Going from flattened bilsteins to new fox, the rear of my truck raised up about half an inch, AL bodied ford. Those foxes had so much pressure in them new that they had to be installed tied up or I couldn’t lever them into position. No they didn’t give it a 2” lift but it was visible to the eye. Just a little bit.
Put Bilstein 5100 on my 2019 Tacoma
- Thread starter Pablo
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BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
I am also an engineer by degree (assuming based on your technical language above). let’s look at shocks in a normal leaf sprung half ton. they are never mounted perfectly vertical. you would have to take the 25-30lbs of force and get your vertical component. so by definition yes, you are distributing load from the leaf springs to the shocks. average leaf springs per google are 200-400lb/in (half ton). you simply are not going to see the ride height difference. in a small car that is a separate coil and shock, maybe. but we are talking about pickup trucks here. i will bow out of the conversation and let everyone believe what the want.
You guys are reminding me I need to look at getting my suspension replaced. 230k miles on OE suspension on my truck. I think the ride might be a little rough but it's also a pickup truck. It doesn't really bother me.
I don't have any leaks. What's a good way to test the suspension?
I don't have any leaks. What's a good way to test the suspension?
I’m not an engineer, not even close.
I believe if you take some time and think about this, you will see what I am saying.
Or pick up some wrenches and loosen up some shocks!
I believe if you take some time and think about this, you will see what I am saying.
Or pick up some wrenches and loosen up some shocks!
I’m not an engineer, not even close.
I believe if you take some time and think about this, you will see what I am saying.
Or pick up some wrenches and loosen up some shocks!
I believe we have reached the “agree to disagree” part of the discussion
At that mileage on stock shocks just invest, don’t test. It will be for the best.
The Bilstein website says unless you are going off-road then the 4600 give the better ride.
May I throw in a 'partially related' question?
Note: I like Bilsteins...I put 4600s on a 2005 Saab 9-5 Aero wagon and my 2007 Volvo V70 base.
Regarding my 2005 Ranger FX4. It came with monotube shocks; as several pick-ups and SUVs did at the time, I'm told.
Which Billie comes in monotube style? It's hard to discern the features on websites.
Note: The PO of my truck replaced the shock with Monroes and said he used the correct type. The repair receipt simply says "Replace shocks", and the word Monroe.
Are monotube shocks available? Bilstein is as high as I want to go in "Damper Hierarchy" as I too drive conservatively and am not concerned with minor fluctuation of ride height.
I assume all car shocks/struts are the 'piston within a piston' construction.
Note: I like Bilsteins...I put 4600s on a 2005 Saab 9-5 Aero wagon and my 2007 Volvo V70 base.
Regarding my 2005 Ranger FX4. It came with monotube shocks; as several pick-ups and SUVs did at the time, I'm told.
Which Billie comes in monotube style? It's hard to discern the features on websites.
Note: The PO of my truck replaced the shock with Monroes and said he used the correct type. The repair receipt simply says "Replace shocks", and the word Monroe.
Are monotube shocks available? Bilstein is as high as I want to go in "Damper Hierarchy" as I too drive conservatively and am not concerned with minor fluctuation of ride height.
I assume all car shocks/struts are the 'piston within a piston' construction.
This site explains the difference between mono and twin tubes. Plus pictures
For Bilsteins, both the 4600 and 5100 models are mono tubes.
I think it's more nuanced.
1) Gas charged shocks are pushing "up" a little.
2) the rear of that truck is light. It's got a MPB² (Mostly Plastic Bed and Mostly Plastic Bumper)
You could lift the rear an inch by hand and if you let down gently, it'll sit higher than it did before you touched it, esp with the preload of gas charge.
All this is to say that depending upon how quickly the vehicle was parked (a quick stop will cause nose dive) and where the vehicle is parked (gradient) it may appear to sit higher sometimes.
Now, I am NOT arguing this constitutes a legit change in ride height. It's very dependent on perfect conditions and the effect will fade in time as the shocks relax a little. I'm saying it can effectively be an "optical illusion" at times.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
If you don’t want to spend that much - the Rancho RS7MT is a decent mono-tube gas shock …
^^Thanks for the additional source. The RS7MT line seems more serious than the Ranchos I've touched.
Years ago we put a set of "valve adjustable" Ranchos (forget the model) on a pal's Frontier.
There was an red, thimble-shaped knob at the base of each.
It turned through 320* and felt all the world like it effected nothing.
Also, those Ranchos had a coat of extra-extra thick white metallic paint which would essentially crumble off if hit by a tool.
We weren't impressed.
Years ago we put a set of "valve adjustable" Ranchos (forget the model) on a pal's Frontier.
There was an red, thimble-shaped knob at the base of each.
It turned through 320* and felt all the world like it effected nothing.
Also, those Ranchos had a coat of extra-extra thick white metallic paint which would essentially crumble off if hit by a tool.
We weren't impressed.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Yeah, they are a nice improvement for the brand - I put them on the Jeep and certainly better than worn OEM …
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
I mean with my 20V impact - easy to change - don’t cost much - so if I get 3 years from them - all good !
If you get the value for your dollar, that's good.
But, off the top of my head, I'd expect more than 3 years from any set of quality shocks.
The Monroes the PO had installed have 20k miles over 9 years and, frankly, feel like they're doing their job.
The oddest thing was Mrs. Kira's Saab wagon. It drove fine, then one day ALL 4 dampers began grunting very loudly.
It was noticeable outside the car.
The Billies were not only silent, they helped sell the car.
The buyer, who had just totaled his Saab and was seeking a replacement, said the Bilsteins attracted him.
But, off the top of my head, I'd expect more than 3 years from any set of quality shocks.
The Monroes the PO had installed have 20k miles over 9 years and, frankly, feel like they're doing their job.
The oddest thing was Mrs. Kira's Saab wagon. It drove fine, then one day ALL 4 dampers began grunting very loudly.
It was noticeable outside the car.
The Billies were not only silent, they helped sell the car.
The buyer, who had just totaled his Saab and was seeking a replacement, said the Bilsteins attracted him.
I’d be willing to bet those were the old RS9000 model.
That sorta rings a bell...but at my age, bells are going off all the time!