He's got a way with doing that. One of the coolest voices ever.

 

What you talking 'bout Willis? That should be Skylars ride.

 

Not sure what happened (duplicate post) but I guess I'll use this space to say I have new shocks (and LBJ's) ordered. It was a difficult decision but I decided to go with the Bilstein 5100/5125 units. Budget played a part, as did much research on comparisons. Hopefully everything will arrive before the weekend.

 

The 5100's were never available for factory height. So that's new. Huh , I wonder when that happened ? Yea they were 4" lift plus shocks.

Edit: Actually, that would mean Bilstein countered, answered, stepped up, - how ever you want to put it, - to Fox offerings for standard height. But yea, curious...when did this happen lol. (?)

Yea, Bilstein had one shock for this model, actually 2 if you count the 2WD's and these were 4600's. But that was it, nothing else...beginning and the end lol. Wish all you want , you couldn't get a 5100 for these trucks without a lift. So yea, this is news, - I haven't heard of yet.

 

They're available for 0-2" lift in the rear, but only 3-4" lift in the front, that's why I had to go with 5125's up front. (Yeah, I know. Makes no sense to me, either.) Only a 90-day warranty on the 5125's, which sucks, but oh, well. Bilstein makes quality stuff, and that should be enough time to shake them out for any real "manufacturer defects."

 

Okay, that makes more sense. Yea, I didn't look at Bilstein, haven't heard of the 5125 until now. So are 5125's silver in color as well? And what do they spec at, will they except at least a 1.5" crank in the front ? I know I could look them up, but I imagine you took care of all that already lol.

Btw- even the 4600's would except 0-2" rise in the back. The back wasn't the problem, it was the front. You were pretty much locked into factory pre-sets. No room for adjustment.

 

What makes Fox more ideal. More girth, the Biltseins are pencils in comparison. That article you posted earlier, most likley holds more water with newer suspension systems. There's nothing bad about the word firmer, not with these trucks front ends anyway. The way that played out with the 98, the shocks take the abuse vs the operator. Best way to describe it.

The Bilstiens I cringed before running through a rough spot in the road lol. With the Fox, I still cringed, but for no reason...the shocks took it vs me. That was something to get use to lol.

Anyway, I hope the 5125's give you the same experience and help were these trucks need it most.

 

The 5125 is their "custom-application" line. It's identical to the 5100, but available in various end configurations, lengths, and valving. The one they recommended for me is is 2" longer than the stock shock for our trucks, with measurements of 10.7" collapsed to 16.4" extended.

EDIT: I would not have known about the 5125's without calling their tech line directly. Everyone wanted to sell me the 4600's up front and the 5100's for the rear (and I would have had the same "blowout" performance you had, Brew. REALLY glad I called them up.

EDIT 2: Just saw your second post. The Bils are 46mm, which is about 1.8" and only .2" less than the Foxes. That's not a whole lot of difference, but visually noticeable, I'm sure.

..

 

Yea good thing you called, hate to see you get stuck with 4600's. The 5125's are MUCH nicer. You really don't need 2", 1.5" pretty much covers it. Which means you can adjust for level or rake if needed... without repercussions. Bilsteins aren't such a limiting alternative, as they were in the past... for the factory ride height anyway. 5100's have been around for quite awhile. It doesn't look as though the 5125's have been around that long. Yea, good catch on those. These trucks need a good shock up front. With the way the radiator supports rust in these things, among other things, poor shocks up front speed up their demise much quicker. Now that the 98 is running E's for rubber up front (tires are 10lbs heavier than factory, each), I think your running the same, a good shock is a well worth expense.

 

Red finally got driven in the snow yesterday. He did great. At first engagement, the front didn't work. I recycled the switch, the GEM clicked a few times, then engaged. It's worked every time since. Sort of weird. Glad it's engaging correctly now. It hasn't been used since 2012. I'm hoping it was the fork not moving in 6 years.

Those Fusion summer tread tires were better in the snow than the BFG's were, so I was impressed.