I need to get new shocks and wanted to get ya'lls opinion. I do some towing and live around a lot of rough dirt roads. I do a decent amount highway travel.
Thank ya'll.

 

One thing I have done on almost every vehicle I have owned it once it's time go for a set of bilsteins. Seems to make it ride and handle so much better.

 

I put Bilstein 5100 shocks in mine a couple months back now. The truck handles better than it did new off the lot and it feels solid. I don't know if the ride is any better but the road handling is fantastic.

 

X2, the Bilsteins are amazing...

 

x3 Bilsteins 5100's...great shocks

 

X4 Bilstein 5100's

 

Bilstein's, definitely!

I have run both the Bilstein 5100's (blue/silver) and the HD's (yellow/blue). If your truck's suspension is bone stock, then IMO, the Bilstein HD's are the better of the two. The 5100's, while still better than the stock shocks, are not quite as good as the HD's on a stock suspension. I think the 5100's work better on a lifted truck with more suspension travel. I called Bilstein to get the valve rates, which are as follows:

HD valving: 221/67 newtons (rebound/compression)
5100 valving: 270/50 newtons (rebound/compression)

The 5100's were just way too soft in compression when I was loaded and my front end would "porpoise" and bottom out way too easily with them. When loaded, my rig just felt like it was struggling to maintain its composure with the 5100's. I wish the 5100's were the better performing ones because they definitely look way more cool than the yellow HD's! The HD's just feel much smoother, controlled, and "sure footed," especially when I'm loaded. And no more porpoising or bottoming out.

 

From what Geno's Garage's catalog said there is no difference in the 5100 or Yellow HD shock other than length.
They are the same animal but the 5100 are for lifted trucks.

 

Yes I had seen that claim too, and being the skeptic that I am, I called Bilstein to confirm that claim. The tech at Bilstein said they were "basically the same," although the 5100 is a generic application for lifted trucks and the HD is a vehicle-specific application and then he gave me the specific valve damping rates as I posted above. Beyond the differences in shaft lengths, the difference in damping rates confirm they are in-fact valved differently, and they certainly have different ride characteristics on my truck.

 

Great info. Thanks

 

xxx on the Bilsteins. I put a set of 5100's on my truck about a month ago at 62,000 miles. I also installed the matching steering stabilizer. What a HUGE difference! Better ride and better handling.

 

Wow. I am not sure I know what you all are saying. I had to read between the lines & I think you all are saying that Bilstiens are good.

Thank you all for taking the time to help out.

 

STAY AWAY from Rancho. Put them on my truck and the dampening is terrible my worn out stockers were just as good. All contact with Rancho customer service has been terrible.