BajaNomad

Bilsteins!

chuckie - 7-14-2017 at 12:28 PM

Wow! I put a set of Bilsteins on old Smokey, and what a major change for the better...Now we'll see how they last.......:o.

Howard - 7-14-2017 at 01:39 PM

How old did you say you are? At our age we don't worry about how long shocks will last! :biggrin:

ncampion - 7-14-2017 at 01:49 PM

Well, when you drive on Baja roads a lot, shock life is one of the things us "old guys" can still worry about.

I have always used Bilsteins on my GMC's and they really do make a difference and the life span is not bad at all.

[Edited on 7-15-2017 by ncampion]

[Edited on 7-15-2017 by ncampion]

chuckie - 7-14-2017 at 02:20 PM

Smokey has eaten 3 sets of Ranchos in a pretty short time....At around 600 bucks/set...Longer life is important....

Barry A. - 7-14-2017 at 06:57 PM

Had "Bilstein's" on my X-terra for 9 years with no problems, and they work great. On my Ford F-250 4x4 have Bilstein's on the front and KYB's on the rear-------both have been great for over 15 years over many of the dirt roads of Baja with a thousand lb camper on the truck.

BigBearRider - 7-14-2017 at 08:51 PM

Do you have the offroad/heavy duty Bilsteins?

What kind of bear is Smokey?

I've been looking to replace my rear shocks with Bilsteins for my Baja Buggy.

MMc - 7-14-2017 at 09:03 PM

I have melted Stock, Bilsteins, Ranchos, and KYB's, it's more the driver then the shock. The Fox's and King"and Radflo have been good, but with the roads getting paved the shocks are less important. A shock that is tuned to your driving and the conditions is a magical thing.

TMW - 7-14-2017 at 09:15 PM

I've had Bilstein 5100s on my Tacoma since 2011. I replaced the rears last year due to some oil leaking on the drivers side shock. It still felt good after taking it off but replaced it anyway and the other side too. I think part of the problem with it was that a couple of years ago I broke the top mount off on a Baja dirt road. I've since replaced the spring pack with a better setup and also the bump stops. There is no doubt that a remote reservoir shock is better but the 5100 is an excellent shock.

basautter - 7-15-2017 at 04:18 AM

I put Bilsteins on my 2004 F250 diesel a couple of years ago and it made a huge difference over stock. No more shuddering when stopping quickly on dirt roads!

chuckie - 7-15-2017 at 04:48 AM

Smoky is a 3/4 Ton 4wd Dodge Diesel..which gets a LOT of use as a real truck..I put 5100's on it. Has North of 300,000 miles on it, uses NO oil...Too many trips to Baja to count, Alaska a few times....Last tank topped off (yesterday) 20.6 mpg...

Bob and Susan - 7-15-2017 at 05:54 AM

chuckie...its time to "cash in the chips" and get a new truck

go look at them...new is better...after you cant take it with you...enjoy it today

no did-respect but its time to enjoy the rest of your life

chuckie - 7-15-2017 at 06:08 AM

Nah, Don't think so....If I was enjoying life any more I'd get arrested...

BooJumMan - 7-15-2017 at 07:06 AM

Similiar experience as TMW... the 5100's have leaked right at the bottom eyelet to oil housing area on several family and friends rigs.

pacificobob - 7-15-2017 at 08:25 AM

i have bilsteins on 3 rigs. i consider them ok shocks... for those who are unable to afford koni or fox.

chuckie - 7-15-2017 at 08:27 AM

Konis are junk...

pacificobob - 7-15-2017 at 08:37 AM

this is erudite observation was spawned from all that severe off roading in kansas?

chuckie - 7-15-2017 at 08:45 AM

No it is from seeing Konis fall apart on a number of race cars in 15 or 20Baja races, and from living in Baja for over 30 years...Whats your claim to fame?

David K - 7-15-2017 at 08:49 AM

Last year converted the stock Toyota TRD Bilstein shocks with the Bilstein 5100s, all around. The 5100 is quite a bit larger and the front ones are height adjustable (.85", 1.75" and 2.5" possible height adjustment). I got mine set at the first level lift.

The back end has Ride Rite Air Bags installed in place of the factory bump stops. This not only levels the ride, prevents bottoming-out, but can lift the back of the truck several inches. The rear 5100s are perfect for lifting applications for non-racing use.

The Ride Rites normally are inflated to 15 psi. With camping loads, I bump it up to 25-35 psi. It has a max psi of 100, but I think that could cause your axle to crack! No need for that much pressure.

Anyway, the 5100s are inexpensive compared to others yet have served me well, so far with so many thousands of Baja miles this year. I had rear 5100s on my 2005 Tacoma, too.

Old shocks (bad shape):


Air bags installed:




New 5100s




Front shock height adjustment:


An ad, with rounded-out figures:


Front shocks installed:


BigBearRider - 7-15-2017 at 09:34 AM

Bilstein 5100 appears to be the best option for Mercedes ML w163. I don't think King or Fox make shocks for the car.

I didn't know the front shocks were adjustable.

Bob and Susan - 7-15-2017 at 10:34 AM

david k...thise leaf springs look TINY

maybe invest in a bigger set ...

those are probably 1200 pound springs...the smallest they make

chuckie - 7-15-2017 at 10:39 AM

Hey! It's a tiny truck......

mtgoat666 - 7-15-2017 at 10:45 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
david k...thise leaf springs look TINY

maybe invest in a bigger set ...

those are probably 1200 pound springs...the smallest they make


Bigger stiffer springs generally make for harsher ride. He carries light camping-gear loads, so stock springs probably fine.

TMW - 7-15-2017 at 10:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider  
Bilstein 5100 appears to be the best option for Mercedes ML w163. I don't think King or Fox make shocks for the car.

I didn't know the front shocks were adjustable.


They are if you have a coil over spring like the Tacoma. For my GMC they are not.

TMW - 7-15-2017 at 11:04 AM

David has the airbags and can add air to adjust for the load he carries. I have an 8 leaf pack from Wheeler on my Tacoma. I seldom drive it when I'm home so the stiffer ride when unloaded is of no concern to me.

BajaTed - 7-15-2017 at 11:13 AM

IF and when (long down the road) the Bilstien shocks need rebuilding, the Bilstien factory shop is in Poway CA and the cost is reasonable. They build to custom specs also

woody with a view - 7-15-2017 at 11:55 AM

Or just pay $100/each for a new one every 100k miles.

willardguy - 7-15-2017 at 12:05 PM

we sure left a trail of blown 5100's on "that" road! (camburg lifted E150) im told the newer generation are sturdier?

pacificobob - 7-17-2017 at 07:01 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chuckie  
No it is from seeing Konis fall apart on a number of race cars in 15 or 20Baja races, and from living in Baja for over 30 years...Whats your claim to fame?


30 years in baja! if that doesn't make one an expert on all things automotive i doubt anything would. i stand corrected!

chuckie - 7-17-2017 at 07:20 AM

Expert a t breaking stuff for sure, stay well...

bajatrailrider - 7-20-2017 at 06:29 PM

Few years back did the pole line trip with you guys. Had new heavy Duty KYBs on the front of my Nissan Diesel. After the trip both shocks blow out. Have used those shocks on other off road bugs never a problem. So I bought Bilsteins I was disappointed when I opened the new box. They where real wimpy compared to the KYBs.Even the shock shaft way smaller Diameter. Low and behold they work like a million bucks so far so good.

mtgoat666 - 7-20-2017 at 07:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
Few years back did the pole line trip with you guys. Had new heavy Duty KYBs on the front of my Nissan Diesel. After the trip both shocks blow out. Have used those shocks on other off road bugs never a problem. So I bought Bilsteins I was disappointed when I opened the new box. They where real wimpy compared to the KYBs.Even the shock shaft way smaller Diameter. Low and behold they work like a million bucks so far so good.


Bigger is often not better. That's what she said.

Ken Cooke - 7-20-2017 at 10:47 PM

My MX-6 rear adjustable monotube rear passenger side shock blew a seal after running the Pole Line Road with my Jeep loaded down. That $100 shock lasted a full 6 months on the road before one serious off-road trek blew it's seals out. I'd like to try the Rubicon Express monotube resi's made by Bilstein one day... Maybe I can blow them up, too.

chuckie - 7-21-2017 at 02:33 AM

Who makes the MX-6?

Ken Cooke - 7-21-2017 at 11:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chuckie  
Who makes the MX-6?


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