My rig - '99 Tahoe 4dr 4x4
I just completed my 4.5" RCX lift and installed Bilstein 5150's (heavy valved - 255/70). After driving it on the highway, I could tell the dampening was off b/c the truck would oscillate after hitting bumps...sometimes taking as many as 4 up/downs to settle.
So, I gave Bilstein technical support a call today and learned this:
Bilstein 5100s for my truck are valved @ 326/150 (front) 287/77 (rear)
Those valving numbers are a far departure from the 255/70 I have on the 5150's. Just a reminder, the 5150's are NOT application specific, unlike the 5100's that have been tested on our vehicles.
In summary, if you spend the extra $$ on the 5150's, they will work like crap unless the valving for YOUR vehicle is close to the 5150 options; unfortunately for my heavy OBS, it was not.
My next step:
The valving on the rear 5100s is 287/77, pretty close to the 255/70 of the 5150's on there...so I'm going to keep those in the rear. For the fronts, I'm looking into a new set of shocks.
Sooo...if anyone wants a nearly new pair of 5150's for a 4-6" lifted truck, I got 'em for sale!
Conclusion:
5150's will NOT work for Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban in their heavier (4 dr/4x4) versions. If you have a lighter truck (pickup or 2dr), they may work, but I would recommend calling Bilstein to understand the valving for your application prior to purchasing their 5150+ models.
I just completed my 4.5" RCX lift and installed Bilstein 5150's (heavy valved - 255/70). After driving it on the highway, I could tell the dampening was off b/c the truck would oscillate after hitting bumps...sometimes taking as many as 4 up/downs to settle.
So, I gave Bilstein technical support a call today and learned this:
Bilstein 5100s for my truck are valved @ 326/150 (front) 287/77 (rear)
Those valving numbers are a far departure from the 255/70 I have on the 5150's. Just a reminder, the 5150's are NOT application specific, unlike the 5100's that have been tested on our vehicles.
In summary, if you spend the extra $$ on the 5150's, they will work like crap unless the valving for YOUR vehicle is close to the 5150 options; unfortunately for my heavy OBS, it was not.
My next step:
The valving on the rear 5100s is 287/77, pretty close to the 255/70 of the 5150's on there...so I'm going to keep those in the rear. For the fronts, I'm looking into a new set of shocks.
Sooo...if anyone wants a nearly new pair of 5150's for a 4-6" lifted truck, I got 'em for sale!
Conclusion:
5150's will NOT work for Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban in their heavier (4 dr/4x4) versions. If you have a lighter truck (pickup or 2dr), they may work, but I would recommend calling Bilstein to understand the valving for your application prior to purchasing their 5150+ models.
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