I ran the Bilstein 5100s on my last two 2500s - a 2018 Denali and a 2020 AT4. They were a substantial improvement over the Ranchos.

This time I had considered the Fox 2.0 shocks for my 2021 3500. All my research led me to stick with the Bilstein 5100s though. The Fox 2.0 shocks are more expensive, and I've read a few comments that said something to the effect that it's good the Fox's are rebuildable because they're going to need it.

Also, the Fox 2.0 shocks are better suited for high speed washboard / off-road conditions from what I found. My 2021 3500 will see dirt roads here and there - but nothing the likes that would benefit me to switch to Fox's.

I hope to switch to the Bilstein 5100s in the next couple weeks. Summer is keeping me busy though!

 

What improvement did you notice over the Ranchos in your 2020?

 

I’m leaning towards Bilstein for price for sure. Truck sees a lot of towing and heavy trailers so hoping they will hold up. But with only 2500 miles on my 3500 AT4 the ranchos will not be staying on very much longer.

 

I always get a good laugh out of the guys that don’t want to spend a few hundred extra for top of the line stuff for their $80,000 pickup. Pinching pennies on oil filters and shocks and whatnot. Fox shocks are worth the extra dough. I put over 80k miles of towing on rough interstate Highway on a set on my 2014 3500 and they still rode like new when I sold it. Can’t say that about the Bilstein’s on my 08.

 

I just put a set of Fox 2.0 on a 2014 1500 for the GF and they are like magic. I've never had a suspension perform like that and if it didn't seem to require a lift that requires frame cutting I'd have been ordering coilovers for my Duramax right away.

 

I put Bilsteins on mine today. It's definitely a big upgrade. The Ranchos are very slow to recover from impacts. The Bilsteins take the harshness out of the big bumps and your tires stay in contact with the surface better.

I had Fox shocks on a Ram and they weren't my cup of tea.

 

What shocks did you put on?

 

Bilsteins for all my trucks

 

So I have been looking at this type of upgrade after our trip pulling our 5th wheel. I ad installed bags, and the truck just bounced down the road. There were times that i didn't think the truck would recover from the bouncing. I figure the Ranchos got worn out on that trip. Now to just decide if I want the 5160 or 5100. Thoughts?

 

Unless the vehicle is spending more time off road, than towing, then the Fox shocks may be better. In all other applications, the Bilsteins come out on top.

 

Does anyone know what the torque specs are for the shock mounts? Bilstein includes the specs for their bolt replacement but not the OE bolts.

 

I just replaced the OEM Ranchos and took a drive three miles down the dirt road. I won't call the difference remarkable, but I will call it noticeable. By the way, I have 11,750 miles on the truck and the rear shocks were DOA. Not hard to improve the ride when the originals are dead.

 

What makes you think they were DOA? The Ranchos have little to no pressure in them, they are dampeners not springs. They only work when you push or pull hard and fast. DOA to me means you can grip the body and turn upside down and the piston would fall with gravity or fluid leaked out.

 

Anyone paired the Bilsteins with sulastics?

 

I have those on my 2007. It's not bad. I was hoping for a huge improvement but it wasn't huge. Better yes.

 

That's stock Ranchos...... the 9000s have a gas charge.

 

I have my sulastics waiting in the box. Just need my buddy's time and his lift to install them.
Honestly, the difference of changing from the crap factory shocks to the Bilsteins have made things significantly better. Also, I'm now running my rear tires at 68 PSI cold. That has helped as well.

Edit, 68 PSI cold in the rear unloaded...

 

Does your tpms light come on with them at 68? I'm down to 75 and it's not on yet...

 

I don't think the 2019 HD Duramax has TPMS. My 2018 does not.

 

This is the 2020+ forum... figured he was talking about a 2020+ truck...

 

Yes, I have a 2019, and yes I'm spying in the 2020 section. 🤪
Yes, the 2019 HD has TPMS, and no, my alert is not on at 68 PSI cold in the rear.

 

Oops. I guess in 2017-19 it is just the 3500 that does not have TPMS. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Before 2020, GM did not include TPMS in trucks with GVW of 10,000 lbs or more since it is not required. There are some gas 3500’s with TPMS due to GVW of 10,000 lbs.

 

Ah ok, now it all makes sense.

 

I am running 65 rear and 50 front with no TPMS light on.

 

With the '21 3500?

 

I had Rancho's on my lifted 2001 2500hd and they had terrible bumb stear and in hard dips at speed I would almost loose control. Went to the Bilstein 5150s and all my problems disappeared. I suggested the 5100 series to my father for his 2004 2500hd pulling a 5th wheel and he loved them. on my 2007 chev 3500 dually, I will put them on when new shocks needed.

 

The dealer I use lowed all down to 60 with no questions, so it can be done if they want.

 

My dealer just lowered mine last week to 55 front, 50 rear, as I requested. They did charge me 1/2 hour labor, but I happily paid that to not have the warning pop up every time I start the truck.

 

Fox shocks are overpriced garbage. I was a dealer that sold them and ran them on our Offroad Buggy. They continually had to be rebuilt and the valving on 4 shocks was different even though they were the same shock. Numerous calls to tech support got us know where. You want a real shock by KING! but for a regular daily driver pickup truck, Bilstein is more then enough and still better than Rancho. People run to Fox because the name they made on motorcycles and now they look all shiny and bling. Ask any motorcycle mech how often shocks get rebuilt the stock internal o-rings are worse than the ones off the ACE hardware Plumbing isle.

 

Thanks for the input man

 

@Ccdmax7 , it was hinted to earlier, but if you are a "go big or go home" kind of guy, look at King shocks. I don't think you'll find anyone saying anything bad about them.

 

I had 5100's on my Silverado and went with the Fox 2.0 for the Sierra. I have nothing bad to say about the Bilstein's, they do everything very well (much better than the Rancho's for sure). The Fox seem to be a step up though, with even more control. Were they worth the price difference? For me they were, but if cost is a factor than there's certainly no regret to getting the Bilstein's.