Bilstein 5100 upgrade

We saw after reviewing the footage that the rear shocks were up side down! Just incase you guys saw that! Figured I’d let you all know that we know!!

[@scolwell720]

Installed the rear last week. What a difference! My wife says it is a much better ride too!

[@elbigboy123]

I usually skip the video forward to where it catches my attension but I watched the whole video, it was entertaning , relaxing and informative, not over the top trying to hard, I also just orderd all 4 beilstein 5100 shocks, their on their way on to my 06 Silverado,

[@southernchampiongarage]

I really appreciate it! Thank you for watching and I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks!!

[@craigstephens4318]

Used videos like this to replace my rear shocks yesterday. That was really easy. Gotta same some money to replace the front ones -- they're nearly twice as expensive, plus the tension tool.

[@pat14lang]

Just purchased a ‘17 LTZ Z71 4x4. Looking to upgrade to Bilstein 5100’s. Rancho have always been shoty on every vehicles i have owned. I’ve used Rancho RS5000’s and 9000XL’s….now I always go with Bilstein.

[@davidcrump8664]

The rears are actually on upside down. Lots of people make this mistake. If you read online forums or contact Bilstein directly, they say these should be installed boot down. Bilstein says always pay attention to the logo, as it should always be installed appearing right side up. Not sure how much difference it makes in performance, but thought you should know.

[@southernchampiongarage]

Yeah I appreciate it man we didn’t know that but I appreciate it

[@jewllake]

@@southernchampiongarage I struggled with that also. But the name should not be upside down when installed properly, so in this case, boot down. :)

[@Mistah_J_786]

@@southernchampiongarage yea Made the same mistake when I originally installed the rear shocks I had to call Bilestein and a representative told me that either way you put them is fine but they are supposed to be installed with the boot down.

[@southernchampiongarage]

Thanks for the info!

[@joelthomas4294]

If there monotube then they’re fine that way.

[@notgey7050]

Beautiful truck

[@ronh9384]

Nice looking truck.

[@LunkMaster]

Great lookin truck brother!

[@larrywhite4121]

Great video man

[@MrAmador82]

Great video! I just got a set of these installed on my 2015 Pro4X. Only been a few days. Riding good so far. My alignment seems to be good so far. Had a slight vibration when I drove it out of the shop but stopped right away. Anyone else here installed these on a Titan?

[@bigbeef8935]

No we’re not gay

[@googlemail6996]

Leave the plastic strap on the rear shocks until they are mounted and then cut them. That’s why they are on there.

[@MegaRich1981]

Beautiful truck. I have a stock 2018 Z71 and was just wondering what setting I should be on if I get those shocks and no level block on front. Also, what GM wheels are those and what size tire. Thank you sir

[@Adam-zq7iw]

Your video could not have come at a better time. I also have a 2017 LTZ Z71 midnight edition with stock 20’s wrapped in 295/55/20. I bought the truck with what appears to only be a 1” spacer and the stock Rancho’s a few years ago and it’s time to replace the shocks. I do Bilstein 5100 is the route I’m going but wanted a little more height and leveling. IfI understand in your comments, you have 3” top strut spacer and 2” (which would be a 1” lift) in the rear, correct? Your truck looks great and just the right stance without over-doing it and looks like the setup I’m trying to achieve. Can you measure center of wheel to bottom of fender well for front and rear? It would be a huge help. Thanks in advance.

[@CrashOutCatfishing]

I got $20 says your a cop. 😂

[@joshj9441]

Maybe 😏

[@Lakernation874]

Get some power tools ! Great video had me 😂

[@WethepeopleFreedom76]

Those Allen bolts are supposed to be your new studs they screw into the leveling block from the bottom.and the stock bolts on the top hat get bolted to down on the leveling block. someone installed the leveling kit like that for me and I had them fix it.

[@PhilRuybal]

So I have a 2 inch level on mine now, if I take the level off and set the front strut on the 3rd ring, it should be good?

[@joedinazarino]

Just the good ol boys

[@motoxrich1]

I have a level kit in the front too. Any reason you left level vs going to setting 4 on the shock?

[@bigbeef8935]

It’s sad gm still uses them cheap Ranchos, I swapped them for these same shocks on my 22 Trail boss LT omg what a difference! Bilsteins all the way. If u have a new Silverado order these immediately, you’ll be glad u did. The Hop is gone and ride’s amazing. The way it should from the factory

[@Alex1234845]

Does it ride as soft as stock? Heard these Bilsteins are a lot Firmer than stock and im not sure I'd like that

[@4Cabin]

I'm told you must change out the upper control arms as well in order to properly lift/level the AT4 and Trail Boss front end. Bielstein sells those larger upper control arms as well does Ready Lift. If you lift/level the front AT4/Trail Boss without up grading the UCA, it puts the front drive at a permeant new angle that can damage the CVs and other frontend components. The GMC dealer warned me about this. They will install a front level kit on the 1500's but just not on-AT4/Trail Boss trucks because GM wont allow them to change out the UCA. Has anyone else researched this and seeing/hearing same?

[@showmartinez3460]

So i have a 2008 gmc sierra 1500. I have a 2.5 inch block level in the front only. Not a spacer its actual block on bottom of front strut. Can i put the 5100 on top of tht level block or just get rid of level block and only use the 5100s at the tallest setting?

[@SmokingTheKush1]

So if you took your 3” spacer out you could adjust the shock to highest setting and you cv would be at a good angle?

[@DieselMike]

Yes. That would be the preferred way.

[@braxtonsdad75]

So you also have a leveling kit as well ? And which one

[@michelvidana658]

I have stock suspension in the front and im about to install those struts. Should i got to the highest settings on mine since everything is stock to level out the front. I already have the rear bilstein 5100 hundreds installed

[@southernchampiongarage]

Yes I would go to the highest if you want it level. With it stock currently you will be good.

[@pbugbee58]

What is a long term review with the 5100’s and the strut spacer at the top? I’m looking to do this same setup

[@southernchampiongarage]

Hey man sorry for the late response I try and respond to everyone’s comment and just let time get by me!! The truck is doing great have no issues with it and it rides so good! Couldn’t be happier with the setup! If you have any questions just let me know! 🤘🏼

[@13salinaspride]

How do you know what to put the rings at? I got like 7.5 lift in front and 3 in rear

[@robertoarteaga7152]

I have a 2017 gmc sierra and I put the fox 2.0 cognito gave me a 3 inch lift. but it had magnaride suspension so I had to buy a bypass so my truck speed wasn't 86 mph.

[@michaelcastellanos1072]

Hey man I have the exact same truck and have been wanting the same kit you put on. Do the fox shocks fox directly in place of the magneride shocks?

[@robertoarteaga7152]

@michael castellanos yes they fit perfectly but you may need to buy a bypass for the magnaride because the fox 2.0 doesn't have it.

[@prchewwin23]

Has anyone cut their front bump stops out? To prevent the A-arm from hitting it.

[@jrc0004]

ATTENTION EVERYONE! IF you are going to put a leveling kit on your 1500 Silverado (2-2.5-mine was 2.5 in the front) you need to purchase the aftermarket upper control arms in order to maintain the proper CV shaft angle and to avoid the bump stop issue. The stock control arms are not meant to be used with a level kit and will put your CV shaft at a bad angle that can cause failure (esp. off road and over extending your suspension) and premature wear at the least. With my 2018 I installed the Bilstein 5100's, with 2.5 inch leveling kit, and purchased the proper upper control arms and everything was lined up perfect with no alignment issues at all and rode great and smooth until 100MPH. May as well do it right the first time. (PS the rear shock is upside down). But, you do live and learn.

[@SmokingTheKush1]

Did you have an actual level kit or did you buy the 2.5” front 1”rear option for the bilstein

[@kevinkelly9303]

I have a 2017 gmc sierra 1500 whit a ready lift 4inch lift. and i noticed i have a inch and a half drop down difference from driver side to Passenger side in the back

[@southernchampiongarage]

It kind of sounds like a blown out rear shock. If you see both sides have rear blocks it most likely is a blown rear shock.

[@rjpacheco2195]

So right now I have a 2017 GMC Sierra with a 3in block on top of the factory strut, everything i have is bone stock. I’m really wanting to do this set up but I’m questioning on what I should do, do I take off the spacer on the strut whenever I change out the shocks? I like the way the truck sits but it’s just a little squatted in the back which is kind of an eye soar, I want to keep the same level but just a tad lower in the front so it’s completely level, I don’t care if it’s a bit taller in the front I just don’t want it to be as bad as how it is now, how many rings should I put on to keep it as level as possible with the back? (Is it .85 lift per ring?)

[@southernchampiongarage]

I personally only installed the Bilstein for the ride. We left the 3” block on top of the strut and set the ring on level 2 which caused vibration issues. The CV axles were at horrible angles. Personally doing it over again I would leave the block and just install the Bilstein at the lowest setting. As far as leveling I had a 1” block in the rear which made mine sit level. If you leave the blocks and try any setting other than the lowest ring, it sucks to have to take them back out and compress, etc. Lots of work!!

[@rjpacheco2195]

@@southernchampiongarage how’s the ride with the block on and the strut on the lowest setting?

[@southernchampiongarage]

@@rjpacheco2195 Going from the rancho shocks and struts to the Bilstein was worth the money spent and wrench time. Hitting a bridge lip or small pot hole felt like hitting a brick wall prior to installing them. I think you will like them! Of course everyone beat us over the head about installing the rears upside down but personally I didn’t want the boot of the shock near the ground. I occasionally went in the woods and didn’t want to tear a boot from a random stick or something. It had no effect in the truck riding different either, your choice there tho.

[@rjpacheco2195]

@@southernchampiongarage and the ride up front with the 5100’s and the block on top of the strut, how’s that so far man?

[@southernchampiongarage]

I rode it until I traded the truck in on the 21’ GMC. It rode great! No issues.

[@Stop_the_cap311]

At the end you still installed a strut spacer on top of the bilstein strut?

[@southernchampiongarage]

Yes. We actually I don’t think got to mention in the video (can’t remember) if we put the bilstein adjustment back to zero. I originally set it on the second setting, but we got bad vibrations in the wheel. I took everything back out and placed it back at the lowest setting on the strut. I just left the leveling block in. The struts are designed to do away with the blocks if you choose to. We were originally going for a better ride quality over the rancho, which we achieved.

[@Stop_the_cap311]

@@southernchampiongarage nice thanks a lot for the reply.

[@southernchampiongarage]

Your welcome! Oh also forgot to tell you after we dropped the shocks back to stock we replaced the upper control arms! We had a lot of vibration and we replaced them with Ready lift upper control arms and it fixed the vibration

[@warbird87]

Why keep the strut spacers on? That defeats the purpose of buying the adjustable struts. If you would have gotten rid of them, set the struts to setting 4, you would have retained the same lift and avoided the vibration and control arm issue.

[@DieselMike]

⤴This.⤴ Those spacers are a quick and dirty way to level a truck for appearance only. They pre compress the coil which limits your downward travel and causes a rougher ride. The adjustable struts (or full coil overs) are the preferred method as you get a much better ride and full upward and downward travel. Adding the two systems together make no sense.

[@anthonymorales3006]

@@DieselMikejust what I needed to hear

[@DieselMike]

@@anthonymorales3006 See? If you dig deep enough into the bowels of the interweb, you can actually find some useful information! Thank You!

[@tedbear6012]

How are they doing? I heard some people saying they wore out fast?

[@southernchampiongarage]

They are doing awesome! Ours lasted a good little while i would recommend it!

[@ecdrush]

what size tires are on the truck?

[@nicholasaldama7080]

Hahaha don't cut the straps on the rear shock. Install the top side then cut the strap and slide in the bolt for the bottom. You don't need to jack up your truck

[@raffieldbrandon4027]

How does the truck ride after the bilstein, and have you had any issues ?

[@southernchampiongarage]

The truck rides great haven’t had any issues with it and definitely a lot better than the ranchos ever rode!

[@raffieldbrandon4027]

Did you set the bilsteins to the stock ride height with leveling kit spacer

[@southernchampiongarage]

Yes, to keep the CVC shafts front being in such of a bad angle.

[@rjpacheco2195]

@@southernchampiongarage is the stock ride night the first ring or no rings at all?

[@joshj9441]

@@rjpacheco2195 It has to have the ring on but it’s at the lowest slot on the strut. The spring seat will set on top of that ring. If memory serves me the strut come with the ring on the lowest setting from the factory. If you look at about 1:22 of the video and pause it you can see the ring setting is at the lowest.

[@themoo908]

Would you happen to still have the ranchos?

[@southernchampiongarage]

Naw man we got rid of them!

[@themoo908]

Cool, man.

[@vaughncanter7513]

up side down rear

[@Vishal-rz6qr]

What is tire brand and size you have on

[@southernchampiongarage]

285/55/22 Nitto trail grappler

[@castleclubclipz]

Is the ride on the Bilsteins more harsh at all?

[@southernchampiongarage]

No it’s a lot better ride than the stock setup! 🤘🏼

[@castleclubclipz]

@@southernchampiongarage Awesome! Thank you!!

[@dailylifethings9980]

next time keep the strap on and it works just great

[@JasonY02]

Your truck is a 6.2 right ?

[@southernchampiongarage]

No it’s a 5.3!

[@tremaynemoore6944]

I have that same truck, how do you have your tint all the way around?

[@SmokingTheKush1]

Find a place near you that installs window tint, shouldn’t cost more then 300$ to black out truck

[@conorreavey5960]

These are actually upside down. They’re supposed to be boot down

[@southernchampiongarage]

Yea we have heard that from a lot of people but the still ride the same so there’s really no difference in the boot being up or down! Appreciate you letting us know tho!

[@conorreavey5960]

@@southernchampiongarage no problem. I’m just worried about them potentially failing on you. I’ve heard issues when they’re not positioned like they’re supposed to. Just a heads up.

[@southernchampiongarage]

@@conorreavey5960 I gotcha man! Appreciate you giving us a heads up!

[@nicholasaldama7080]

You should have removed the spacers on the front

[@vincefairleigh6899]

Shocks don’t increase ride height, although the Bilsteins look a bit longer so that would give you an extra inch or so of droop, but watch your rear brake cable, it might need to be longer?

[@cohibadream]

What size tires are on it in this video? I have the same wheels.

[@joshj9441]

285/55/22 Nitto Trail Grapplers. At full lock they scrubbed the plastic piece on the front bumper, so we trimmed 1/4” or so on each side in a diagonal starting from the bumper down towards the ground to fix that. Of course the inner fender area is the carpet type material and was bumping on both sides on the cab side, so we trimmed maybe 1/4” of that too. Just a tip on trimming, get a oscillating tool and it makes a very precise trim!

[@lawncare504]

It states not for 22inch wheels

[@rroche10]

Did these raise your truck at all?

[@southernchampiongarage]

The rear no, the front “will”, if you choose to. I had a leveling block on top of the strut, so I set the Bilsteins at the very first ring on the new struts. If you go much higher with a leveling kit on your cv shaft boots will be toast soon. It will look great, but those shafts are not cheap. Overall, the lift for me was the same, but my ride quality was great!! They ride much better than stock.

[@rroche10]

@@southernchampiongarage ok thanks. I have a 4” lift on my truck and was just wondering if these shocks wood raise it more.

[@joelthomas4294]

@@southernchampiongarageso I have a 3 inch leveling kit on my 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 LD, if I leave the Bilstein front struts at factory then I will have the same height 3 inch height??

[@davidhagelberg2631]

Best what not to do video ever. Rear shocks go boot down and don’t affect ride height. Measure from the ground on a level surface not from the top of the tire. I have the same setup, put the ring on the top setting and got 1 1/2 in of lift in the front with no issues. Is it a soft ride, no, it rides like it’s supposed to, like a truck.

[@southernchampiongarage]

Thanks! See reply from Josh Jernigan. Unfortunately technical issues are not allowing for comments from my account - @DavidHagelberg From Josh J: Hey thanks for clearing that up AGAIN…if you “read” you will see that the boot issue, upside down mount, blah…has been addressed and beat to death and acknowledged!! Is it a soft ride, YES, compared to the rancho crap shocks. To each their own though…if you don’t like it, don’t watch it…simple!! Not beating you up but like we all have done around the age of 4-5 started wiping our asses and occasionally got a little crap on our fingers. The only way to learn is get to wiping…sometimes is not as clean as others would like. And not a single was given!

[@joshj9441]

Comments aren’t working for me - see Southern Champion

[@EnderXeno1983]

GM uses metric…

[@garytindal7169]

I did the 5100 and for the money it’s a waste. Not any better that stock shocks and they are three times more money.