Bilstein 5100s

So I'm a bit torn here. My 5100s are in the mail and should be here in the next day or two. My plan is to bump the front up to level it out with the new tires incoming. 265/75R16 KO2s.

I've read plenty of threads with these on the Gen2, but knowing the Gen3 is tad taller I'm not sure which setting will give me the proper height to set it even. I'm not looking to bro it out. .85 or 1.75 is the question.

Are you able to adjust the snap ring to check the different settings with the shocks already installed? With a jack of course.

 

No.

You need to measure your truck front and rear and proceed accordingly. For that matter, 5100 settings are approximate. You might get .5 inches at .85, you may get .85, or you may get more.

 

Sounds good, I'll give that a go. Thanks for the response.

 

I wouldn't go past the .85" mark.

 

My config is unusual, but for examples sake - I got 1.5" of lift at .85 with stock coils.

When I went to the 1.75 setting, I actually got 1.75" of lift. So imagine my surprise to find out on the lowest preload setting besides 0, my rear end suspension mod (3 leaf AAL) was almost made useless.

 

1.75" setting leveled my truck out.

 

Generally speaking.. 4 leaf OEM leaf pack is fairly level with 1.75 setting.

3 leaf OEM pack is fairly level with .85 setting.

3 leaf packs stopped being used in 2014 or 2015, so don't mind that figure much.

Again, though.. the preload settings are ballpark numbers. Every truck is different.

As an aside to all of that, my truck drove very poorly at 1.75 with stock coils. I may be in the minority in that regard, but if you poke around you'll find it to be a fairly common complaint. Ride quality was fine, but road manners were absolutely terrible. My current lift up front is much higher (2.5" settled), and road manners are improved in comparison, and I'm still on stock UCAs which I will need to replace with aftermarket.

If I were doing it again with 5100s, I would personally opt for a lift coil like OME and leave the 5100s at the stock height setting if I wanted to be higher than .85 preload.

 

That's my thinking as well with ride quality. Hoping I don't have to go higher than .85. The less spring compression the better. I'll definitely be upgrading to OME coils in the near future though. I'm putting 5100 with the rears, but not doing any leafpack changes until I add coils up front.

 

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Thank you James! I do what I can!

 

5100s installed!! Set them at 1.75 since we have a 4 leaf pack in the rear as a starting point. It does have a smidge of bro lean being 1/2" higher up front over the rear, but we'll see how the new shocks settle over the next few days. I could always go 1 snap down, but we're fine for now.

In all her glory:

 

Looks great.

You may get some settling, but not much (if any). I would definitely suggest turning your headlights DOWN a bit.. I was also 1/2" too high up front and I filled oncoming cars with light.

 

Forgot about that, will make sure we set that tonight. thanks.

 

Looks great!!!!! I'm going back to the tire shop to swap out the 285's I have on mine now. I drive too much in the mountains and don't like how bogged down it feels. I'm also going to be ordering the 5100's and have them put on at the same time so thank you for figuring out the ride height! Looks perfect.

 

Also, how is the ride compared to the stock shocks? I feel the current bilstein shocks that came stock with the OR package give me a lot of rebound on large bumps and holes.

 

Ride quality is damn near perfect! Feels stable, but yet comfy.

 

Awesome! One more question. Did you happen to take measurements from the bottom of the fender to top of tire or hub? I'm curious how much lift you gained?

 

Here's a shot of what I meant by filled.

This is approx. 30 yards away, give or take 5 yards. Basically, a car sitting across from me at any intersection.

These are my low beams.

 

It was about the same last night. I adjusted the back of the headlamps and them down to normal. Thanks!

 

It actually feels the same maybe a tad tighter up front.

I measured from the bottom fender to the center hub. I gained about 2".