Bilstein 5100 highest lift perch VS lift pucks

[Dustin Jackson]

Right now I have Bilstein 5100s set at the “factory” level paired with Moog 81244 springs and lift pucks.

I am wondering what difference it would make if I removed the lift puck and set the Bilstein prong perch to the highest lift setting? Would it better to achieve my lift with the strut lift or just stick to the lift puck?

 

[blackelky]

The 5100s will ride rougher

 

[Trey Hardy]

Right now I have Bilstein 5100s set at the “factory” level paired with Moog 81244 springs and lift pucks.

I am wondering what difference it would make if I removed the lift puck and set the Bilstein prong perch to the highest lift setting? Would it better to achieve my lift with the strut lift or just stick to the lift puck?

My bilstein lift struts (5150s) I believe basically an adjustable 5100 shock and they rode like garbage imo I switched back to Monroe’s with a leveling kit within a week or two type way.

 

[Trey Hardy]

I’d keep the puck and not set the shock on the highest setting because it might make it ride rougher

 

[mikez71]

^^^this^^^ (originally blackelky's post)

Perch adjustment will preload the spring.
You would also have less droop.

For whatever reason, my truck rode better (than stock) after I installed leveling spacers. Not sure if I was hitting bumptstops or what...

 

[Dustin Jackson]

I have had the 5100s for a while now, only complaint is that my control arm setup does not allow the strut to fully extend and the upper ball joint is the limiting factor here. After the feedback here I will just keep things as they are for a few more years and then reevaluate the setup.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I have had the 5100s for a while now, only complaint is that my control arm setup does not allow the strut to fully extend and the upper ball joint is the limiting factor here. After the feedback here I will just keep things as they are for a few more years and then reevaluate the setup.

You don't find them uncomfortable over bumps and rough roads?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Marky Dissod I wouldn't say they are comfortable because they are off road shocks, they are designed for performance not comfort.

Backstory: When I first bought my Tahoe it had a clapped out lowering kit on it and it bottomed out all the time and was a genuinely terrible ride. After that I decided to build a suspension that would be heavy duty and handle anything I drive through and so in that regard I am very pleased with the quality of the ride.

If someone was looking for a comfortable ride I agree I certainly wouldn't recommend the 5100s.

 

[Marky Dissod]

@Dustin Jackson
What if that someone's three previous vehicles were Chevy Caprice 9C1s?
What if that same someone put Caprice 9C1 suspension parts on his Cadillac Fleetwood?
What if he also thought that his former 2012 Yukon XL handled ok-ish, but was still a wee lil bit too soft?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Marky Dissod I suppose it depends on what they are trying to do with it lol

How was your experience with the 5100s?

 

[Marky Dissod]

You first - especially since I've no experience with Bilstein 5100s; which is why I asked.
I've experience with 9C1-spec Bilstein shock absorbers on mid-'90s Caprice 9C1-LT1s.
LOVED them so much, I upgraded a Cadillac Fleetwood's suspension with 9C1-spec parts, including 9C1-Bilsteins.

I want to give my Z71 more lane-change-swerve-ability without sacrificing too much bad-road / off-road ability,
commensurate with how much time I spend on-road vs bad-road / off-road.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Marky Dissod Gotcha I couldn’t tell what angle you were you getting at lol

I have the 5100s paired with the moog HD springs front and back… and 2.5 inch lift pucks front and back and I run no front sway bar. I can take mountain freeway turns at 75mph no problem.

My shock and spring setup is fairly rigid so I think that’s why I can get away with not running a front sway bar.

Bilsteins are great, they have the 4600s which some trucks came from the factory with so that’s probably a better suite for most people but if people are looking for off-road performance the 5100 is probably the best you can get before you start getting up into Fox shocks or Kings

 

[Marky Dissod]

Marky Dissod Gotcha I couldn’t tell what angle you were you getting at

When I drive on-road, I drive as fast as (reasonably) possible, as slow as necessary, due in most part to considerable training and experience.
When I drive off-road, I do not drive as slow as possible, but I ain't in no rush either, largely due to a lack of training and experience vs on-road.

If you think the 5100s will suit a driver like me well, I'll consider the 5100 vs 4600 matter settled,
and start researching how to adapt the H2 swaybar to my Tahoe.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Marky Dissod I think you’ll be happy with them for what you’re doing. I’ve heard the Fox or King shocks are better but $400 I think the bilsteins are a good value.

Do you have expensive body roll? What’s your setup?

 

[Marky Dissod]

@Marky Dissod I think you’ll be happy with them for what you’re doing.
I’ve heard the Fox or King shocks are better but $400 I think the bilsteins are a good value.

Do you have expensive body roll? What’s your setup?

Presently, an '02 Tahoe Z71.
Goal is to improve on-road handling / agility / swerve. Must not lift it.
Will only lower one end to level it AFTER I get shocks & swaybars right.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Marky Dissod Have you thought about looking into PPV suspension? I understand they are lower and better at handling

 

[Marky Dissod]

@Marky Dissod Have you thought about looking into PPV suspension?
I understand they are lower and better at handling.

I have. However ...
Don't know if y'all consider deep / tall snow 'off-roading'? Most NYers do.
2 winters ago, the extra ground clearance came in very handy - so much so, that
I want to see how much the handling can be improved BEFORE I move on to lowering it.

To that end, I think swaybars and shocks are where I'll start.
Continental Terrain Contact H/T tires look promising.

 

[Trey Hardy]

I have had the 5100s for a while now, only complaint is that my control arm setup does not allow the strut to fully extend and the upper ball joint is the limiting factor here. After the feedback here I will just keep things as they are for a few more years and then reevaluate the setup.

uniball uca’s were a night and day difference in handling for me personally their well worth the money especially if paired with a nice set of coil overs to really take advantage of the extra travel