Getting Bilstein 5100's for front. Is upgrading rear shocks even worth it?

[Captain Insaino]

I've done a lot of reading, watched a lot of videos. I know the difference will be night and day for the ride in front. But what about the rear? I have the ZW7 Nivomats, decent shape, no leaks in the rear. I'm leveling the fronts. No extreme duty off road stuff, mostly highway driving with occaisional unmaintained dirt roads, soupy river roads, creek crossing, etc. I'm after the most comfortable, forgiving ride I can get without breaking the bank. Would upgrading the rear shocks be a dramatic enough difference in ride to be worth it?
Thanks in advance.

2015 Tahoe LT 4WD

 

[sspearsau]

While I cannot speak from experience, I am contemplating doing the same (5100s all around). The guy at 4WheelParts was of the impression that the rear shocks makes a huge difference on SUVs given the weights that the rears carry, compared to a truck that, unless hauling or towing, does not have much weight over the rear shocks.

Please post a review after you do the fronts!

 

[Captain Insaino]

Thanks, I will. I seriously dislike the ride stock. It handles the big stuff well, but it seems like I feel everything else. My 2002 Z71 was actually smoother. Install will be on the 26th.

 

[sspearsau]

I, too, am not a big fan of the ride. To me it feels like a boat that is constantly rocking.

What's further surprising is that every bump in the road sounds like it is in the backseat with a major thumping sound. Almost like the shocks bottom out (though I know they are not).

 

[Captain Insaino]

I am going to answer my own question in the original post. Yes. After getting the Bilsteins installed, all of the steering wheel feedback I was getting with the stock front shocks is gone. But now the contrast between front and rear is obvious. Especially when taking a speed bump faster than usual. The inherently bumpy ride I used to have is half gone. Can’t wait to do the rears. Would highly recommend the 5100s for an upgrade in ride quality and leveling.

 

[GreyStone]

How did the level come out? ~ Pics?

 

[Captain Insaino]

I could actually notice when I first stepped in the truck. I had to readjust my seat, LOL
Need to re-adjust the headlights tonight

 

[GreyStone]

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I could actually notice when I first stepped in the truck. I had to readjust my seat, LOL
Need to re-adjust the headlights tonight

Nice!!!..Are those 265/65s

 

[sd172]

275/65 r18s here.
On the first picture the 5100s are set to the highest position (4 out of 4), the tops of the front and the rear wheel wells are at 38 inches. The highway handling was slightly off compared to the stock.
On the second picture the 5100s are set to the 2 out of 4 position, the front sits at 36.5 inches. I would chose this configuration if you are regularly driving over 65.
P.S. The rear is stock and has the max tow air ride shocks.

 

[GreyStone]

275/65 r18s here.
On the first picture the 5100s are set to the highest position (4 out of 4), the tops of the front and the rear wheel wells are at 38 inches. The highway handling was slightly off compared to the stock.
On the second picture the 5100s are set to the 2 out of 4 position, the front sits at 36.5 inches. I would chose this configuration if you are regularly driving over 65.
P.S. The rear is stock and has the max tow air ride shocks.

View attachment 250924 View attachment 250925

Damn good lookin truck! The second pic sits really nice. I recently picked up a set of those same rims you guys have - found some take-offs on CL.

 

[Captain Insaino]

Nice!!!..Are those 265/65s

Yes, I went with Continental all terrains because I wanted something dead quiet and smooth riding that didn’t have a MPG penalty. Not the best off road tire, but I got what I was after.

 

[Captain Insaino]

275/65 r18s here.
On the first picture the 5100s are set to the highest position (4 out of 4), the tops of the front and the rear wheel wells are at 38 inches. The highway handling was slightly off compared to the stock.
On the second picture the 5100s are set to the 2 out of 4 position, the front sits at 36.5 inches. I would chose this configuration if you are regularly driving over 65.
P.S. The rear is stock and has the max tow air ride shocks.

View attachment 250924 View attachment 250925

I did notice it was a tad bit more sloppy at speed. Didn’t seem bad, but I haven’t tried any emergency maneuvers. I wonder how sketchy it would be? I’m sitting a tad higher in front, but just figured I would go up an inch when I did the rears. Maybe I will drop the front a notch

**Update: The more I drive the truck, the more I like the shocks. The slight bit of extra lateral sway in my mind is probably only limited to about the first half inch of travel in the shock.Then they bite down. Doesn’t feel sketchy at all. I’m going to keep the full 2 inch lift.**

 

[sspearsau]

For those that have installed, did the 5100s get rid of the boat rock now having the stiffer suspension? I’m still on the edge of doing it, as I’ve struggled to get a good idea of what to expect. I’m less concerned with the fact that it levels or can raise the front. I just want a better right.

I’ve got the 5100s on my truck and love them.

 

[Captain Insaino]

For those that have installed, did the 5100s get rid of the boat rock now having the stiffer suspension? I’m still on the edge of doing it, as I’ve struggled to get a good idea of what to expect. I’m less concerned with the fact that it levels or can raise the front. I just want a better right.

I’ve got the 5100s on my truck and love them.

mine still has the rock. I suspect most of it is from the rear. I hope raising the front didn’t add to it. It’s not so much a stiffer ride. I guess the best way to describe it is that instead of pogo sticking over an event, it is sort of like falling into it. it’s much more forgiving with the smaller stuff. Maybe less rebound on the bigger stuff.

 

[Captain Insaino]

On a sidenote with the leveling and trimming down of the air dam, I got what I was after for improving the clearance. Seems like maybe the transfer case is now the low point which now has a skid plate. I will see what the mpg penalty is soon.

**Update** Our high tech gas mileage guess o meter is exactly the same “best” of 23.1 mpg and an average of 18.5mpg before and after the trim, lift and hooks on two identical trips. Hard to believe...

 

[GreyStone]

Yes, I went with Continental all terrains because I wanted something dead quiet and smooth riding that didn’t have a MPG penalty. Not the best off road tire, but I got what I was after.

Nothin wrong with Conti's - they'll get the job done. Hey what do they call the color of your truck?

 

[Captain Insaino]

Nothin wrong with Conti's - they'll get the job done. Hey what do they call the color of your truck?

Tungsten Metallic

 

[Captain Insaino]

The alignment wasn’t off too bad at all. The correction wouldn’t be noticeable in driving. But it was just enough where it would eventually start wearing the outsides of the tires.

 

[GreyStone]

s

 

[sd172]

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**Update: The more I drive the truck, the more I like the shocks. The slight bit of extra lateral sway in my mind is probably only limited to about the first half inch of travel in the shock.Then they bite down. Doesn’t feel sketchy at all. I’m going to keep the full 2 inch lift.**

It was getting a little sketchy for me driving at the 80 mph speed limit with a strong head wind. But I also have the shortest PPV air dam, maybe that was making my combination less drivable.