Forum Discussion

glamisorbust's avatar
glamisorbust
Explorer II
Oct 22, 2013

Shock talk-Bilstein 5100's or FOX 2.0 IFP

I have a 2007 chevy 2500HD classic CCSB 4x4. I am the original owner, and it is now at 112k on the original shocks. The truck still rides ok, but i'm sure new shocks would not be a bad move. I have it narrowed down to either the bilstein 5100's or FOX IFP shocks. Here's what I know about both of them. The bilstein's are not rebuildable, but they are good shocks from what i've heard online and from friends who have them. They are $360 shipped to my door for the set of 4. The FOX shocks are fully rebuildable, but more expensive and would probably give a better ride. The FOX's are $115 each. But, when it would come time to replace the bilstein's, the FOX's could be rebuilt. I welcome any opinions, as well as experience from folks that have tried one or the other. I hear the reputation for both companies is outstanding.
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  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Oct 22, 2013
    I put bills on my F150 at 100k thinking same as you. Could not tell the difference. Either oem is really good or the bills are weak IMO.

    I really liked the KYBs on my old Mustang.... next set on the truck will be Monomax.

    Honestly if it drives good and does not bounce, save your money shocks are fine.
  • MrVan's avatar
    MrVan
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2013
    glamisorbust wrote:
    Thanks for your reply. I have sorta heard the same thing. "stock shocks are worn out after 10k miles, etc". I pulled one of them off for grins about 8 months ago. I pushed it down, and it still came right back up. The truck still rides about the same as when I bought it. My brother has the same truck as mine, only it's a 2004. He just replaced his with the cheapest thing on the shelf. He told me that it barely made a difference.


    Not sure that is a good test to determine whether a shock is good or not.
  • glamisorbust's avatar
    glamisorbust
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2013
    Thanks for your reply. I have sorta heard the same thing. "stock shocks are worn out after 10k miles, etc". I pulled one of them off for grins about 8 months ago. I pushed it down, and it still came right back up. The truck still rides about the same as when I bought it. My brother has the same truck as mine, only it's a 2004. He just replaced his with the cheapest thing on the shelf. He told me that it barely made a difference.
  • azwildcat99's avatar
    azwildcat99
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2013
    I put the Bilstein 5100's on my truck at about the same mileage on the stock shocks. While I could tell a difference, it wasn't as great of a difference as I had been lead to believe. If I were to do it again, I think I'd be inclined to try the Fox or Rancho 9000's, but then again they might not be any better.

    It's not that I am unhappy with them, but I was expecting something on order of "sliced bread" if you read all the posts about replacing your stockers with them. Bilsteins have a great reputation for longevity so they'll probably give me a good 80-100k, so I'm satisfied with my choice.

    Good Luck with your decision.

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