question about bilstein 5100
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 219
From: Olywa
I just had these installed on my 2012 FX4. I went with the second from the top adjustment and it looks level to me. Didn't want to go all the way to the top and be nose high, then have to re-install. I'm really happy the ride and height. I did get an alignment after installation, the steering wheel was a bit off center but it drove straight. They didn't straighten the steering wheel the first time and I had to take it back for an adjustment and now it's worse.........but that story is for another thread.
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 350
From: South TX
I just had these installed on my 2012 FX4. I went with the second from the top adjustment and it looks level to me. Didn't want to go all the way to the top and be nose high, then have to re-install. I'm really happy the ride and height. I did get an alignment after installation, the steering wheel was a bit off center but it drove straight. They didn't straighten the steering wheel the first time and I had to take it back for an adjustment and now it's worse.........but that story is for another thread.
5 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 57
Likes: 5
From: N. Albany, Oregon
I took it to South Pacific Auto Sales, I think it's a Tire Pros franchise. They were really nice and told me to come back in and they would adjust it again, but it's a hassle to keep going back.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 539
Likes: 72
From: Central Valley of Ca
Save your money and step up to complete coil overs
I wouldnt waste my money on something you will want to change out after a while ... If your already worrying about them giving you problems(bilstiens are known for this issue) if you set them to high that should be a red flag right there , I can tell you from experience buy the best you can afford from the get go , save up some more money and buy a set of complete coil overs like the BOSS or FOX 
you wont be disappointed . The Oem front coils are so soft , too soft IMO so when you re use them with Bilstien or any other aftermarket shock , no matter how good the shock , its still not going to give you the ride you want , its going to lean in the turns and feel like your driving a school bus ...
With the better coil over you can go as high as you want without worry and have a better handling truck , as they are set up to do this , bilstiens are not a bad shock you are just pushing it to the limit when you go to max height ... Anything pushed to the limit will break sooner than it should .... I really like the FOX coil overs I installed , wouldnt go with anything else .... but to each his own ..
Good luck if you go with Bilstiens
you wont be disappointed . The Oem front coils are so soft , too soft IMO so when you re use them with Bilstien or any other aftermarket shock , no matter how good the shock , its still not going to give you the ride you want , its going to lean in the turns and feel like your driving a school bus ... With the better coil over you can go as high as you want without worry and have a better handling truck , as they are set up to do this , bilstiens are not a bad shock you are just pushing it to the limit when you go to max height ... Anything pushed to the limit will break sooner than it should .... I really like the FOX coil overs I installed , wouldnt go with anything else .... but to each his own ..
Good luck if you go with Bilstiens
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 350
From: South TX
I wouldnt waste my money on something you will want to change out after a while ... If your already worrying about them giving you problems(bilstiens are known for this issue) if you set them to high that should be a red flag right there , I can tell you from experience buy the best you can afford from the get go , save up some more money and buy a set of complete coil overs like the BOSS or FOX you wont be disappointed . The Oem front coils are so soft , too soft IMO so when you re use them with Bilstien or any other aftermarket shock , no matter how good the shock , its still not going to give you the ride you want , its going to lean in the turns and feel like your driving a school bus ...
With the better coil over you can go as high as you want without worry and have a better handling truck , as they are set up to do this , bilstiens are not a bad shock you are just pushing it to the limit when you go to max height ... Anything pushed to the limit will break sooner than it should .... I really like the FOX coil overs I installed , wouldnt go with anything else .... but to each his own ..
Good luck if you go with Bilstiens
you wont be disappointed . The Oem front coils are so soft , too soft IMO so when you re use them with Bilstien or any other aftermarket shock , no matter how good the shock , its still not going to give you the ride you want , its going to lean in the turns and feel like your driving a school bus ... With the better coil over you can go as high as you want without worry and have a better handling truck , as they are set up to do this , bilstiens are not a bad shock you are just pushing it to the limit when you go to max height ... Anything pushed to the limit will break sooner than it should .... I really like the FOX coil overs I installed , wouldnt go with anything else .... but to each his own ..
Good luck if you go with Bilstiens
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 720
Likes: 68
From: Chicago / Suburbs
I wouldnt waste my money on something you will want to change out after a while ... If your already worrying about them giving you problems(bilstiens are known for this issue) if you set them to high that should be a red flag right there , I can tell you from experience buy the best you can afford from the get go , save up some more money and buy a set of complete coil overs like the BOSS or FOX you wont be disappointed . The Oem front coils are so soft , too soft IMO so when you re use them with Bilstien or any other aftermarket shock , no matter how good the shock , its still not going to give you the ride you want , its going to lean in the turns and feel like your driving a school bus ...
With the better coil over you can go as high as you want without worry and have a better handling truck , as they are set up to do this , bilstiens are not a bad shock you are just pushing it to the limit when you go to max height ... Anything pushed to the limit will break sooner than it should .... I really like the FOX coil overs I installed , wouldnt go with anything else .... but to each his own ..
Good luck if you go with Bilstiens
you wont be disappointed . The Oem front coils are so soft , too soft IMO so when you re use them with Bilstien or any other aftermarket shock , no matter how good the shock , its still not going to give you the ride you want , its going to lean in the turns and feel like your driving a school bus ... With the better coil over you can go as high as you want without worry and have a better handling truck , as they are set up to do this , bilstiens are not a bad shock you are just pushing it to the limit when you go to max height ... Anything pushed to the limit will break sooner than it should .... I really like the FOX coil overs I installed , wouldnt go with anything else .... but to each his own ..
Good luck if you go with Bilstiens
There's a very good review on the fox 2.0's vs the Icon 2.5s
Bascially it said Fox 2.0 are good for mild offroading. Icons 2.5 are good for taking the extra beating offroading and handle it much better.
I'll be going Icons for the extra piece of mind over the Fox 2.0s
Last edited by Pauli18c; Apr 19, 2016 at 04:44 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 720
Likes: 68
From: Chicago / Suburbs
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 350
From: South TX
5 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 894
From: Earth
I have the Bilsteins set at top setting and they have been great for the 20+ thousand miles I have on them so far.
I personally would not want a stiffer springs, want to keep my kidneys.
My Bilsteins have pretty much eliminated body roll into corners and have done great off road.
Unless you're doing some gnarly off roading, which there are much better vehicles for that, they will be fine.
I know multiple people who run them also, some on top setting some in the middle, and none have had issues yet.
For my truck the 2.25 setting netted me 2" of lift.
I personally would not want a stiffer springs, want to keep my kidneys.
My Bilsteins have pretty much eliminated body roll into corners and have done great off road.
Unless you're doing some gnarly off roading, which there are much better vehicles for that, they will be fine.
I know multiple people who run them also, some on top setting some in the middle, and none have had issues yet.
For my truck the 2.25 setting netted me 2" of lift.