Can't decide which Bilsteins

[MasherAZ]

Alright fellas, I need some help. I'm kinda tired of the ranchos that I have on my truck and i'm looking for something different. They are not that old, but just a little bit too stiff for me. I have narrowed my choices down to the Bilstein 5100s or the 5150s.

So here's my questions:
1) Which of the two should I go with? The extra $30 for the 5150s isn't a big deal if they are a better ride. Plus I kinda like the look of the reservoirs.
2) If I go with the 5150s and use the JKS conversion bracket from TRS fab(aka James Oaks Enterprises); would I need to run limit straps or get new bump stops?

These are the part numbers I'm looking at:
5100s p/n: BILF4-BE5-2794-H3
5150s p/n: BF5-A194-H1
JKS kit p/n: 9602

The truck they'd be going on is a 2003 edge 4wd with about an 1.5" Tbar crank. I drive a lot on the freeway but I go offroading and camping/fishing/hunting often. I'm basically just trying to make my truck as offroad capable as possible but not sacrifice too much comfort. At least until the SAS, but that's probably not for at least another 2 years. Any info, advice, opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Yellowsplash]

The bilsteins are going to ride stiff, but a controlled not jarring stiff. They are by far the best riding and handling shocks I have found, but they of course come with a nice price tag too.

You dont need to mess with the 5100 series shocks...the only thing you need is the HD series. Do a search on bilstein's website, or even summit racing, and you'll find your part numbers needed.

 

[MasherAZ]

well the 4600s are the direct replacement for stock O.E.M. shocks. I've done a fair amount of research already but I wanted some extra opinions on the matter. So I want to go with at least the 5100 because it's geared more for offroad adventures than the 4600.

 

[legoms013]

If money isn't the issue, go with the 5150's.

I went with the 5125s and love them. They ride great. There is no real difference between the 5100 series shocks and 5150 other than the paint scheme and the fixed reservoir.

Had I had some extra money at the time I would have bought the 5150s now that I look back at it.

Either way you can't make a wrong choice, they are great shocks for all around offroading and urban driving.

This place has good prices, this is where I bought mine:

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/bilstein_5125.cfm

 

[MasherAZ]

Thanks Legoms! That's what I'm looking for. Should I run limits straps or bumpstops though?

 

[canyoncritter]

5150 wont gain any performance over the 5100's. The one thing that is better about the 5150 is the IFP is in the resi. there for you could get more stroke out of the same over all lenth shock. do you need that? IE is/would your bump travel be limted by the lenth of the 5100?

should you run limit's/bump....well dose your suspestion travel more then the shocks, ball joints , steering linkage etc handle? then yes....

 

[legoms013]

If your shocks are matched to your suspension, you shouldn't need straps or bumps, the stock stuff will serve you fine.

Though they would never hurt per say, if you just have money burning a hole in your wallet.

 

[MasherAZ]

Ok, I think I've got it now. Sounds like i'm just gonna go with the 5100s. It's not that I have huge sums of money to throw at my truck, hence the lack of a solid axle, it's just that i'd want the insurance of having them set up correctly. Thanks for the info fellas.

 

[gw33gp]

I thought the 5100 series was for lifted vehicles. My FX4 (similar suspension to the 2003 Edge) has a 1.5" T-bar lift and when I replaced the original Bilstein shocks, I used Bilstein HD shocks, BE5-2794 (front) and BE5-2795 (rear). They are a little firmer than the factory Bilstein shocks but I always thought the factory Bilstein shocks were a little too soft for most off-road conditions, especially for light/medium rock crawling.

I am very happy with the Bilstein HD shocks.