Comparing truck suspension

[buck91]

Well, wife's '18 F150 will be turning 100k soon which means I'll have a plausible reason to upgrade from the OE dampers. I've had Bilstein 5100 on my old F150 for over a decade and love them but wondering if thats still the best options for the price these days? Looking at the following possibilities

1. Bilstein 5100. This is my default. They have treated me very well and I am happy with prior vehicles.
2. Bilstein 4600. Couple bucks more expensive for some reason. I believe they are a little less firm otherwise on par with 5100?
3. Eibach Pro Truck OE replacement. Havent seen any real feedback on these
4. Eibach Pro Truck Sport. Seems opposite of the Bilsteins with PROgressive damping? More money.
5. Rough Country. I dont really need to lift or level, though I might utilize a small level if all other factors are the same. Have heard these are alright but otherwise not sure.



This is a truck that sees 99.9% grocery/city/highway duty with some two tracking a few times each summer. Any suggestions?

 

[CKN]

Well, wife's '18 F150 will be turning 100k soon which means I'll have a plausible reason to upgrade from the OE dampers. I've had Bilstein 5100 on my old F150 for over a decade and love them but wondering if thats still the best options for the price these days? Looking at the following possibilities

1. Bilstein 5100. This is my default. They have treated me very well and I am happy with prior vehicles.
2. Bilstein 4600. Couple bucks more expensive for some reason. I believe they are a little less firm otherwise on par with 5100?
3. Eibach Pro Truck OE replacement. Havent seen any real feedback on these
4. Eibach Pro Truck Sport. Seems opposite of the Bilsteins with PROgressive damping? More money.
5. Rough Country. I dont really need to lift or level, though I might utilize a small level if all other factors are the same. Have heard these are alright but otherwise not sure.



This is a truck that sees 99.9% grocery/city/highway duty with some two tracking a few times each summer. Any suggestions?

Based on what you described I would go with the 4600s.

 

[f355spider]

I've only used the 4600. I have over 240k miles on the current set. No leaks, no loss of damping. Still ride great. Used on a Tundra for commuting, barn runs (hauling hay bails) and occasionally pulling a horse trailer.

I couple friends tried Rough Country on an SUV and a pick up. Both road very harshly (too much compression damping), and ended up with Bilstein 4600s. I rode in them both before and after and what convinced me the Bilstein was the way to go.

 

[burbguy82]

go with what you know.

 

[factorytuned2012]

I would go Rancho

 

[AZjeff]

go with what you know.

+1
Any of the off-road oriented brands tend to be over-damped for a stock truck. (Rancho, Rough Country etc)

 

[Rand]

my rancho 9000's blew in under 2 years but that was awhile ago.

 

[marc1]

I used the Bilstein 4600 series on my 1996 Chevrolet K1500 and 2006 GMC Sierra 1500, both with the Z71 suspension package and was really happy with them. Same as you mostly highway with the occasional off road picnic jaunt. When it comes time to replace the Tacoma shocks, they will be my first choice.

 

[barkingspider]

5100s

 

[tom slick]

I have the same truck and installed Rancho and don't like them because the front has added preload by design so it is a stiff ride. I am installing 5100 or Eibach next, probably Eibach because they are slightly softer than the 4600and will order them assembled with Eibach springs.

From what I have read 4600 are softer in the front but stiffer in the rear that 5100

 

[burbguy82]

I would go Rancho

I would agree with this, 10 years ago. I got some Ranchos a few years ago, 2 blew with in one year. Might just be my luck

 

[meep]

I have used both 4600 and 5100. Both are digressively valved. I’ve been a bit disappointed with the valving of the 5100 while being more happy with the 4600. They are *not* the same. The 5100 has good compression dampening but weak rebound. My 5100s would pogo on the rough highways a lot. Also, they some sort of position-based change of some sort - the last portion of travel it tightens up suddenly and feels like bump stops. These are more open shocks which are probably great if you want to float down trails.

For a street vehicle I’d suggest the 4600s over the 5100. They are IMO better balanced on road.

I’m sure you’ll get other opinions on the other options, but I popped in to at least provide my experience between the two billies.

M