Bilstein Adjustable Shocks

[JerseySUP]

Has anyone installed (or looked into) the Bilstein 5100 shocks as a potential leveling/lift option? They are adjustable and provide 0 - 2.3” of lift in the front and 0 - 1.8” in the rear. Looks like a solid option for whose who want to level/raise both front and rear. I am interested to see if anyone has any personal experience.

Front:

Bilstein B8 5100 (Ride Height Adjustable) 0-2.3" Front Lift Shocks for 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Door 2WD/4WD

Rear:

Bilstein B8 5100 (Ride Height Adjustable) 0-1.8" Rear Lift Shocks for 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Door 2WD/4WD

 

[olyelr]

Im not sure how those could even possibly work in the rear. Its either air bags or coils springs out back…no coilover shock setup like that.

 

[TxSam]

Im not sure how those could even possibly work in the rear. Its either air bags or coils springs out back…no coilover shock setup like that.

I'm not completely sure myself, I assumed the rear is some sort of coil-over type set-up. Is it not? I assumed the shock runs down the middle of the rear spring in the back. I should look at it more closely.

If it works like the front, the Bilstein 5100 shocks have an adjustable spring perch built in that the factory rear spring sits on to give you additional lift. Not sure what it does to the rear suspension geometry though. On the front it requires a re-alignment of the frontend. The higher the lift the more adjustment is needed. Like I said though, not sure how that works on the rear.

 

[olyelr]

I'm not completely sure myself, I assumed the rear is some sort of coil-over type set-up. Is it not? I assumed the shock runs down the middle of the rear spring in the back. I should look at it more closely.

If it works like the front, the Bilstein 5100 shocks have an adjustable spring perch built in that the factory rear spring sits on to give you additional lift. Not sure what it does to the rear suspension geometry though. On the front it requires a re-alignment of the frontend. The higher the lift the more adjustment is needed. Like I said though, not sure how that works on the rear.

Haaaaa i will be honest, i am not completely sure what is back there either. Didnt really even pay any attention when putting the leveling kit on my wifes ‘22 high country. Thought it was just a set of coils with separate shocks, but i will have to look.

 

[JerseySUP]

I'm not 100% sure either. However, these were recommended to me by a very large, reputable (but for now, nameless) 4x4 shop.

 

[olyelr]

Well i looked online at pics (wife isnt around to look at her vehicle) and they do indeed have a coilover shock type setup out back as well. So i dont see why these wouldnt work.

I initially thought they just had regular coil springs and separate shocks…that does not look to be the case with the pics i see online.

These should work just fine. I personally would not go much more than a few inches of added height though without dropping the center sections, as it may be difficult to get the alignment back into spec.

 

[olyelr]

Yep. Definitely a coilover shock in the rear too.

 

[TxSam]

Yep. Definitely a coilover shock in the rear too. View attachment 379707

Yep, looks like a suitable candidate for the Bilstein 5100's. Who's going to try it first?

I have them on my 2016 Ram and I have been very happy with them. While this would be my preferred route on the Yukon XL, it's going to be a good while before I get around to doing the swap.

 

[PsyZek]

Tempted to look into these as mine is an SLT and I couldn't option for the Mag Ride. Not to change the ride height but for a better feeling handling characteristics. I wonder if the parts are tuned to the SUVs or just a carry over from the trucks?

 

[olyelr]

Tempted to look into these as mine is an SLT and I couldn't option for the Mag Ride. Not to change the ride height but for a better feeling handling characteristics. I wonder if the parts are tuned to the SUVs or just a carry over from the trucks?

I wouldnt expect too much of a difference if handling. When i put the fox units on the wifes denali i couldnt hardly tell any noticeable difference at all.

 

[CASTLEDFW15]

I would strongly consider this just for the Bilstein name alone.

 

[Spacewrangler]

I would strongly not consider this just for the Bilstein 5100 design. Prior to having a 21 Tahoe HC, I had a GX460 that temporarily had Bilstein 5100's on the front. The collar perch design to give the lift is poorly designed as it just sorta clips in. Guys on the 4Runner/GX460/Toyota forums have had major failures with that design. I quickly went to Ironman fully adjustable coilovers on the GX460 after seeing all the horror stories.

If it's going to be just a pavement princess, Bilstein 5100's might be ok, but if it's actually going to do any light offroading, I would avoid them. Just my 2 cents.

 

[CASTLEDFW15]

Pavement Princes…….That’s funny. To me off road is a gravel roadway/driveway.

 

[TxSam]

I would strongly not consider this just for the Bilstein 5100 design. Prior to having a 21 Tahoe HC, I had a GX460 that temporarily had Bilstein 5100's on the front. The collar perch design to give the lift is poorly designed as it just sorta clips in. Guys on the 4Runner/GX460/Toyota forums have had major failures with that design. I quickly went to Ironman fully adjustable coilovers on the GX460 after seeing all the horror stories.

If it's going to be just a pavement princess, Bilstein 5100's might be ok, but if it's actually going to do any light offroading, I would avoid them. Just my 2 cents.

That is interesting to know. I had them on my Ram 1500 for 160K+ miles with no problem, set at the highest lift which is 2.8" on the Ram. Drove them in the mountains of Montana and a few other places that I would say easily qualify for light off-roading. I wouldn't call what I did serious off-roading - it may be to some I guess. Since the 5100's use some of the OEM parts, I suppose durability could be application specific. Like I said, I had no problems and I never heard of Ram owners having problems.

Concerning ride and handling behavior, again on the Ram, the difference was significant. I will be likely trying out the Bilstein 5100s on my Yukon when I get the time. I'm looking for a little lift and more firm handling.

 

[H1Chester]

I would strongly not consider this just for the Bilstein 5100 design. Prior to having a 21 Tahoe HC, I had a GX460 that temporarily had Bilstein 5100's on the front. The collar perch design to give the lift is poorly designed as it just sorta clips in. Guys on the 4Runner/GX460/Toyota forums have had major failures with that design. I quickly went to Ironman fully adjustable coilovers on the GX460 after seeing all the horror stories.

If it's going to be just a pavement princess, Bilstein 5100's might be ok, but if it's actually going to do any light offroading, I would avoid them. Just my 2 cents.

That is interesting to know. I had them on my Ram 1500 for 160K+ miles with no problem, set at the highest lift which is 2.8" on the Ram. Drove them in the mountains of Montana and a few other places that I would say easily qualify for light off-roading. I wouldn't call what I did serious off-roading - it may be to some I guess. Since the 5100's use some of the OEM parts, I suppose durability could be application specific. Like I said, I had no problems and I never heard of Ram owners having problems.

Concerning ride and handling behavior, again on the Ram, the difference was significant. I will be likely trying out the Bilstein 5100s on my Yukon when I get the time. I'm looking for a little lift and more firm handling.

I used to have a RAM, but mine was lowered... I was going to say the Bilstein 5100 shocks have a pretty high reputation with RAM owners.

 

[olyelr]

I used to have a RAM, but mine was lowered... I was going to say the Bilstein 5100 shocks have a pretty high reputation with RAM owners.

I have two rams. Read a lot about the bils leveling struts and never heard anything but praise. Certainty no issues with the retaining clip for different height settings.

 

[Kpwweb]

I would strongly not consider this just for the Bilstein 5100 design. Prior to having a 21 Tahoe HC, I had a GX460 that temporarily had Bilstein 5100's on the front. The collar perch design to give the lift is poorly designed as it just sorta clips in. Guys on the 4Runner/GX460/Toyota forums have had major failures with that design. I quickly went to Ironman fully adjustable coilovers on the GX460 after seeing all the horror stories.

If it's going to be just a pavement princess, Bilstein 5100's might be ok, but if it's actually going to do any light offroading, I would avoid them. Just my 2 cents.

The clip design is the same as factory-the factory uses clips on their strut spring perches on -15 up tahoes, suburbans, pickups.

I had 5100s on my last 2016 tahoe leveled for over 75k miles and through many rough construction sites—very rough. No problems.

 

[Nokturnal]

I’m getting Bilstein 5100’s for the front and back on my 21 Z71 Non Air Ride. Using the front adjust shock to eliminate front space in rough country 3.5 kit.

The backs are not in stock currently for a couple weeks so it’s just gonna be fronts until rears land. Even GM OEM shocks/struts were weeks out

 

[STORMIN08]

Curious to see what you think of the ride quality.
most dont realize how much stiffer the 5100 really is, most dont know to USE them either...they still put over a bump or dip and then complain about how stiff they are.

 

[TxSam]

I’m getting Bilstein 5100’s for the front and back on my 21 Z71 Non Air Ride. Using the front adjust shock to eliminate front space in rough country 3.5 kit.

The backs are not in stock currently for a couple weeks so it’s just gonna be fronts until rears land. Even GM OEM shocks/struts were weeks out

Will be interested to see what you think about the install and ride. Still thinking the 5100's are my preferred route for a moderate lift. Let us know what you think when it's done.