'm thinking of replacing my 20K-mile set of 5100s for the 6112/5160 setup.

tuflehundon

Went ahead and used the Rough Country N3 shocks, because the 5100's I had weren't long enough for the lift I added. The N3's are better than stock, but I miss the 5100's. I'll keep the N3's on for a while, and get some longer 5100's down the road. Just have to figure out which ones with work with 3 inches of rear lift.

AO8309

Just installed an RC lift on my screw also the N3s are definitely noticeable over stock I put the 5100s on the front. I will be changing the rears though as I think it could be better. They was a really noticeable difference when I did the 4” lift with the N3s over stock. But when I went to 6” of lift not so much.

tuflehundon

I took the 5100's off to put on the N3's. The 5100's were much stiffer than the N3's.

Wannafbody

Bilsteins will last practically forever due to their internal deflective disc design. Only time they really fail is if they blow the top seal out.

tuflehundon

To update the thread. I used the RC shocks for 6 months, since the 5100's I had were too short for my lift. Hated the RC shocks. They were as good as stock, but I always thought the stock shocks sucked. Installed Bilstein 5160's this weekend. So much better.

RLXXI

5160's fit 2 or 4wd?
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tuflehundon

I picked up 5160's for an 09-14 4wd truck, and put them on my 08 2wd truck with 3" blocks. They were just over 4 1/2" longer than stock height 08 2wd shocks. Top and bottom mount sizes are the same for 04-08, and 09-14 shocks. The length is just different due to the attachment points being in different locations. In front of the axle for 04-08, and behind the axle on 09-14.

RLXXI

Ok that's what I was thinking, I had to order 4wd rear shocks to fit my 2wd after the RC lift I put on it. I put a set of Monroe gas shocks on it. Still have the RC shocks and there's nothing wrong with them but thinking I'll probably go with the Bilstein's when the Monroes wear out.

Pretty sure my shocks are also forward of the axle. I'll take a look tomorrow.
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