Suspension Upgrade from 5100 and 886

I’m looking for suspension that’s more comfortable. I’m getting beat to hell off-roading and even on some streets. Most of the trails we do are under 15, and mostly under 5. Mud and rocks in Alabama.

I currently have Bilstein 5100’s with 886 coils, 51XX whatevers in the rear with Dakar heavies without the second leaf. I have an ARB bumper and steel cable winch. That’s pretty much all the weight besides tools and gear. No sway bar, and don’t want to put it back on.

I’ve noticed that going faster on gravel roads helps, but it’s not often/fun for me. That’s usually the road taking me to the fun shiz...on road they handle fine. Anything under 10mph and I’m beat to hell. Any small drop and the tires slam down with a giant thud.

I need to keep the on road stability, but I’m sick of being jarred to death. Our roads are shit in Alabama. I see 95% pavement, but rarely 65mph. My commute is all 55mph back roads. I drive like a moderately aged granny.

Any suggestions on a suspension upgrade? Been debating OME, but not opposed to any option.

 

Kingz of fox? How big is your wallet?

 

not concerned with cost, just want the product best suited for my needs. I’m not blasting through the desert or rock crawling with jeeps. Just want something more comfortable for the medium trails and potholes around town. Airing down helps, but that thud on slight drops is terrible. It slams the tire down something serious...

 

If you have Dakar heavies, do you carry an actual load? If you don't, there's your problem. The spring rate on those leafs is going to be so stiff your shocks can't do anything.

 

I’ve

I’ve got the second leaf removed so it’s not as stiff. The trouble is mostly the front. I don’t notice a lot in the back.

 

Duuuude I’m in the same boat. Blisteins 5100s and OME885 coils, arb bumper and winch and man, it rides like ass so much that it hurts my ass

 

good to know stepping down in coils wouldn’t help haha. It’s definitely getting old. Airing down helps on the trails, but I shouldn’t have to air down to go up my gravel driveway haha. I’m back and forth on OME to match or jumping into something like Kings or Fox. Those have always seemed more like desert racing than what we do in Bama. I just want to hear from someone who experienced similar and found a happy place haha.

 

idk man, you ever driven I 65 south of Birmingham? You NEED Kings to drive that road

When I upgrade I will def get something with a reservoir

 

haha you’re right about that man. I drive like a straight up old lady in Bham because the roads are so bad. That would be the ultimate test for suspension. Bomb through i65 doing the speed limit haha

 

After doing some more research, I’m leaning towards OMEs BP-51. Kings don’t seem to have the adjustments that fox or ome offers. For what we do in Alabama, that might be a better fit than kings. Anyone had both? I’ve read pretty much every thread about them. Not a huge amount on here.

one downside I see is having to compress the spring to adjust the height, but that’s really a set it and forget it thing for me. Plus, I’m sure they recommend that with any adjustable coil over...

 

Have you tried running with a little less air in the shoes? Makes more difference than you might think...

 

I air down on the trail and that helps a good bit, but I can’t air down on the road or my driveway. I run about 32 psi front and back on 33’s.

It’s almost unbearable at slow speeds. Highway is decent, but it still feels like I’m bouncing all over the place.

 

Get rid of the 5100, they are trash. Have had them on 2 different trucks (not sure why i did it again the second time). Upgrade to OME shocks and do something about the dakar heavies. You would be surprised how much of an impact the rear suspension has on how rough riding the truck feels.

OR drop a bunch of money on Fox, Kings, Icon etc... probably can't go wrong there, but I do not have experience in that department. I seem to use my truck similar to you, and the OME set up has been great. Also, make sure your tires are aired to the appropriate level, especially if you are running E rated.

 

You still running a front sway?

 

no sway bar, small difference but enough to keep it off.

 

I’ve removed a leaf from the Dakars which made a good improvement but mostly lowered it which is what I was after. I’m running E-rated 33’s at 32psi. The Bilsteins have about 50k on them now, but they’ve really always been crap as far as comfort. I don’t expect a Cadillac, but I don’t want pogo sticks either. I’m willing to drop the dime to get a good ride quality on and off road. I’m sure king, icon, fox, OME will be such a huge improvement from what I’m running that it’s probably a moot point, but I want to make sure these are the last shocks I buy for a long time.

 

I run 5100's with 885's. low pro bumper with winch so total about about 120lbs up front. I have sliders and a rear shell. Rears are 5100's on the stock 4 leaf pack with a single aal.
My ride is fine on the road and on gravel roads also. My stock OR suspension and stock street tires was a super stiff ride and you would feel every pebble on the road.

 

I too am fairly unimpressed with my 5100's. Have 884 shocks and Dakar heavies in the rear. Better than the stock suspension, sure, but not what I was hoping for. Having a full steel bumper/ winch in front and a canopy and gear in the back help significantly, but the ride is very harsh esp. on washboard. Speed helps, but as you said it can get less enjoyable hauling ass down gravel roads.

I have heard that the OME nitro suspension is better, but I've only rode in tacos with stock suspension, stock suspension with hockey puck lifts and my own truck. Would be curious to ride in other suspension setups.

If I ever get some spare coin you know I'll be getting fox/ king/ ads.

 

This kills me. The first thing out of everyone’s mouth is 5100s. Just like weathertechs, wetokole, and Dakar. The truth is no single product is the best for everyone. I am still running stock suspension because the 5100/886 old standby has resulted in too many complaints of a shitty ride.

 

Yeah, I get that. Don't get me wrong, I think if you replaced your stock shocks with 5100 and kept running the same coils and springs, you'd probably have a slightly better than stock ride. But if ANY offroading is to be done, or ANY weight is being added, or ANY lift is being achieved - I would skip the 5100 step and jump to something a bit more robust. Even the OME shocks, which are relatively simple and inexpensive, are better than the 5100s.