Yeah during my research on shocks there were alot of contradicting things and was quite confusing. I did always see the 510ts for towing also and ssme for us, the reason I have a 3/4 ton is for towing our camper. But yeah who knows the truth exactly with the differences in valving between the 5100s and 4600s. If there is any difference its probably very minimal.

 

You ever thought of contacting Bilstein and asking them?

Like I posted in post #8 I did. They said the only difference is exterior finish and lengths. They are valved exactly the same, no difference in ride.

Email reply from Bilstein tech support…

“Thank you for contacting Bilstein. The only thing that is different is the extended length in front between 4600 & 5100, valving are identical front & rear. Thank you.”

 

I didnt as during my research i saw that people had gotten contradicting responses directly from Bilstein so didnt think I needed to do that. Also that 5100s dont fit a stock height truck but they obviously do so while I like their products, the info from them isnt the best.

 

I had no need to contact them. There was already overwhelming evidence all over the internet that the 5100's fit stock height trucks. And while the nod for towing was given to the 5100's, there was nothing that said the 4600's weren't a good choice for that either. Aside from that, it took me a split second to realize I wanted the silver and blue with zinc coating over the yellow, so it was an easy decision that didn't require reaching out to a chat bot.

And you are not the only one that has contacted them... Over the years, I have seen slightly different info provided from others that have contacted them. That is why I mentioned this in my previous comment:

This isn't just here on FTE, but other sites too such as the Tremor site...

But, "someone at Bilstein" told you that valving is the same. Here is a snippet from a 4600 vs 5100 article on the actual Bilstein site, which could contradict that:

This makes it sounds like the 5100 is indeed tuned different, even if only slightly. (Which I have also seen others comment that when they reached out to Bistein, that they were told that there is a difference in length and also slight valving/tuning differences.) And this is likely why many websites that sell them also give the nod to the 5100's if you tow a lot. And truth be told, I would more likely want to believe an article on their official page over a chat bot response which likely produces an answer based on the way the questions are worded. Or hey, maybe it was actually someone on the other side typing them out... Regardless, I have gotten many unanswered answers from those chat boxes on many different items. They just don't always seem to be the most reliable.

Again though, either is fine for these trucks. And I still think the biggest choice for us to make is what color scheme do we want.

 

I know, I know, THE HELL WITH THE FACTS, YOU’VE ALREADY MADE UP YOUR MIND!!!

But here’s the “chat bot’s” name and contact information in the email he/it sent me if you want to actually get the facts on the 4600 and 5100s.

Hello XXXXXX (GAZZILLA),

Thank you for contacting Bilstein. The only thing that is different is the extended length in front between 4600 & 5100, valving are identical front & rear. Thank you.

Kind Regards,
Joe Laffin
Technical Sales and Warranty Specialist
thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America, Inc
T: +1-800-537-1085 (EXT 4010) F: +1-858-386-5224, joe.laffin@thyssenkrupp.com
thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America, Inc, 293 Timber Road, Mooresville, NC 28115, USA

 

I also shared a link above with the facts to Bilstein's own website in which they directly compare and contrast the 4600's and the 5100's. You can do what you will with that information, but I will post it for you here again:

It's good you got to talk to a person and not a chat bot though. But this still doesn't change the point of this conversation, and in fact, it even reinforces what I said: there is conflicting information about these 2 shocks, and much of it from Bilstein.

You're guy says they are the same. The website says that the 5100's are tuned for lifted applications and for a preloaded coil spring. There is no mention that the 4600's are. So there is actually a difference. Yet like has been mentioned, it is so minor that it doesn't really matter. So,

What color do you want?

 

I recieved the same information as Gazzila several years back when I inquired about valving differences between the 4600 and 5100. For this specific application, no valving difference. That is the important factor, application, specific part #'s. In this vehicle application, the 4600 and 5100 are essentially the same, with the exception of finish and the front 5100 being very slightly longer. Something like 5/16" if I recall correctly. Rears are exactly the same length/travel.

The wording from the website is somewhat generic, but can be true depending on application. When I asked the same question for a different make and model, there was a slight valving difference between the 4600 and 5100.