bilstein 4600 or 5100

Bilstein 5100's do come in a leveling or ride height adjustable model. This is done by adjusting the bottom of the spring stop. To select your ride height there are grooves cut into the shocks barrel, you select the groove of choice and install a snap lock ring which serves as the springs bottom seat. If I remember correctly they are adjustable from stock to 2" increases.

Have ran both 4600s and 5100s on non-lifted GM 2500HD trucks. 5100s are slightly softer feeling ride and a better choice for a daily driver TV IMO. Both are light years better than the **** OEM shocks.

A shock rep stating it will "RAISE" the ride height is a bit concerning if thats really what he said. Shocks dont change ride height...

lbrjet wrote:
The 4600 and 5100 are the same shock. Use the 4600 for a stock truck and the 5100 for a lifted truck.

EXACTLY! 5100's are for stock and up to a 2" lift.

ScottG wrote:
T&P is right, the 5100's are for trucks that are lifted. They dont lift it themselves.

lbrjet wrote:
The 4600 and 5100 are the same shock. Use the 4600 for a stock truck and the 5100 for a lifted truck.

Almost correct 5100's can be bought for different degrees of lift (correct they don't provide the lift), the 1st stage is zero to 2" of lift, and the have a shinny silver tube!!

I believe the valving is the same in both, and they work very well.

If your truck has not been modified then you can use either the 4600 or the 5100. If your truck has been lifted beyond factory height then the 5100 is the one to get. Bilstein shows the same 4600 and 5100 shock part numbers for factory stock trucks regardless if the truck is 4x4 or 4x2. I chose the 5100 for my current and previous truck and love 'em.

lbrjet wrote:
The 4600 and 5100 are the same shock. Use the 4600 for a stock truck and the 5100 for a lifted truck.

The 5100 comes in a 0"-2" and can be used on stock height trucks, they look better too.

bbaker2001 wrote:
Will order the 4600s
thanks

Your 2015 3500 came with fairly good gas filled shocks. I would and I "will" wait until you/I see a need to replace the OEM one's.

Chris

Will order the 4600s
thanks

I replaced my stock shocks with the 4600's, front and rear. As said before, the 5100's are for lifted trucks. They improved the empty ride noticeably. I got mine on Amazon with my Prime. Prices were good especially for the fronts as they had some used, like new for $26 each. Their used, like new means someone returned them unused but opened the boxes.

The 4600 and 5100 are the same shock. Use the 4600 for a stock truck and the 5100 for a lifted truck.