Do the Bilsteins make that much difference?
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 309
Likes: 56
From: Dallas, TX
You won't find me contributing anything different from what others have said. I can validate that the 4600 and 5100 series are identical except for length and appearance. I have 5100s but always loved the cool Aussie colors from my old Toyota 4x4 days.
The 5100s have served me just fine. Absolute improvement over stock/FX4 shocks. I've got close to 80-90K miles on them and no end in sight. I have a Fox 2.0 stabilizer and when it's time for shocks, I'll do matching Fox 2.0 all around. Reason being is that I've never had Fox shocks before and want to see what the fuss is about. My truck sees quite a bit of off road time in the desert.
The 5100s have served me just fine. Absolute improvement over stock/FX4 shocks. I've got close to 80-90K miles on them and no end in sight. I have a Fox 2.0 stabilizer and when it's time for shocks, I'll do matching Fox 2.0 all around. Reason being is that I've never had Fox shocks before and want to see what the fuss is about. My truck sees quite a bit of off road time in the desert.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 242
From: North Florida
Living on a dirt road, I noticed a difference right away, Then, I towed my fifth wheel and there was a very noticeable difference. Really calms down the bouncing when going over expansion joints and overpasses.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 553
You won't find me contributing anything different from what others have said. I can validate that the 4600 and 5100 series are identical except for length and appearance. I have 5100s but always loved the cool Aussie colors from my old Toyota 4x4 days.
The 5100s have served me just fine. Absolute improvement over stock/FX4 shocks. I've got close to 80-90K miles on them and no end in sight. I have a Fox 2.0 stabilizer and when it's time for shocks, I'll do matching Fox 2.0 all around. Reason being is that I've never had Fox shocks before and want to see what the fuss is about. My truck sees quite a bit of off road time in the desert.
The 5100s have served me just fine. Absolute improvement over stock/FX4 shocks. I've got close to 80-90K miles on them and no end in sight. I have a Fox 2.0 stabilizer and when it's time for shocks, I'll do matching Fox 2.0 all around. Reason being is that I've never had Fox shocks before and want to see what the fuss is about. My truck sees quite a bit of off road time in the desert.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 668
From: Maine
I'd agree with you... IF they lasted longer. Problem is they don't, they need to be rebuilt 30k miles later, and cost as much to replace as rebuild.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 562
Likes: 45
I've had 5100's shocks and steering stabilizers on all three of my last SD's, '17 F350, '20 F450, and '22 F250, and I really like them. The ride is improved, as is the handling. Every single stock shock (all FX4) I've taken off has had little to no rebound. I could compress them by hand, and they either stay compressed, or very, very slowly expand.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 463
Likes: 86
I replaced the stock FX4 shocks w/ Bilstein 4600s at ~35K and the Bilsteins *are* better, but not night & day.
The standouts in objective performance improvement:
Full disclosure, I wanted more performance and will replace the Bilstein 4600s w/ a set of Accutuned Fox 2.0" remote reservoir adjustable shocks, which literally cost more than 4x just for the parts. Rebuilding costs every ~50K miles not included.
The standouts in objective performance improvement:
- Slightly less body roll in corners
- The was a total surprise
- Eliminated rear axle "sliding / stepping out" over mid-corner bumps
- Also a pleasant surprise
- Reduced (but not eliminated) harshness over crappy freeway surfaces
- Think 65 mph state highways with right lanes chewed up by overweight 18-wheelers
- These were intolerable to drive on w/ the FX4s
- They're still noisy but now the ride is improved and can be tolerated
- Reduced (but not eliminated) "occupant body fat shake" over freeway undulations
- This was a real problem in Southern California so it was nice to be reminded less annoyingly of the fat I'm personally carrying
- Significantly reduced (but not eliminated) harshness backing into driveway
- Also a surprise but very welcome as this happens reliably once a day
- The driveway to street interface has an "S" shaped cross section and always sucked previously
Full disclosure, I wanted more performance and will replace the Bilstein 4600s w/ a set of Accutuned Fox 2.0" remote reservoir adjustable shocks, which literally cost more than 4x just for the parts. Rebuilding costs every ~50K miles not included.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 553
says who? on street driven/work trucks they'll last 100k. 30k rebuild interval is if its abused offroad regularly, i bet its hard to blow them out on a f250, truck rides too stiff to go fast enough.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 668
From: Maine
Pretty much any person I've ever known who bought them. If you want to pay for a rebuild be my guest. I've never seen a set with 50k+ that didn't need a rebuild.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 146
Likes: 16
My question is- is Bilstein the only aftermarket player with perceived quality? (other than Fox)
My F250 is pretty new at 3500 miles and it seems fine* but someday I may move up/on to something other than stock or generic shocks.
What's out there?
My F250 is pretty new at 3500 miles and it seems fine* but someday I may move up/on to something other than stock or generic shocks.
What's out there?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 242
Likes: 102
Falcon, king and icon
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 5,800
Likes: 3,451
From: Uh oh, CA
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 322
Likes: 100
I replaced the stock FX4 shocks w/ Bilstein 4600s at ~35K and the Bilsteins *are* better, but not night & day.
The standouts in objective performance improvement:
Full disclosure, I wanted more performance and will replace the Bilstein 4600s w/ a set of Accutuned Fox 2.0" remote reservoir adjustable shocks, which literally cost more than 4x just for the parts. Rebuilding costs every ~50K miles not included.
The standouts in objective performance improvement:
- Slightly less body roll in corners
- The was a total surprise
- Eliminated rear axle "sliding / stepping out" over mid-corner bumps
- Also a pleasant surprise
- Reduced (but not eliminated) harshness over crappy freeway surfaces
- Think 65 mph state highways with right lanes chewed up by overweight 18-wheelers
- These were intolerable to drive on w/ the FX4s
- They're still noisy but now the ride is improved and can be tolerated
- Reduced (but not eliminated) "occupant body fat shake" over freeway undulations
- This was a real problem in Southern California so it was nice to be reminded less annoyingly of the fat I'm personally carrying
- Significantly reduced (but not eliminated) harshness backing into driveway
- Also a surprise but very welcome as this happens reliably once a day
- The driveway to street interface has an "S" shaped cross section and always sucked previously
Full disclosure, I wanted more performance and will replace the Bilstein 4600s w/ a set of Accutuned Fox 2.0" remote reservoir adjustable shocks, which literally cost more than 4x just for the parts. Rebuilding costs every ~50K miles not included.