Rear bilstein 5100's are great, should I do fronts too?

[gooby]

Bilstein sent out the replacement mounting hardware.

In the meantime I got 3 quotes.

Local shop, $200 for install but they don't do alignments
Mobile mechanic guy I use for some things, $300 but no alignment
4x4 shop 30 min away from me, $550 with alignment. Also takes a few hours and will be annoying to get out there.

I'm fine going local just wondering if this is complex enough of an install that a local place could butcher the install. And if it's OK to go get an alignment elsewhere after its done.

Thoughts?

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[sbi]

Bang for buck, it's difficult to beat 5100s.

But doing just the rear or just the front isn't finishing the job. Unbalanced, if you will.

You asked.

OK, so I am at half job right now , I replaced the rears exactly a year ago (5100). I want to do the fronts as well, not looking for any level or lift.
Did you also change the OEM springs or just the shocks?
And why would I need alignment if I am not doing any level or lift?
I'll have to find a shop to do this. I did the rears myself, but don't think I have the knowledge to tackle the fronts.

 

[sbi]

I can't seem to find a reasonable shop (cost wise) to replace my front shocks. Two shops came with $750, lowest I found is $480 (for them to remove OEM shocks from the spring and re-install with the 5100, I provide the shocks). Not sure it is worth $800 of my hard earned money. Frustrating.

 

[gooby]

I can't seem to find a reasonable shop (cost wise) to replace my front shocks. Two shops came with $750, lowest I found is $480 (for them to remove OEM shocks from the spring and re-install with the 5100, I provide the shocks). Not sure it is worth $800 of my hard earned money. Frustrating.

Mine are in the shop right now for $550 total for install and alignment. Wasn’t the cheapest I got quoted at but it was by a 4x4 shop that does these all the time so I figured I’d pay a premium. Anything above $600 sounds high to me.

 

[sbi]

Mine are in the shop right now for $550 total for install and alignment. Wasn’t the cheapest I got quoted at but it was by a 4x4 shop that does these all the time so I figured I’d pay a premium. Anything above $600 sounds high to me.

Are you keeping the OEM springs or did you change the entire strut?

 

[gooby]

Are you keeping the OEM springs or did you change the entire strut?

Keeping all oem besides the 5100s. I think the 6112 comes with the full coil over and whatnot. I just handed them the struts? and mounting hardware. I pick up the truck in a few hours and I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[Buyer2021]

.... lowest I found is $480 (for them to remove OEM shocks from the spring and re-install with the 5100, I provide the shocks)

Given hourly shop rates these days (often well over $100/hr) that sounds pretty good.

Note it's not uncommon for shops to charge a 'premium' for installing owner-supplied parts (for a variety of reasons, some good, some not so much). Some just flat won't do it, they don't want to be in the middle if there's a problem / defect / later issue with the owner-supplied parts.

Just curious, were the $750 quotes with them providing the shocks?

 

[sbi]

Given hourly shop rates these days (often well over $100/hr) that sounds pretty good.

Note it's not uncommon for shops to charge a 'premium' for installing owner-supplied parts (for a variety of reasons, some good, some not so much). Some just flat won't do it, they don't want to be in the middle if there's a problem / defect / later issue with the owner-supplied parts.

Right, one didn't want to touch my shocks, many other agreed but higher than expected. Just checked with one, they charge $120 an hour and said they need 2 hours each side, $575 including alignment.

 

[Buyer2021]

said they need 2 hours each side , $575 including alignment.

Having done it myself with no practice, IMO that's not unreasonable for a conscientious professional tech. Shops gotta cover overhead and techs gotta make a living.

Sorry if it prices you out of the swap, but you may need to adjust your expectations to reality.

 

[sbi]

Having done it myself with no practice, IMO that's not unreasonable for a conscientious professional tech. Shops gotta cover overhead and techs gotta make a living.

Sorry if it prices you out of the swap, but you may need to adjust your expectations to reality.

That's perfectly fine , all I am saying is that I need to think about it if it is worth the investment, that's all.

 

[Buyer2021]

That's perfectly fine , all I am saying is that I need to think about it if it is worth the investment, that's all.

Gotchya.

IMO the swap is worth the "investment" in terms of improved driving characteristics, but if it's not within your "budget tolerance" that makes it moot. Two different things, both real-world considerations.

Wishing you the best in any case.

 

[sbi]

Gotchya.

IMO the swap is worth the "investment" in terms of improved driving characteristics, but if it's not within your "budget tolerance" that makes it moot. Two different things, both real-world considerations.

Wishing you the best in any case.

Thanks Buyer.

 

[gooby]

Got them installed yesterday. First impressions: Not much

The truck definitely feels 'tighter' when cornering, stopping, handling, etc. It feels a bit stiffer overall when driving. Not any better ride quality in my opinion. I've read that they are stiff to start and loosen up over a few hundred miles. No clue if that is true. I installed at stock ride height and got an alignment after. For a total of $850 for the shocks + install, not a bad deal, but definitely not a significant change.

The rears were a drastic difference overall, the fronts are a bit underwhelming, but I've only drove about 20 miles since I got them done.

I've read that you see real improvements when towing, so we will see, as I leave for a 1300 mile road trip with a camper in 2 weeks.

 

[2Lazy2P]

Last June I had 5100's installed on the front by a local shop and I provided the shocks. Install and alignment (thrust angle alignment) inc tax was $613.20. A few weeks back I had the same shop install 5100's on the rear. Installation was $194.77.

 

[sbi]

Last June I had 5100's installed on the front by a local shop and I provided the shocks. Install and alignment (thrust angle alignment) inc tax was $613.20.

Just to confirm - they replaced OEM shocks with 5100 and kept the OEM Coil?

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