Installing and Reviewing the Bilstein 5100 Shocks on a 2018 Chevy Silverado 2500HD

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I've read the OE Rancho Shocks were prone to fail quickly on my truck and once I removed them, it was pretty obvious they needed to be replaced. After doing some research, a lot of people say these Bilstein 5100's are the way to go!
Model Numbers for the Bilstein Shocks
24-196468 Rears
24-253161 Fronts
21mm Bolts and Nuts to remove front and rear shocks
19mm lock nuts to replace front upper shock assembly
Rear Upper and Lower Bolts - 85 Ft-Pounds
Front Upper Bolts - 33 Ft-Pounds
Front Lower Bolts - 89 Ft-Pounds

[@sparklersfrom_nj2294]

Thanks for the video I did my rear shocks last week. Used a cam strap to hold it compressed to the right length as I’m 66 and not as strong as I used to be! It was easy to release the strap to the right length to get the bolt in.

[@DeathswingKettlebell]

Howdy friend. Thank you for this video. Quick and right to the point with the right words of explaining the job.

[@domeslacker]

I’m looking to swap mine out too. I got an ‘18 Sierra 1500 z71 with 100k that I just bought. Between the worn out ranchos and the 20” wheels I can feel every bump and imperfection on the roadway

[@brown1william]

Just used your video to replace mine on my 2015 2500. Thank you

[@jakestarr4718]

they probably don't bounce back as fast as they're different shock types... hydraulic shocks rely on the springs, gas shocks will push back faster from pressurized gas giving a more instant response. You can also change the springs and get different control setups. All in all a gas shock replacing a hydraulic is a huge difference no matter what brand they are

[@TexRedneck29]

Just out of curiosity where did you get the torque specs from? i ordered the 4600s for mine and I'm wondering if the torque specs are including in the packaging or if that's a GM spec? i want to make sure I get the proper torque on mine once I install them.

[@TodayIWorkOn]

Specs from Bilstein. It’s a different bolt from Bilstein compared to GM.

[@traderfjp]

Nice video. I like wrenching on my truck too. I ordered a 2023 LTZ with Z71 suspension. I'm thinking of swapping out the Rancho shocks on day one. What do you think?

[@TodayIWorkOn]

I like the Bilstein's better. If your Ranchos are fresh you might be able to sell them to offset costs.

[@traderfjp]

@@TodayIWorkOn Yeah. Sounds good. How do the Bilstein's ride on smooth highway pavement?

[@bigbeef8935]

I put them on my 2024 2500 LTZ, best thing you’ll ever do, how’d u order a 23? GM cancelled all 23 orders in January

[@optimuscrime608]

So you know GM cancelled your order then right? You’d know that if you actually ordered one 🤦🏻‍♂️😂

[@BlackHornetTactical]

Of course the bilstein will be stiffer theyre brand new. Your truck is from 2018. That shock has been on the truck for 5 years. They held up pretty well.

[@OscarRamos-ql4io]

You bought your truck new? Not sure if you mentioned it on the video?

[@TodayIWorkOn]

Purchased truck new in 2018.

[@xxlxpman]

Rancho gets a bad rap, I've used the 9000 on a couple vehicles with good success. They are a quality made shock right here in the USA.

[@gmatthewpaul]

Had the 9000 on 2 tacomas and they were great!

[@arlineberly2647]

I put ranchos on a ford ranger, I had no complaints with the ride quality but the welds on the ends were sketchy at best

[@chrisheritage6924]

Do you have a level kit on the front of the truck?

[@TodayIWorkOn]

No I do not. Since I trailer with it, I kept it stock everything.

[@BrianMac86]

Did you raise rear end for installation or leave it on the ground?

[@TodayIWorkOn]

Left it on the ground.

[@BrianMac86]

Thanks for the video. Was super easy to follow and got my shocks done with ease… except the last shock… it’s always the last one… they sent me wrong part number! Shock to some other truck- so 3/4 done now. 4th to follow soon. Just the rear made a huge difference!!

[@transammike212]

What was your mileage at when you did the swap?

[@TodayIWorkOn]

I really don’t log my fuel mileage on my truck, sorry.

[@NickRas625]

Great video. Why did you choose the 5100s over the 4600s?

[@TodayIWorkOn]

Quite a few on the FB forums said they were happy with the 5100's. I'm trailering for a few hours back and forth to pick up some tire machines tomorrow, we will see how they feel. So far they feel nice.

[@cadorseeliger3926]

​@@TodayIWorkOn are they worth it? The 4600s on other reviews said little more or just as stock.

[@thomasroseman575]

Is it a must to take wheels off the front

[@Mr.BodyByFisher]

no, actually it is a waste of time. turn your wheel deep to access

[@caseG80]

@@Mr.BodyByFisheryeah because removing a wheel takes so much time 😢

[@Mr.BodyByFisher]

How to say you know very little about AUTOMOTIVE mechanic work. On one side The time it takes for you to get the jack and jack up the truck and get your lug nuts unfasten and wheel off, position your jack stand, being you are are going to be working under a unsupported truck while achieving almost the same amount access to the shock as if you didn't remove the wheel, uninstall and replace the shock then mount the wheel and torque the lug nuts to spec. all 4 shocks could be replaced before you get one front shock done

[@LitUnionSparky]

@@Mr.BodyByFisher so I dont need to take the wheel off? Literally getting the shocks dropped off in a couple hours and want to change my shocks.

[@Mr.BodyByFisher]

yes you can@@LitUnionSparky

[@richardkertz9909]

Shops over charge. I guess they feel if they install this then they are missing out on higher jobs.

[@edhall4669]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGeahIiMfJ10aZI All I could think of during the test drive….

[@f5fstop]

I did not watch the end of the video so possibly you stated the miles on the Ranchos. However, shocks do wear! And the other thing to note, Ranchos are twin cylinder shocks, thus easier to compress even if brand new; that's why they give a different ride especially when hitting bumps. Bilsteins are mono, gas-fileld shocks, noted for a stiffer ride and hard to compress. So not impressed with your compressing a set of old, used Ranchos next to a new 5100 Bilstein. Not impressed at all with the video. And I will not I have bilsteins on my truck and have preferred them over Rancho just need to be fair in the comparison. THEY ARE differently designed shocks for different rides for different people.

[@TodayIWorkOn]

Interesting observation. After 10,000 miles on my Bilstein’s, I do like them a lot better and I feel like they do provide a better ride then the Ranchos ever did. The Ranchos were around 4.5 years old with 40,000 miles. They are a wear item like you said, but if you look at them, they aged very poorly by rusting out and I didn’t live in an area that gets a lot of snow. Most people agree they are sub par for the Silverado’s.

[@toyotabrony]

$800 bucks?? It’s a big waste of money. Those shock absorbers themselves, that’s separates from the springs are very easy and very sharp access to swap the shocks. Wow, saves u $800 bucks for that.