Bilstein 5100 2.5 setting

[Mjackson704]

Does anyone have pictures and or experience with ride quality at the max setting? I'm worried the ride becomes harsh.

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[TheGoatman]

IMO 2.5 is a bit much if you’re concerned about optimal ride unless you’re going with something with extended travel to gain back some uptravel

 

[Mjackson704]

IMO 2.5 is a bit much if you’re concerned about optimal ride unless you’re going with something with extended travel to gain back some uptravel

Any recommendations?

 

[TheGoatman]

1.25-2 is what I’d do. I’m at 2” now and considering going down to 1.25” but I’m not looking for a ton of wheel well in the front.

 

[12Lariat21]

The ride quality shouldn't change no matter where you set the spring height, it will only change the appearance of the truck. Bilstein is a reputable/quality manufacturer and I'm sure they have the strut engineered to perform equally at minimum and maximum settings.

If you are thinking you want to go to 2.5" setting just to make the truck 100% level while sitting still, I think you'll find out that it will look as though the rear is squatting a bit. I would shoot for a minimum of 1" of rake front to rear for appearance sake.

I'm using the 1.5" setting, but I also have removed the rear spacer block, and added airbags in the rear, and the photo is on a slanted driveway, so my situation is not a good representation of anything, just throwing the photo in here to keep things interesting. However if you only focus on the front, that is tire to fender spacing of the 1.5" setting.

 

[Polo08816]

The ride quality shouldn't change no matter where you set the spring height, it will only change the appearance of the truck. Bilstein is a reputable/quality manufacturer and I'm sure they have the strut engineered to perform equally at minimum and maximum settings.

If you are thinking you want to go to 2.5" setting just to make the truck 100% level while sitting still, I think you'll find out that it will look as though the rear is squatting a bit. I would shoot for a minimum of 1" of rake front to rear for appearance sake.

I'm using the 1.5" setting, but I also have removed the rear spacer block, and added airbags in the rear, and the photo is on a slanted driveway, so my situation is not a good representation of anything, just throwing the photo in here to keep things interesting. However if you only focus on the front, that is tire to fender spacing of the 1.5" setting.

It won't perform "equally" at different pre-load settings, but it should perform appropriately.

 

[mdn14]

The ride quality shouldn't change no matter where you set the spring height, it will only change the appearance of the truck. Bilstein is a reputable/quality manufacturer and I'm sure they have the strut engineered to perform equally at minimum and maximum settings.

If you are thinking you want to go to 2.5" setting just to make the truck 100% level while sitting still, I think you'll find out that it will look as though the rear is squatting a bit. I would shoot for a minimum of 1" of rake front to rear for appearance sake.

I'm using the 1.5" setting, but I also have removed the rear spacer block, and added airbags in the rear, and the photo is on a slanted driveway, so my situation is not a good representation of anything, just throwing the photo in here to keep things interesting. However if you only focus on the front, that is tire to fender spacing of the 1.5" setting.

Stock 275/60R20s?

 

[Reverberocket]

I used the middle setting and it produced more height than I expected. Ride height change measurements: @ ft. fender: 36 ⅞ to 38 ¼ / @ air dam: 10 ¾ to 12 ⅜

 

[12Lariat21]

It won't perform "equally" at different pre-load settings, but it should perform appropriately.

Pre-load settings? The settings on the Bilstien 5100 is just the location of the strut body to the bottom of the spring, this doesn't change the compression of the spring and there are no adjustments on the strut valving, so that doesn't change, it will only change the position the strut is running internally. So either I'm confused or you're confused, if it is me I welcome the education...

 

[12Lariat21]

Stock 275/60R20s?

Yes stock size 275/60R20 in the BFG KO2's (which are a D load rating so stiffer than the factory SL, but not as hard as an E load rated tire)

 

[mdn14]

Yes stock size 275/60R20 in the BFG KO2's (which are a D load rating so stiffer than the factory SL, but not as hard as an E load rated tire)

Looks good. The previous owner of my truck went with 2.5" fox kit with 285/65R20 BFGs but the ride is a little rough. I'd love to go with 275/65 but the SL options are few and far between so it's good to see the stock tire size with a little lift

 

[12Lariat21]

Looks good. The previous owner of my truck went with 2.5" fox kit with 285/65R20 BFGs but the ride is a little rough. I'd love to go with 275/65 but the SL options are few and far between so it's good to see the stock tire size with a little lift

Ah, I see. So the real difference is the difference between the fox kit and the bilstien.

Also I believe any BFG beyond the stock 275/60R20 is an E load rating, so just going to the D load rating you'll notice the ride get 'softer' Even in the D load rating the ride quality between 35psi and 45psi is night and day. What pressure do you run the 285/65R20's?

 

[mdn14]

Ah, I see. So the real difference is the difference between the fox kit and the bilstien.

Also I believe any BFG beyond the stock 275/60R20 is an E load rating, so just going to the D load rating you'll notice the ride get 'softer' Even in the D load rating the ride quality between 35psi and 45psi is night and day. What pressure do you run the 285/65R20's?

Correct, they're load range E. I fully suspect the rough ride is from the E rated tires and not the suspension. Plus I'd love to get a little bit of my powerboost mpg back with smaller, lighter tires.

Currently at about 42psi I believe. Used to be around 35 but figured I'd try something a little higher to see if I could recover some mpgs. So far, nothing concrete besides feeling every nook and cranny in it.

 

[TheGoatman]

Edit: The ride quality is effected by having less down travel. Hitting that max extension more frequently

 

[Mjackson704]

The ride quality is effected by having less up travel. Hitting that max extension more frequently

I should have been more clear. Do you have any recommendations as to a different strut with extended up travle? Also, do you have any pictures?

Thanks

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