I’ve always been impressed how a set of bilstein shocks change the intire driving experience of a truck. Especially the 5100 series.
@Rusty Monroe doesn’t sell a shock that will last 25k, they would be nearly twice worn out @ 40k!!! I can promise you any Monroe shock will be leaking Loooooong before 40k.
Bilstein is the gold standard for DD light trucks and light off-road
I was just talking about information from a seminar I went to. Not promoting a brand but I’ll take some “oem spectrum” over just about any stock replacement shock. They aren’t a high quality upgrade by any means but an excellent alternative to people that just need to change worn shocks. Most people don’t wish to spend big bucks on about anything. They just want “enough” to get by. That’s not my mindset but hey, it takes everyone to keep the world turning.
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I hear ya man! I’m as cheap as possible and as excessive as necessary! That wasnt aimed at you, I just HATE Monroe. Replaced prolly 100 under warranty. I believe a lifetime warranty is absolutely stupid if you constantly have to use it for you entire lifetime 
. I put a lot of miles on my rigs, 50k a year on average, for 25+ years, and I know alllllll about wearing stuff out!
I’ve worn out 8 Jeep Wranglers, 3 cherokees, 3 f150s, 3 Silverados, and 2 rams since 1999. And I’ve never once payed anyone to do so much as an oil change! From 4” to 8” lifts, to 5/7 drops, airbags, engine rebuilds & swaps, trans swaps, axle gears, clutches, I’ve worn it all out and replaced it all! I learned A LONG time ago that you definitely get what you pay for. If you want something to get by, something that will last, or something to replace again next week, you pick the price bracket. Don’t even get me started on wheel bearings / unit bearings! But this started with squid wanted better parts and a better ride for his Yota. I stand 100% behind bilstein shocks and struts, nothing compares, and Old Man Emu, is top of the heap for the Toyota guys.
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I installed the Bilstein HD 4600 series shocks on an Envoy ext we had. It actually came with stock Bilsteins but I’m sure they were a cheap version. Those HD shocks made a world of difference. You could hit a speed bump at 40 mph and just floated over it almost like it wasn’t even there. I couldn’t believe the difference. I’ve been wanting to install the 5100’s on my Sierra but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.
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The 5100 are good for work/ play trucks. The yellow HD ones are great for constant heavy loads. Took the bounce out of my f350 with a 300gallon tank in the bed
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I’ve got some 5160s in a shopping cart to order for my Silverado. I dont tow a lot of weight but tow regularly. If it’s more weight I use the dually or international. Yesterday I had about 2400 lbs in the bed pulling a 8k pound trailer. It’s also my daily. Any objections? Everyone is a pro online so I thought I would ask haha
Edit: 2016 Silverado 2500 HD 6.0
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Do you run the corn syrup in that 6.0? I’ve been told they absolutely love it. Obviously, mpg is down but power is up like 25HP/40TQ on the 1/2 ton trucks so I imagine the 6.0 would really love it.
I’ve tried it a couple times. Almost got it again yesterday actually. The first time I couldn’t tell a difference in power at all. The fuel mileage was around 10 with it so obviously didn’t run it much 
. It’s hard enough to justify. I do run a tuner which actually makes a difference on newer gas trucks, improves shift points etc.
Yeah I had a tune on my last truck but I never used it for much other than watching various temps and pressures when towing. I think the next truck will be diesel so that I never need to worry about more power. The new 6.6L and the 10 speed Allison should be an absolute powerhouse. I’ll have to get the GMC because the new Chevy looks like it’s missing a few chromosomes
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Yeah the real test is to calculate your cost per mile. Many guys come out ahead on the corn syrup but some just hate seeing 10mpg on the screen and can’t live with it LOL
Around here it’s only a savings of about .10 cents a gallon. I do like the new high country chevy but anything else is a horrible mistake. I think the 10 speed transmissions are going to be a game changer in the towing world. My next truck will either be a f-450 or a 3500 Chevy/GMC I haven’t decided yet.
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Wow that’s definitely not worth it. Last I saw it was about $1/gal cheaper here. I’ve heard that the new 3500 will tow over 35,500 so I don’t think you’ll need to go for the 450 but you’ll know more about what you need than I would.
Corn syrup?? What the… what?
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The f-450 is more for the looks of it. I’m young enough I can be irresponsible sometimes.
By corn syrup he means ethanol.
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Bilstein 6112 are a step up from the 5100s. They are ride height adjustable up to 2 1/2 inches I believe. They use a larger shock body than the 5100’s. The 5100 series is also a great strut/shock at about 200 a pair. I know guys that carry 8 ft HD plows on their Tundras with Bilstein 5100’s and old man 2613 springs. The ride is a little stiff without the plow, so the old man 2612’s would probably be a better fit for someone that doesn’t plow. If you go the cheaper route and just use strut spacers, be sure to add bump stop spacers to avoid over compressing the struts.
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This should be something they teach in school.
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