Bilstein 5100 / Eibach Gallery

....it sure looks like he is

You're gonna want it switched around
Like so:

 

I don't think there is technically a right side up but I run mine shaft down so that mud, dirt, and water don't sit on the seal where the shaft goes in the shock body and cause damage. I also took my boots off so mud and dirt don't get trapped in there. I only took it offroad one time before I ditched the boots and there was quite a bit in them already.

 

I run mine with the body up and out of the way too


I kinda have to because of the piggyback resi, but still

it's kinda a preferential thing, but usually the shock body is on top

 

there isn't really a right or wrong..

that said, i recommend bodys up and shafts down. Water can poo on the top of the bodys and wear out the seals faster. Plus if you hit anything..id rather it not be body and blow the shock.

 

I'd rather water not poo on my shocks

that would make me sad

 

yea plus like you i have the resi that needs to be up.

for those running the body down..ask yourself this..all the top brand shocks(fox, king, icon, ect) that have resi's..all mount body up..must be a good reason..

 

Interesting...pretty sure the paperwork that came from Wheeler's with mine said that the boot goes down...and that's how my tech put them on.

 

Thats how they should be..IMO too.

 

I think I'm gonna flip mine .hmmm ( currently boot up )

 

These Bilsteins are nitrogen charged. This means they can be run shock body up or down. Old style shocks, the "emulsion type" like Rancho 5000s, have to be run with the shock body down due to their design.

Given that choice,I would rather have the hardened shaft down and the shock body up out of the way. The shock body is much more vulnerable to damage.

 

Soooo how I have it then

 

Yeah, but its a pretty easy swap if you think its worth it. If it was mine, I would flip them and remove the boots.

 

at least the rears are supah ez to do

 

I think he's saying that it's okay to mount then like yours, but that the recommended way is boot down, body up (that's the way we like to....mount our shocks)

 

I looked at how my Dad has his set up, boot side up. So that's what I did. I figured it would be better to have those up, or higher away from the ground. Still recommend removing the boot? Maybe just remove the zip ties and put newer (tighter) ones on there?

 

Ah gotcha. Hmm well maybe after hunting this weekend I'll gather some energy and flip em. Like Kona said, the rears are supa ez to do

 

just that dirt/water can get trapped in the boot...so instead of them protecting the shaft they can end up doing damage.

but if you clean and check them regularly, they should be fine.

usually the wiper seals are enough to keep the shafts happy

 

Ah dirt/water would be no bueno when it comes to the shock compressing/expanding. I'll just give Downsouth a ring tomorrow and see what they would usually recommend

 

Finished my truck today! Couldn't be happier ! As soon as learn how to post pics il be putting it on here!

 

Fixed

If you are a member here...your TRUCK will never be finished.