2003 4x4 Bilstein 5100s
#1
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Sunny ****ing Nevada, Rockies to B.C.
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 35 Likes
on
35 Posts
2003 4x4 Bilstein 5100s
I have 2.5-3 inches of torsion key lift on the front of my 1500 off road package. I added a bit of lift in the back at the shackles as well, all to clear the Goodyear DuraTracs I wanted to run. I use Bilstein 5100s on my '95 2500 and really liked them. They make 4600s front and rear for the 2003 1500 4x4, but only the rear has 5100s listed. I bought shock extensions and kept my worn stock off road shocks for the front and put 5100s on the rear.
However, a person can go to the Bilstein catalog for chassis builders and find shocks spec'd by size. I measured up my stock setup and found the 5100s in a length that would work, but the lower eye/bushing combo would not fit the stock bolts. This was likely the reason no 5100s are spec'd for the torsion bar front suspensions, not enough demand to make a special run with the larger eye required.
My solution was to have my machinist friend turn me some bushing from T6 treated aluminum barstock. I took the front end apart for wheel bearings and ball joints, set my new shocks.
Here are the shocks....
These are the bushings.....
.....and installed..........
I've run these a bit after install, they work very well. I like the 5100s for the reason that they made my 3/4 ton feel a lot more sure footed. I run 275/70-18 10 ply DuraTracs on both trucks, a pretty heavy tire I guess, but the shocks handle very well pavement or not. I spend a lot of time off road, not usually just for fun, but our Canadian property is very remote, and work roads in the Permian, at least where I am are absolute s**t, full of craters and busted up. Timken made those bearings, good price, cheaper by far than the Chinese junk NAPA wanted to sell me, but I felt the need to put a bit of vacuum hose on the ABS wire as a shield, as it bends pretty hard around the knuckle. Proforged ball joints, seem pretty solid, we'll see.
However, a person can go to the Bilstein catalog for chassis builders and find shocks spec'd by size. I measured up my stock setup and found the 5100s in a length that would work, but the lower eye/bushing combo would not fit the stock bolts. This was likely the reason no 5100s are spec'd for the torsion bar front suspensions, not enough demand to make a special run with the larger eye required.
My solution was to have my machinist friend turn me some bushing from T6 treated aluminum barstock. I took the front end apart for wheel bearings and ball joints, set my new shocks.
Here are the shocks....
These are the bushings.....
.....and installed..........
I've run these a bit after install, they work very well. I like the 5100s for the reason that they made my 3/4 ton feel a lot more sure footed. I run 275/70-18 10 ply DuraTracs on both trucks, a pretty heavy tire I guess, but the shocks handle very well pavement or not. I spend a lot of time off road, not usually just for fun, but our Canadian property is very remote, and work roads in the Permian, at least where I am are absolute s**t, full of craters and busted up. Timken made those bearings, good price, cheaper by far than the Chinese junk NAPA wanted to sell me, but I felt the need to put a bit of vacuum hose on the ABS wire as a shield, as it bends pretty hard around the knuckle. Proforged ball joints, seem pretty solid, we'll see.