I am doing some research to replace my shocks. I have found two different models, the Bilstein 5100, and 4600. Which have you guys/gals used and liked? Thanks in advance for the input!

 

Chuck, I use and like the ride I get from my 5100's

 

I am using, and like the 4600 (for non lifted trucks). They are considered a stock replacement but heavy duty - whatever that means. In any case they are good. If you have a lifted truck you will need to go with the 5100.

 

I see....is that the difference...5100 for lifted, and 4600 for stock? The site I found just listed them both as compatible.

 

I have a pretty close to stock height Excursion and I have 5100's. The rears are stock length and the fronts are 2" longer. You can get lifted or stock height with either shock.

I haven't compared the two side by side, but I like the way my truck rides. It did surprisingly well on some pretty rough washboard roads the other weekend.

 

I ordered the 5100's after the Rancho 9000s failed in the front. I hadn't put the rear ones on yet, so I sent them all back to Amazon where I had ordered them. I was planning on doing the X and B Code mod, so I purchased the 5100s for a 4" lift. I'm VERY happy with them. Of course it's hard to compare since I did the springs and rear sway bar at the same time. The Bilstein's are stiffer than the Rancho shocks though, regardless of what setting I had the Rancho's on.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:5px" valign="top" width="353">Order Summary </td> <td style="padding:5px" valign="top" width="119">Shipped Quantities</td> <td style="padding:5px" align="center" width="106"> Quantity </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:5px"> 5100 SERIES SHOCK - Part # BIL33-185545- FRONT
</td> <td style="padding:5px" align="center">2</td> <td style="padding:5px" align="center" width="115"> 2 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding:5px"> 5100 SERIES SHOCKS - Part # BIL33-236964- REAR
</td> <td style="padding:5px" align="center">2</td> <td style="padding:5px" align="center" width="115"> 2 </td></tr></tbody></table>
AT

 

I have been looking at the Bilsteins as well. My Ex is bone stock so if i go with the 5100's will that give the front a slight lift...

 

Shocks don't affect ride height.

If you have V/Mod B springs, here are the bilstein specs, part numbers, and price I paid for the ones I put on my Ex. They are awesome, as I think I said already. My ex-girlfriend had a Lexus SUV with air ride suspension, and my truck handles the same washboard roads just as well. You could drive down a desert washboard road that sees a grader once a year with an open cup of coffee in your hand.

Part Number: 33-187297
Series: 5100 Series
Drive Type: 4WD
Position: Front
Front Spring Type: Leaf
Rear Spring Type: Leaf
Descriptor: Front Lifted Height: 0-2.5"
*Collapsed Length (IN): 14.44
*Extended Length (IN): 23.23
*Collapsed Length (MM): 366.8
*Extended Length (MM): 590
Old Part Number: F4-BE5-F580-H0

Amazon: $73.12

Part Number: 33-236964
Series: 5100 Series
Position: Rear
*Collapsed Length (IN): 20.28
*Extended Length (IN): 32.01
*Collapsed Length (MM): 515
*Extended Length (MM): 813
*Compression @0.52m/s: 560
*Rebound @0.52m/s: 2700
Finish: Zinc Plated
Reservoir: No
Body Design: 46mm ID Smooth Body (Non-Coilover)

Amazon: $79.89

 

My experience with the bone stock front leaf springs is that the 5100's only made a slight improvement driving straight, but a good sized improvement in banked corners where I was going over potholes or seams in the pavement or cement on the highway. Initially, my front end would hop or bounce a little bit. This would only get worse if it was also windy. Without new leaf springs, I was still slapping and bottoming out. I had 165K miles on the original springs though. I opted for X codes up front as well, because eventually I want to get an aftermarket bumper and a winch.

AT