Thinking of putting on the Bilsten shocks everyone talks so highly about to help get a smoother ride on my 2500 HD truck. In a way I wish I wouldn't have replaced the factory shocks at 66,000 miles...But I first put on NAPA Grandes and those were rough as can be. My NAPA rep then traded them out and gave me NAPA (or Monroe) Sensatrac, which were slightly better, but not to much. I am still getting a rough ride and purposing,and I realize I wont get a perfect ride with a 2500HD truck. I believe both shocks I have tried out are considered dual piston tube shocks, and in order to get that factory feel back I need to get monotubes which I know the Bilstens are...My main question is I cant seem to find the Bilsten comforts for my truck and all I can find are the Bilsten HDS. Anyone run these? Are they pretty smooth even when running empty? Truck is a 2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD long bed CC 2wdThanks a lot.

The Bilsten HDs I am looking at are the blue and yellow 4600 series.

I tried a couple of different brands before the yellow and glue bills. They made a huge difference. They soak up the jarring type impacts, like expansion joint, much better than the others. Even driving over the curb in front of my house is softer.The other thing they did was stop the porpoising I would sometimes have when towing our TT over certain sections of freeway. I think you'll like them.Scott

Yea I was hoping to hear that. Probably well worth the $254 I can get all 4 for.

Thats a good price I think. I paid $70 or $75 each.

I used the silver 5100's on my 2500HD. Worked great.

Shocks....Bilsten options.... | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

DirtyOil
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
http://www.bilsteincanada.com/product_info.php?cPath=306_774_896_13797&products_id=3502

Bilstein 5160's I dare ya :W
GeoBoy
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
Passin Thru wrote:
I bought 4600s and have a Chevy 2500HD but I hate the torsion bar front end on that pig. The rougher the bridges, the more it squats and bounces on landing with 18-19K gvcvw. I hope Airlift comes out with airbags for the front some day, we have them on the rear.

Timbren makes a model for the Chevy truck front suspension.
alexleblanc
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
I ran the 5100's on my F150 and now on my F250, great product and reasonably priced too.
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
I bought 4600s and have a Chevy 2500HD but I hate the torsion bar front end on that pig. The rougher the bridges, the more it squats and bounces on landing with 18-19K gvcvw. I hope Airlift comes out with airbags for the front some day, we have them on the rear.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014
Go with the Bilstein 4600's you won't be disappointed.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 16, 2014
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Swapped out the OEMs at roughly 20,000 miles to 4600 Series.
Made a big difference while towing.......hard to tell non-towing it's a dang truck

Well Old-Biscuit, I think your statement sums up why most don't get a big enough TV for the job at hand. They want a TV that rides like a car when empty and like a super truck when towing.
I know when I am under tow, I have enough TV and suspension to safely carry the load. The ride empty is a bit harsh, but not really rough, or I have been driving it so long that I am use to it.
goducks10
Explorer
Feb 16, 2014
camp-n-family wrote:
Isn't the only difference between the 4600's and the 5100's that the latter are designed for a lifted truck?

The 5100s are adjustable for height but don't have to be "lifted". They have 3 ring settings to set the lower spring perch. The lowest ring is usually close to stock height, the others give about 1.5 an 2.25 inches of lift.

5100's come in two different models.
Non adjustable 5100's and adjustable 5100's.
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/truck-off-road/5100-series-lifted-light-trucksuv/
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/truck-off-road/5100-series-ride-height-adjustable/
_1Flyboy
Explorer
Feb 16, 2014
. . .Have you looked at the Koni FSD shocks? Not cheap; on my truck they work well. . .
jbres
Explorer
Feb 16, 2014
wish I could do a test ride with them on my truck before I spent the money to buy them. Haha don't think that's possible though
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2014
I liked the Bilsteins on my '07 Chevy 3500 SRW. I like the KYB MonoMax on my '05 Chevy dually even better.