Have a 2001, 3 inch Zone lift with Zone nitro shocks, and running 31x10.50s.

Reallllly not happy with the Zone shocks, had em for about 6 months now. Super firm and not a pleasant ride. Rear leafs have an extended shackle and are currently at the proper 45 degree angle, front coils might be a little firmer than usual but something is up. Thinking shocks.

I hear nothing but good things about Bilstein, just wondering if the 5100s would be a proper match on my particular setup.

Thanks in advance,
XJM

 

Yes.

Next question please. haha

 

I'll go against the grain here and say no..

I have them on my jeep, and have NOT been impressed. Seriously, the 5 yr old rustys shocks I replaced with them rode better.

I had bilsteins on my dually, and they were great which is why I went the route I did....these now, not so much.

Maybe I got a bad set...who knows.

 

Sheesh, there's one in every crowd, LOL

I love my 5100's. After installing them, I was kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

Yours is the first time I've heard anything negative on them...dunno, maybe a bad set, who knows...

 

I've heard of a few...but it's not the norm.

 

I've had them for a few years now. I loved them when I first put them on but recently I've felt like they're showing their age.

One thing to remember is that they're still just mid price range shock. They're great for the price but they're nothing crazy.

Its all about the valving on them. A phone call to a Bilstein sales rep to ask for a recommendation might be your best option to ensure you're buying the correct shock for your application.

 

I love the 5100s as well.

 

It's the Zone coils. You went from 150# springs to 240# springs. I went down this same road trying to make the Zone kit not so harsh. Added CADs, 5100s, shackle relocation, rear shock relocation. What finally fixed it after all that? replacing the coils with RE 4.5" coils. All of those addons helped, considerably, but nothing compared to the coil swap.

 

XJM,

Obviously you're going to get different opinions on this one. I'm in the "Yes" camp, but, as I always say, everybody's needs and expectations are different and, perhaps more importantly, all your geometry must be correct also.

I'll second the call to Bilstein for valving input.

I'm running RE's 240lb spring on the front w/ other components for proper geometry and I love how it rides and handles compared to the 180lb Rusty's coils I had on it previously. Front tires bounced around too much for my tastes. I like them to stay planted and tracking.

Unfortunately, you're probably just going to have to try them to find out. If you decide they're not for you, you won't have any difficulty selling them.

Let us know how it works out for you.

 

+1 to all replies, thanks guys. Looks like the 5100s will work nicely.

Is that the case? I knew the coils and springs were probably on the heavy duty side, but that's a massive difference. I wish they specified it a bit better on their product page for new guys like myself. I think if I get a bigger front bumper and a tire rack bumper for the rear, that extra weight would make things even nicer still. Thanks for the input man.

 

Actually, I got to thinking (I know, bad idea huh).....anyway, I put the bilsteins on at the same time I went from 3" to 4.5", and I have short arms with no drop brackets, so that may account for part of it.

I still am not impressed, but they may not be as bad as I thought......

 

i put some on my dd. 15k miles and they are junk. the jeep bobs around endlessly on the highway. they were awesome for 10k miles or so. i am disappointed. if i wasn't honest i'd sell them. they look great and have no damage, but act like a hoopty with 0 shock control on the road. i am throwing them in the trash can when i replace them.

 

I'LL TAKE THEM IF YOU'RE THROWING THEM OUT!!!
pM ME AND i'LL PAY FOR SHIPPING.

 

I had a similar problem with short arms. no matter what you add to those things it's still going to ride like a dump truck until you get long arms. long arms + cheap white body shocks will have more ride comfort than short arms + x&y expensive coils and shocks. cant blame bilstein for crappy jeep suspension, or expect night/day changes out of an $80 shock

 

Didn't expect night & day changes, but I DID expect them to ride AT LEAST AS WELL as the 5+ yr old ones that I replaced.

I also read numerous reviews & reports from people with the same crappy suspension I have, that said they were great......


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