5100 Bilstein Regrets?

[Strobes]

Not one angry person on the internet. Wow. Not even a "this was broken when it shipped!" Or "I hate the blue and yellow color scheme!". I've always run eibach or KYB stuff on my cars in the past. So not familiar with this brand.

So. 5100s with a bit over an inch (not sure of the options) lift on the nose it is.... Once I'm out of the dog house.

they aren’t blue and yellow for the 5100s. I saw the box and was displeased, but when I opened it they are chrome with blue lettering. Lol

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[Deleted User 61245811]

I regret they were on backorder E V E R Y W H E R E when I was interested in buying them. That said 6k miles later happy with Eibach but it would have been nice to have the 5100 series available.

I debated for a couple months between the Bilstein and Eibachs. But then I found out there were no Bilsteins to be had anywhere. That made the choice simple, and I've no regrets with Eibachs.

 

[jflogerzi]

Not one angry person on the internet. Wow. Not even a "this was broken when it shipped!" Or "I hate the blue and yellow color scheme!". I've always run eibach or KYB stuff on my cars in the past. So not familiar with this brand.

So. 5100s with a bit over an inch (not sure of the options) lift on the nose it is.... Once I'm out of the dog house.

Eibach has something very similar.

 

[thatdarnranger]

Couple of things. Those Bilstein's are great shocks. They made a world of difference with my heavy front end. You won't regret them.

if you have the funds, do the rear with some heftier Bilstein's as well. Especially if you're going to be towing. The stock capacity of the Ranger isn't great. I've got old man emu 600 lb constant load springs in the rear (but make sure you actually have a constant load, else you'll have a ridiculous rake).

Side note: You can do some pretty impressive off roading with the 4x2 if you set it up right. I've got an eaton-elocker on mine....and around $18k worth of other parts, haha. the 33's are a recent addition. Sweet.

 

[thatdarnranger]

I regret they were on backorder E V E R Y W H E R E when I was interested in buying them. That said 6k miles later happy with Eibach but it would have been nice to have the 5100 series available.

My local 4WP store happened to have a set at another store. Otherwise it would have been almost 6 months, so yeah. I feel you on this. Seems like damn near everything is backorder.

 

[Todd Chapin]

Yep, try ordering sliders. I might get my RRO sliders by the time I retire.......in a decade.

 

[thatdarnranger]

Yep, try ordering sliders. I might get my RRO sliders by the time I retire.......in a decade.

D'oh. Really? Darn. I was just looking at ordering a set.

 

[Muffin1]

I recently installed the Bilstein 5100's at the rear and that helped the ride a bit but still feel the fronts are to soft and a lot of 'float' so i ordered the pair for the front and have set up an appointment for a local shop to do install and align.
Question about the adj height i know it's a personal preference as to the look, i am not looking for a total level just to take out some of the rake out, for those who have done it how much did you raise it by ?
TIA.

UPDATE;
I had the front 5100’s installed yesterday, the shop charged me 3 hours labor @ $149 per and $89.95 for the alignment I thought that was a fair price.( I purchased the shocks elsewhere).
The tech adjusted the ring clip in my presence in the groove where I marked for him ( 1.8 height) to avoid any miscommunication.
Now the results, Amazing, a night-day difference I could feel the improvement within seconds after pulling away from the shop on local roads on the way home.
As for the highway, also a major improvement no more bobble head or mushy front end just a totally stable and much more controlled ride and for the record I have only 10,400 miles so the OE shocks were far from worn out just a poor choice by Ford.
It also looks so much better with less rake. ?
Now for the headlight adj.

 

[BettaRanga]

UPDATE;
I had the front 5100’s installed yesterday, the shop charged me 3 hours labor @ $149 per and $89.95 for the alignment I thought that was a fair price.( I purchased the shocks elsewhere).
The tech adjusted the ring clip in my presence in the groove where I marked for him ( 1.8 height) to avoid any miscommunication.
Now the results, Amazing, a night-day difference I could feel the improvement within seconds after pulling away from the shop on local roads on the way home.
As for the highway, also a major improvement no more bobble head or mushy front end just a totally stable and much more controlled ride and for the record I have only 10,400 miles so the OE shocks were far from worn out just a poor choice by Ford.
It also looks so much better with less rake. ?
Now for the headlight adj.

still pleased with this?

 

[Todd Chapin]

D'oh. Really? Darn. I was just looking at ordering a set.

Just recieved them last week. Pretty stout. I would say they were worth the wait and I liked the price. Having them installed Friday.

 

[BettaRanga]

Just recieved them last week. Pretty stout. I would say they were worth the wait and I liked the price. Having them installed Friday.

I’m doing the rears on Sunday!

 

[brroberts]

Late to the thread, but my 4X2 is mostly used for towing. Stock rear shocks were pretty bad to me. After a test drive I knew it would be one of my first changes. I have a stock front and 4600’s on the rear with the blue Sumo‘s. It has worked very well for me like this.

 

[mustang marty]

4600s on the rear , world of difference . Can not believe how horrible the Ford factory shocks are . I thought they learned from 2019 and on complaints but they do not listen just saving dollars .

 

[Muffin1]

still pleased with this?

Yes satisfied.

 

[SigOris]

After nearly forgetting it was not only mother's day but also the wife's bday... upps! I am going to wait for the next round of truck parts.

That said, I have some more time to think/second guess myself.


As much as I didn't want to lift the nose I do not like the amount of stock rake. Planning to use a low setting on the 5100s to lift it just a bit and take some of the rake out. A bit is ok; just not where it sits now IMO.


Does anyone regret getting 5100s? I see more than a few recommendations in one of many threads, so I am almost sold. I also didn't want to jack someone's suspension thread with "did these piss anyone off?" - so yes I made another strut/shock post. Sorry for those that get offended by new threads. If one is out there looking for problems with 5100 me and google missed it.

More info:

I do not have to worry about what struts resist rust where I am at so that isn't much of a factor.

4X2 and don't plan on running a tire much bigger than stock in the future.

4x2 so not much offroad and nothing anyone would call real offroading. More like rough grassing....

Towing: Eventually, it will be pulling around 5k about once a month to a track.

I’m in the same boat and I appreciate your post and not bothered by duplicate posts as I always learn something new.

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