bilstein 5100 experiences

Is anyone in here running the 5100's in your trucks? If so what are your experiences with them on ride quality & how would you compare them to the fox 2.0 & icons? I want to know because I am planning on running these in my 2014 DCLB TRD sport lifting it around 2.5" & wanna run AAL's in the rear. I wanna know your inputs thanks.

 

Fox and Icons are performance shocks...5100s are basically OEM replacements that you can lift your truck with. Fox and Icon will ride much better, but they do cost more.

I had 5100s all around previously, they were great for what they were. Upgraded to Kings in the front and Icons in the rear and the ride is noticeably better, which it should be considering the price difference.

 

Yes, about half of TW runs them. They are the entry level of aftermarket shocks and are the best value when looking for a complete lift kit. You’ll want to upgrade your coils and either add to or replace your leaf pack. Welcome to TW btw.

 

Love the question and welcome to the World!!
5100’s are great starter mods. Heck for a lot of peeps there great suspension lifetime mods!
They are a noticeable improvement over stock ride both on road and off.
But...if you can afford the Fox or Icon go for it, especially if your doing some off-roading .
Either way upgrade your UCA’s and leaf packs.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

I just did this exact mod, with new wheels and bigger tires. Ride quality is improved, and I'm hoping for more payload with the AAL. Install was pretty easy for a first timer. I have a 4cyl.

 

What do you have set up for just lift? 5100s? Of course but ucas? Coils? Rear? Looks good!

 

I've owned both, 5100s on my single cab and now Icon on my current truck. If you use your current coils up front the ride can be a little harsh and in my case it the 5100s had a clunk. I had them on the second setting with stock upper control arms. It rode OK and I didn't regret my purchase at all. I feel that new longer coils and some aftermarket upper control arms would of made for a great upgrade over stock. I have Icons now and love the ride and have alot more confidence in them over the 5100s. The ride is better but depending on your usage maybe not better enough to justify the cost. Consider how you will use your truck and then determine what your end goal is. If it's to have room for bigger tires go with just 5100s and maybe upper control arms. If you want to hit the trails occasionally then go with 5100s, coils and some upper control arms. If you want to knock out some cross country, trips loaded down with gear hitting every major trail on the way and do some difficult wheeling consider going with Fox, Icon, King, ADS ect., Or if you just have some money burning a hole in your pocket. The rear, this is my second Icon AAL. While it rides good and accomplishes the job (lifting the rear 1.5") it doesn't ride as good as it could and it sags easily. Both times I end up looking for a full leaf pack. (Currently trying to pick one). Rear shocks to me aren't as huge of a deal. Pick one that matches well with whatever rear lift you go with and roll with it. I have Icon RR rear shocks and they do fine but it's hard to tell with the AAL. Best of luck! This place is a wealth of information!

 

running 2888's/5100's/Dakars/Camburg UCA's. Definately an improvement over stock. I think it was 2k'ish maybe a little bit more.

 

Really you can't compare the two, 5100s and Icons are on two different playing fields. It really comes down to how you plan on using your truck (and your budget). For a street rig that sees occasional trails (light trails), 5100s and aftermarket coils will do just fine. If you hit the harder trails in your truck on a regular basis and like to do it with some speed, then go with Icons.

 

While there quite different shocks, you certainly can compare them.
I think a few of the posts do just that including yours.

5100’s for lift and the occasional forest service trails.
Icons/fox for heavier usage offroad and a better ride on road .
See right there , that’s a comparison lol

 

Thanks for the input guys now I have a better perspective its not the $$ that im worried about I just wanted to know how 5100's would perform before I decide. I don't do much OR but I will in the future as of right now its just a pavement pounder & I just tow my fishing boat in the summer but I still cant decide if I should fork out the cash for the good ones or just start with the billies first...........

 

I Have 5100 on all 4 corners and I’m pretty sure they’re all blown only advice is don’t expect them to be a huge improvement. They were nice for the first 3/4 months and in the process of saving up for some 2.5 kings

 

Is that set @ 2.5" or 3"? whats the size of your tires? Btw sweet truck I like the way it looks!

 

look at ads as well, good quality stuff, its what Ill be switching to next.

 

This seems to be the trend, great write up, brutally honest . Pay once cry once .

 

Thanks. Yes, just for lift and more payload. Stock coils and UCA's. Toytec AAL with TSB leafs. 5100's front/rear. Front set @ 1.75.

 

Thanks. Fronts set @ 1.75 (one setting below max, which is 2.5). 265/75 16 Falken Wildpeak AT3's.

 

They ride great. Big improvement over stock shocks. I guess the only way I can describe is is that when you hit a pothole, you only feel the pothole once, rather than feeling the entry and exit separately. They manage bumps well.

My next suspension upgrade will probably be bilsteins with remote resis up front and 5125s in the back. But who knows!

 

Also fyi, on my 2.7 AC 4x4. I used to run bilsteins with stock coils at 1.75" then switchedd to OME 884 coils with the bilsteins at the bottom setting. The 884s ride stiffer than the previous setup for sure, but still rides great and Will be perfect once I get a winch or switch to an ARB bumper.

 

Yes, I agree with that also. And it firms it up all the way around (with the AAL), which I felt it needed very badly. Stock, the suspension is way too soft (on my SR5). Overall the handling and ride is improved, and worth a sub $500 price IMO. And for pavement, I feel it's a descent set-up.