ric o'shea

I have been searching the archives and cant really decide on which rear bilstein shocks to get. The two i have come down to are the 5100 series,0-1" lift part# BE5-6682-H5. And the heavy duty (over 8400lbs) BE5-2550-HO.

My truck is not lifted, but what is the deal between these two shocks, aside from the color? And which one to purchase?
Thanks..

2nGlenn

Today, I just put 4 Bilsteins on my truck. It included the BE5-2550-HO on the rear and BE5-2549-HO up front. And now I am disappointed with the results. I was using Monroe gas magnums and they were way stiffer, much more heavy duty in appearance and cheaper. I know everyone here swears by the Billys, but my own results differ. I like a firm ride with no wallowing and I found the Bilsteins are way to loose for my taste. It is even noticeable on just a simple bounce test compared to the Monroe’s. I was going to go with the Bilstein 5100's but I have stock ride height and decided to go with the HD’s (and where I ordered them from talked me into the HD's also). As for you original question, I would go with the 5100's on the rear because the HD's are very loose and appear very wimpy (small body, shaft) When researching this whole thing I noticed that Bilstein did not even give out any specs on the HD's like piston size. Compared to stock I suppose they are better, but then again, anything is better! Please let me know what you decide and what your results are?

Glenn

ric o'shea

I know what you mean glenn about the size. I already purchased the 2550-H0 a few days ago, and picked them up today from autozone. Took them out of the box and aside from the cheezy plastic top sheath they are very thin compared to the beefier monroe reflex shocks that are on my truck.

So i got to thinking, i have not used them, so i can exchange them for the 5100's. I never would of second guessed these shocks, until i got a look at them.The sales person brought up the 2550's on the PC, and i also went to the bilstein site and the 2550's were listed there also.

If anyone has any input on these, please chime in.

.

JDGnut

You'll be fine with the stock height on the 5100's.. I've got about 30K on mine.. everythings stock on the suspension....

Homestead

When I went to put them on my truck, which I did recently. I found that the only difference between the 5100's and the HD's are the 5100's are for lifted or leveled trucks.

The HD's though (the blue/yellow ones) will work just fine on a lifted truck. I have the 2" puck in the front and run the HD's and so far haven't had ny problems at all.

Other than a slightly longer stroke, all the internals are the same. This is what Bilstein themselves told me.

Jeff

2nGlenn

The place that I ordered the HD's from swore up and down that the HD's are built BETTER than the 5100's. They only sell shocks and been doing it for years. I myself have not even seen a 5100 before and took their word for it. I figured the 5100 should at least have a bigger piston and different valving and should be a heaver shock overall (or is it just a long HD?). If anybody out there has or had both, I would like to hear from them. Please don't get me wrong, I am not saying Bilstein shocks are bad, I just don't think the ones for my application are as heavy duty as they should be or I was led to believe. The reason still went ahead and put them on was because I figured they are a different design (mono tube) and I only heard good things about them, so, I decided to give them a try. I think some people have gone from stock to the Bilsteins and are impressed. I went from the Monroe's and had a different experience. Now at least, when I rev the engine while standing still the whole truck rocks back and forth like I have a 1000 HP under the hood

ric o'shea

This morning I logged onto autozones website and searched their 5100 series BE5-6682-H5 (0"-1") lift shock. It is $20.00 more than the 2550 heavy duty, BUT, it only has a 90 day warrenty. I called the local autozone store and they confirmed the 90 days warrenty also.

Now I dont know if I should take back the unused 2550's, and exchange for the 5100's. Or just put on the 2550's and hope I am happy with them.

2nGlenn

If you are after a early 70's heavy large Cadillac type ride then put them on The HD's do have a limited lifetime warranty. Everyday, I spend over two hours commuting to and from work, so the quality of the ride is important to me. Now I am thinking of pulling the Bilsteins off and either going back to the Gas Magnums or maybe something else. If I do, I will sale the Bilsteins to someone here on the forum very very cheap. Let me know what you think of them if you do install them.