Hi I am in need of new shocks and it seems that most agree that the Bilsteins are the way to go. I dont know if I should be usuing the Bilstein HDs or the 5100 series. I have searched all over and cant seem to get an answer. I have a set of add a leafs that I am waiting to install, and when I bought them the guy said that I do not need longer shocks. He did say that they would add about an inch or two of ride height though. So I am now wondering if I can use the HDs or if I need the 5100 series? If anyone knows the part numbers, or where I could find them, for which ones I should be usuing that would make it much easier. I have searched all over and cant seem to get an answer. My truck is a 2002 350 4x4 5.4. Also if anyone has any reccomendations on what brand steering stabilizer to use.
thanks

 

Sponser: www.Shockwarehouse.com has the HD for $250 with free shipping and code: fordtrucks (or fordtruck - I can't remember which one). However, they are back ordered until Dec. They are the cheapest, but are out of stock for now.

HD Part numbers:
BE5-2818-HO Front
BE5-C296-HO Rear

I ordered mine from www.eShock.com and they did price match, and have them in stock. However, they are not a sponser.

As for which ones? I'd go HD, and not the 5100-SERIES for two reasons.

The 5100-SERIES are for:

"[Front shocks]..trucks with a 4 to 6-inch suspension lift. Compression bumpstop on chassis may need to be modified to prevent damage to the shock absorber."

"[Rear shocks] Use on models with 0 to 2-inch suspension lift. Compression bumpstop on chassis may need to be modified to prevent damage to the shock absorber. On 2005-up models, use on trucks with a 4-inch suspension lift."


You're stock/close to stock should work fine with the HD's. Also the HD's have a life time warranty. They go bad, you get a new set from Bilstein. The 5100's only have a 90 day warranty.


I'm no pro, just telling you what I've learned since I've been here.

As for steering stabilizer, Bilstein does not make one. Rancho seems to be a good one that people use. I may go with Manroe or Rancho - not sure yet. I haven't done enough searching yet.


As for which way to install the Bilstein's well, that's different post:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...eavy-duty.html

I will be going BOOT DOWN.


Hope that helps.

 

wicked one is part right.

I have 5100 on my truck. I have a 1.5" lift on front 2" in rear.


If your truck is stock you must use the HD's
If your truck has a lift use the 5100's.

The easiest way to find your information is just call Bilstein.
They were great to work with and gave me all the answers I needed.

When I got mine in July the fronts were on back order. I called 20 different places before I found someone that had them in stock.

About a week ago some one posted on here that the HD's were on back order, but I don't remember for what year of truck.

Just call bilstein and they can tell you what you need to know. If the part number you need is on back order you will just have to start calling different dealers to see if anyone has them in stock.
Good Luck and they are well worth it.

As far as steering Stabalizer I have a rough country and am very happy with it. You can get them through about any off road dealer.
If you have 33" tires or smaller go with the single set up. If you have 35" tires of bigger go with the dual stabalizer.

 

036.0, I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I just purchased a 2.5 in. leveling kit (Haven't installed yet) and am wanting to switch shocks, but wasn't sure about which bilstein's to go with (HD or 5100). Went to topguncustomz.com and noticed that they have some 5100's on there for 0-2in lift for I think $260. I'm pretty sure that's what I"m gunna do when I get the money.

Moon

 

The discount code is fordtrucks

and don't forget Free Shipping on orders over $75

 

BTW....If you are raising 1 1/2 inches or less use stock or Bilstein HD's.
Rancho Steering Stabilizer is a good choice here also.

 

thanks for all the responses. ffadragon did you have to make any modifications to the bumpstop with your 5100's?? and do you know if I will only be around 2in above stock if that would cause any issues? I think that I am going to try to call bilstein and see what they say.

Wicked- thanks for those links they were very helpful, and that is by far the best price i have seen so that will be where i order my shocks from.


as a note it will either be the rancho or rough country steering stabilizer.

thanks again to all the responses.

 

It was said before. They only go one way, boot down on my 02. A month on my truck now with them (HD) and all's fine. Got them from Eshocks in less than a week. No ground shaking performance difference but after 130K on OE's it's better of course. I've had Rancho's and Invaders before on other trucks and you know what? Sears Road Handlers outlasted both of them and worked great! Time will tell.

 

HD has lifetime warranty. Most 5100 series have a 90 day warranty.

 

I have a leveling kit in front - about 2",and the HD's have worked perfectly for almost 3 years - great ride improvement over stock.

Mark

 

I love the Bilstein's that I just put on my truck. Of course, this is on top of a 6" lift, so I'm not sure which part I'm loving the most, but the stainless steel Bilstein's sure are perty!!

 

I have to agree, these are a great shock..... I drove a friends truck with the Bilstein HD and couldnt believe the difference. Makes me wonder how long my stock shocks have been shot.

 

I didn't care for the 5100's. I put them on my leveled F350 and thought the ride was rougher. They did help w/ death wobble though.

 

First off, thanks to everyone with all of the shock advice on the board. I can only say that I wish I had acted sooner than yesterday!
I have a 2005 SD that had original shocks. To put it mildly, the past 6 months have been really challenging for this truck. I had noticed a marked difference in steering and control while operating at highway speeds and all sorts of speed-specific wobble and bouncing. I made several attempts to balance/re-balance tires to no avail.
After reading the board, I went ahead and put some Bilsteins on the front and back (thanks shockwarehouse!). I tried to find a local dealer that would install them, but they certainly wanted too much $$ for the shock itself and the install. I read several people that said how easy it was to install, so off I went.
For my years truck, there was only one way that the shocks could be installed - it also happened to correlate nicely with the Bilstein logo. In the end, I have boots on the bottom up front and the boots on top in the back. Again, the way my truck was setup, I had no choice (one of the early 6.0s in 2003). The whole thing took me about 2 hours start to fish with no special tools.
My truck is finally back to what I remembered - very good in turns and able to drive down the road without getting bounced to death. Again, I just wish I had done this a long time ago.
I am sure that there are other shocks that would have done the same thing, but for the money I payed ($251 with the discount offered by shockwarehouse) I am thrilled.