Bilstein 8112 Series with 8100

No clunks at all here...

What height do you have them set at?

Got any pics of your installed shocks?

Recording of the clunk?

 

No noises from my setup.

 

I appreciate the responses! I didn't change the settings that they came with, and according to the measurements, they are set to ~1.5" of lift. (Pre-set at: LF=29/32”, RF=19/32” From the instruction manual) I did order them with the 650# springs, and without my two steel skid plates reinstalled, or the sway bar, I got exactly 3" of lift. I know it will settle, and I'm not worried about total lift at the moment, but I didn't know if that sound was coming from inside the shocks or not. I read that if the installed length is >19 11/16 that it will engage the internal bump stops more frequently, but I don't think that's what's going on. That's why I was asking.

I'll get pics and try some video too. Might take a few days do to work and life.

 

You said you didn't replace your UCAs, so you're probably maxing out the travel range of the stock UCAs. That would clunk.

 

If I wasn't so cheap bilstein 8100s would have been my #1 choice for "bolt on" performance. I got used 2.5" Icons all around which I rebuilt and revalved for less than $1200 total.

For the fronts you have that built in bump zone, and for the rear you have external bypass tubes which allows for position sensitive adjustment all around. Even with the "clicker" style adjusters you are always limited to only velocity sensitivity in the shock. Basically no matter where the shock is in the stroke it will react the same with how hard of a hit there is (aka velocity sensitive only). Dumb. For the first few inches of travel you want that shock soft no matter how hard or fast the bump is in order to eliminate unnecessary harshness. Similarly as the shock approaches bottom out, you want them to get nice a firm no matter how fast or slow the tire moves , to avoid bottoming out . It's the best of both worlds when you have a position sensitive shock. Cadillac smooth ride on the street and small washboard stuff so it doesn't ride like a cement truck, and nice a firm for oh shit moments. Just search "which shocks should I get; Icon,Fox, King" and the primary issue with all the pros / cons boils down to this issue of too soft or too firm for different situations. For you guys with your fancy bilsteins you have the best of it all.

 

Man I have not they told me they would all be shipped first part of October I ordered mine in July but still not seen fronts or rears :/ what kind of lift are you doing with the rear ?

 

Add me to the list of those still waiting. Lucked out on the rears, but still waiting on fronts. Ordered 7/15.

 

From who I've talked to they stated Bilstein's having the same issue as every single other manufacture with shocks. I work for a classic car company and we deal with shocks from multiple vendors and even make some ourselves and man its been hard getting them in. Once we get em in they're off the shelves to fill backorders. But fingers crossed we can get our fronts in soon for all of us !

 

Just got tracking numbers for my 8112 fronts!

 

Man ! I called my guy yesterday and said they have 3 of the 4 shocks and told me maybe December but I'm really hoping a lot sooner than that haha

 

Hopefully soon. I'm wondering if the RAM TRX suspension delayed some of the 8112/8100 production as they seem to be quite similar. Mine will be here Friday!

On a side note, I just skimmed the instructions again and I'm looking at the ride height settings. What ride height settings are people going with? I guess it's time to re-read this thread.

FWIW, I'm staying with 600lb springs and only have a full aluminum bumper. I'm thinking of just going with the max settings, 1-1/4" exposed threads on the left and 1" exposed threads on the right.

 

You know I totally forgot about that not even going to lie haha ! And correct me if i'm wrong but also the bronco is running bilstein too so thats probably what it is. But i've read on some places here people do the full 2 in the front and go with a 1 inch aal or new leaf springs!

 

It’s usually better to step up spring rate rather than max out preload, ride can stiffen more from the preload than the heavier spring at times. No hands on experience with these though so not sure how applicable it is to these

 

I wonder if anyone's tested different springs on this application ? maybe Eibach? If so they're located right next to my company just walk over there and get a pair. I feel like I'll definitely need the 700 lbs. springs cause running c4 bumper with the pro6 kc roof lights.

 

I'm running 650lb Eibach springs on my 8112's. No issues.

 

The Bilsteins come with 600# rating no? and do you happen to have the pn for the 650s ?

 

Yep, 600lb rating stock springs from Bilstein.

Here's the Headstrong Off-Road PN for the Eibachs (may just be the Eibach number, I don't know): 1400.300.0650S That's 14" long, 3" ID, 650lb.

My truck has steel sliders and rear bumper, aluminum front bumper, and a Vagabond Drifter wedge camper with a light interior buildout, plus full-time mild toolbox and recovery gear. The 650s are perfect for that weight. ~2" lift the way I have them set up.

 

I've got a full Icon RXT leaf pack in the back, currently set to option 2, so I'm good there.

I do agree, but I think I'll be okay as long as I keep within Bilstein's specs. I don't have the weight up front for 650lb springs, so I'd like to avoid those. I ran 650lb springs on my 4Runner and did not like the way it rode.

 

8112's are in! Install was mostly straight forward, but got complicated due to my CBI bumper and support brackets. I had to space out the reservoir bracket from the sway bar relocation mount due to the CBI bumper reinforcement. I also found that Bilstein sent me two passenger side reservoir brackets, but I was able to make it work. I ended up not making much of an adjustment to the coil height, and I lost about half an inch from my 5100/888 setup. I'm at 1 inch of exposed threads on the driver's side and 3/4 inch of exposed threads on the passenger side. Even though the driver's side has a 1/4 inch more threads showing, it's sitting almost a half inch lower than the passenger side (full tank of gas, fridge mounted in bed on driver's side and larger group 27 battery). I think the current rake is about perfect with my Icon RXT stage 2, especially when I put my RTT back on, but I want to correct the lean a bit more. Don't mind the gobs of Fluid Film, they use a lot of salt around here.













One thing I am concerned about is the position of my sway bar. It's pretty much making contact with the frame supports on the back side of the skid plate. I'm thinking I may be able to pull those off as I don't think the TRD Pro skid uses those.

 

My sway bar is also pretty close to those supports - I've had no issues through an entire summer of wheeling. The area I've been concerned about is how close my sway bar comes to the coilovers themselves... I modified the sway bar brackets by filing out the bolt holes a little so I could move the bar further forward. Looks very close, but again, no issues over the summer.

If you want to adjust the height on either side (or both), I've had no issue doing it with everything installed (wheels included). I just jack up the front of the truck until the tires are off the ground, then turn the wheels to one side or the other to expose the coilover. It's fairly easy to adjust them so long as you've added a bit of lubricant to the threads. And then of course make sure you drive the truck a short distance before measuring the ride height again - when you set it down initially it will be WAY higher than expected...

Have fun with that setup!