Topic: Are Bilsteins Worth it?

[BWII]

I remember many many~ moons ago when Northernridge bought Bilsteins for his truck and noted how amazing they were at ruining washboard on the way to his cabin. Which got me thinking, the F150's 11 yrs old, and has never had either the brakes or shocks done...and I want to get the brakes looked at (probably overdue as it is) and I was thinking maybe I'd treat myself and the truck to a decent set of shocks at the same time as they'd be working in the area.  Friend of mine works at an automotive parts store (they don't sell them) but he thinks it'd be a waste of money.  Just get stock.  All those fancy brands aren't any better, you're just being sold on some BS hype. 

Anyone else have experience with Bilsteins over stock?  Presently when it hits the right railway crossing or bumps in the road around a curve on a bridge (yes, very specific I know)...it's like the truck gets thrown sideways (very minor but totally noticeable, uncomfortable and annoying).  Definitely won't pick anything Monroe makes...bought SensaTrac (strut/spring one piece) replacements for a car from Cdn Tire once...nope, never again.  Like Champion spark plugs...fool me once.  Fack you the second time.

Are they worth the price over stock Ford stuff?

[ktm525]

I would go OE if the cost is not unreasonable.

[bridgecity]

I've got Bilstein 5100s on my Tundra, installed last fall.  Difficult to say how much of an improvement they are over stock, as the Tundra had 250k on the originals, and the originals were Bilstein 4600s.  There was definitely an improvement in ride quality/control, but again the truck had 250k when they were changed.  The truck is very controlled over rough rail crossings, no issue there. It was getting a bit bouncy.  The 5100s do have a good reputation as a fairly inexpensive upgrade from stock.

The nice thing about the 5100's is that there's three different settings for lift for the front shocks (0, 1.75, 2.5" I believe but you'll have to look), so you can level it a bit if you choose.  Price was $1600 installed all around, including tax.  If you have any other questions let me know.

[BWII]

Yikes!  $1600!  It's $600ish just for the shocks (online when there's a sale) - I'd hope it wasn't a $1000 in labour.  I'd just get stock (Bilstein) replacements - no lifts or anything fancy.  I don't like levelling kits.  PITA for towing...now your front end is 2" higher than the rear when it'd be level with the trailer if ya didn't level it! (not "you" but all those other "you's" out there who level their trucks - just buy an SUV then if you don't use your truck as a truck. Or a Civic.).  Guess I should at least check what FOMOCO shocks cost...haven't even done that because Northernridge sold me years ago...and then left us...bastard!!    I was finally gonna be one of the cool kids.

I've only got 160k on the truck, maybe it doesn't "need" new shocks, but I hate when it kicks out on the highway over some sharp bumps in the road.  Maybe I should just move to a province that spends its gas taxes fixing roads rather than whatever TF MB does with all it's money.  And now with the NDP in charge again...southern MB won't see a nickel on road maintenance.  Shocks are probably cheaper than that...conundrums...move, stay...should I stay or should I go now...if I go it'll cost me double (x100000)...(or) if I stay where roads are rubble...do I need Bilsteins yes or no?  Or should I just pay through the nose...

And now I has an earworm...

[bridgecity]

I was charged 4 hrs labour and alignment was included in that price also.  If you can find 5100s for $600 all around jump on them and get them put on.  $1600 all in for good shocks on a pickup is pretty reasonable.  Start calling around and you'll find out.

The 5100s can be stock ride height.  If you don't want to spend that price out the 4600s or something else.  Pretty much endless options out there.

[rrocket]

I was charged 4 hrs labour and alignment was included in that price also.  If you can find 5100s for $600 all around jump on them and get them put on.  $1600 all in for good shocks on a pickup is pretty reasonable.  Start calling around and you'll find out.

The 5100s can be stock ride height.  If you don't want to spend that price out the 4600s or something else.  Pretty much endless options out there.

Looks like $128 for the 5100s at RA.

4600s are $111

Plus 5 percent off with code

[bridgecity]

I was charged 4 hrs labour and alignment was included in that price also.  If you can find 5100s for $600 all around jump on them and get them put on.  $1600 all in for good shocks on a pickup is pretty reasonable.  Start calling around and you'll find out.

The 5100s can be stock ride height.  If you don't want to spend that price out the 4600s or something else.  Pretty much endless options out there.

Looks like $128 for the 5100s at RA.

4600s are $111

Plus 5 percent off with code

How much with tax and shipping?  Then taking to a shop that won't warranty them, so if there's an issue its a pain in the ass and you're paying to get them pulled.  I don't think BWII is installing himself.  Not worth the hassle for me.  Maybe BWII would be fine with it.  As you say Ron, YMMV 

[ktm525]

What kind of warranty do you get on a shock? 1 year. Is the valving all the same? F150 to Tundra?

[HeliDriver]

I was just thinking about this the other day…

Back when the Yukon was pretty new, I put a set of Bilsteins on it in an attempt to improve the ride over washboard (yeah, think it was Northernridge who gave me the idea.) I loved what they did for the ride, and it was totally worth the cost.

But what’s really amazing (and what I was thinking about the other day) is that the shocks are still on the truck, the truck has 299,000 km on it, and the shocks still perform damn near like new.

And I’m really fussy about shocks. Can’t stand float or bounciness.  Even when loaded up and pulling the trailer, no concerns at all with how the Bilsteins are currently performing.

[bridgecity]

What kind of warranty do you get on a shock? 1 year. Is the valving all the same? F150 to Tundra?

Likely depends on the shock with regards to warranty, but would guess anywhere from 90days to one year.  Bilstein valving is different between trucks, not sure on all brands. Would think so.

[bridgecity]

I was just thinking about this the other day…

Back when the Yukon was pretty new, I put a set of Bilsteins on it in an attempt to improve the ride over washboard (yeah, think it was Northernridge who gave me the idea.) I loved what they did for the ride, and it was totally worth the cost.

But what’s really amazing (and what I was thinking about the other day) is that the shocks are still on the truck, the truck has 299,000 km on it, and the shocks still perform damn near like new.

And I’m really fussy about shocks. Can’t stand float or bounciness.  Even when loaded up and pulling the trailer, no concerns at all with how the Bilsteins are currently performing.

Good to hear.  I was pretty impressed with how well the stock ones held up on my Tundra.  It didn't have an easy life early on, pulling RV's down broken SK highways.  Loaded up shocks on a rough surface, pretty good torture test.

[HeliDriver]

I remember switching out the stock shocks on the Suburban at around 60-80,000 km IIRC. Was pulling the trailer down the highway one day and was bouncing around like crazy.

I put Bilsteins on it too, and they were great. Don’t know how long they’d have lasted, as the truck got totaled at around 120,000 km.

[PJungnitsch]

I wished I could have replaced the stock shocks on our leaf spring Dodge 1500, that thing would send you sideways on any amount of washboard. Bilsteins seemed to be the preferred fix. The F150's handled that way better, but the Superduties were even worse

Not surprised they charge 4 hours to change shocks, rears are still easy but they managed to complicate the front:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuLsQvsBqZU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nNWfAaD9jI

[bridgecity]

They make it look so straightforward. I can only imagine the hammering I would've had done to separate the ball joints on my '07. 

On another note, those upper control arms on that F150 look like spaghetti. 

[BWII]

I was thinking the 4600 series.  Rears are $131.23 ea and fronts are $176.23 or $615 - 15% off + $30 ground shipping...$580.32.  And you guess it, I would not install them myself.  Rears might be easy enough - front?  Probably not so much.

I should check to see if those 5100's are a good price...I might need to run upstairs and get my credit card! 

[bridgecity]

I was thinking the 4600 series.  Rears are $131.23 ea and fronts are $176.23 or $615 - 15% off + $30 ground shipping...$580.32.  And you guess it, I would not install them myself.  Rears might be easy enough - front?  Probably not so much.

I should check to see if those 5100's are a good price...I might need to run upstairs and get my credit card! 

You got a shop that will take your parts and install them?  For the extra couple hundred bucks I'd likely just buy through them to avoid future hassle.  They'll probably hit you harder with labour for bringing own parts anyway.   

[dkaz]

I got Bilstein rear shocks for my old 5. They were supposedly heavier duty and there was a small improvement new. The shocks were gone within 2 years which was a huge disappointment.

[HeliDriver]

I got Bilstein rear shocks for my old 5. They were supposedly heavier duty and there was a small improvement new. The shocks were gone within 2 years which was a huge disappointment.

Ouch, that’s unfortunate. Two years is pretty terrible.

Found a couple pics from when I installed mine. November 2012 and I figure the Yukon was at around 30,000 km.





And just now, at around 299,000 km.

[rrocket]

They make it look so straightforward. I can only imagine the hammering I would've had done to separate the ball joints on my '07. 

On another note, those upper control arms on that F150 look like spaghetti.

Definitely easier with the right tools like a ball joint separator.

[PJungnitsch]

Found a couple pics from when I installed mine. November 2012 and I figure the Yukon was at around 30,000 km

That's the pickup install I remember, two bolts! I learned to put an extra nut on the bottom of the rears to cover the threads and some grease on the fine thread on top, but other than that pretty easy