Bilsteins

[Mossy]

It's about that time for shock/strut replacement on my 04 F150 so I've been doing a little research.  It seems quite a few folks are running the Bilstein 5100's height adjustables.  As of right now I have a les schwab brand level kit up front so I was thinking of yanking that out and replacing with the Bilsteins to get a new shock as well as maintain a leveled front.  Does anyone have these on their rigs with any input? 

[KFhunter]

good choice - if you got the little bit of extra coin to put on a better shock it's money well spent.

[irishevox]

BILSTEIN ARE GREAT EDLEBROCK MAKES A GREAT SHOCK/STRUT MOUNT AS WELL... MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOME AIR TOOLS AND IT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER AND SAVE TIME.

[syoungs]

I run dual bilsteins on the front of my f250, its overkill but they were already there when I bought it. I like em enough to buy 6 more here pretty soon. (backs got em to)

I ran em on my old tacoma and loved em.

[predatorpro]

I run dual bilsteins on the front of my f250, its overkill but they were already there when I bought it. I like em enough to buy 6 more here pretty soon. (backs got em to)

I ran em on my old tacoma and loved em.

hey bilsteins should have a lifetime warranty...go get free ones!

[syoungs]

I run dual bilsteins on the front of my f250, its overkill but they were already there when I bought it. I like em enough to buy 6 more here pretty soon. (backs got em to)

I ran em on my old tacoma and loved em.

hey bilsteins should have a lifetime warranty...go get free ones!

I had no idea they had a lifetime warranty! research/save money mode engaged!

[syoungs]

nope. no warranty. the 5100s are only covered 90 days. mine arent really worn out, they just have a slight oil slick on em, pretty normal really. but they are no longer chrome, and I can thave that now can I 

[trophyhunt]

Mine have leaked all the fluid out on my back ones, I live in Bonney lake, I was wondering if anyone in the area knows where to take them and if they are worth getting rebuilt?? Don't know the model, I have a gmc 2500 heavy duty with 6'' lift if that tells you what type of shock might be on there. The are bilsteins.

[jackelope]

Buy some KYB shocks And you will be money ahead.

[Mossy]

I run dual bilsteins on the front of my f250, its overkill but they were already there when I bought it. I like em enough to buy 6 more here pretty soon. (backs got em to)

I ran em on my old tacoma and loved em.

It seems like a lot of people like the bilsteins but I'm hoping they absorb more bumps and potholes in the road than my oem shocks and my leveling kit in the front. My truck almost gets away from me with my current setup. I still want to get away from having a big rake in the truck so I figured this would hopefully take care of both.
Did you have the ride height adjustable ones in the front?  How did they compare to the stock shocks?

[syoungs]

The Tacoma handled great with them, but did ride pretty stiff as I had a spacer lift and blocks in the rear. Rode excellent when loaded down for camping or hunting. I'd do it over again in a heartbeat.

The f250 also rides stiff empty, it is leveled 3" which cause it to have a saggy butt, so I tossed in s rancho add a leaf, even though it rides stiff empty, it won't knock your fillings out on washboard, it handles excellent, and the shocks seem to work well no matter what I'm towing or hauling.
As far as potholes go, I do my best to avoid em, and don't drive to crazy, though I have hit some whoppers going 50+ a handeful of times and had no issues keeping it under control, even hauling a camper or towing my boat.

[thinkingman]

I have 5100's and think they're great.
I did not buy them for height adjustment.
When you pre-load the springs, you end up with a stiffer ride.
Leave them at their stock setting and they're awesome.
Much better than the crap Toyota foists on the public.

[JLS]

Factory shocks are not even in the same league as Bilsteins.  I have used them and they are very good.  As Jackelope suggested, KYBs are also very good.  I have a set of Monomaxs on my Ram 2500.  You can find them for about 55 bucks a shock if you shop around. 

[Johnb317]

If you've got Bilstiens and they are toast they will rebuild them for you for about 80.00 
Problem is what do you drive in the meantime. 

[syoungs]

If you've got Bilstiens and they are toast they will rebuild them for you for about 80.00 
Problem is what do you drive in the meantime.

Ill just leave one shock per side one