Bilstein 5160 Reservoir Shocks

[TripleE44]

Just had a member on here take his bilsteins off that he had for less than a year. Pretty much said they rode horrible.

Yep. They were good at first, but got progressively worse. Then the fronts just totally went to garbage and couldn't control the suspension for crap. These new Fox 2.0s are a VERY big improvement in general street driving so far.

 

[me2]

Yep. They were good at first, but got progressively worse. Then the fronts just totally went to garbage and couldn't control the suspension for crap. These new Fox 2.0s are a VERY big improvement in general street driving so far.

I was one of the first people to put 5160s on my 2008 F350 LWB. Mine came directly from Bilstein.

They ride great. Control is really good. I have about 50,000 miles on them. About the only bad comment I have is that when its really fricken cold out they are very stiff over sharp bumps. Changing the fluid in them would probably solve that issue, but thus far its not worth doing.

My dad has a 2011 6.7 and says my truck rides way better than his.

I have no affiliation with any shock manufacturers.

 

[TripleE44]

I was one of the first people to put 5160s on my 2008 F350 LWB. Mine came directly from Bilstein.

They ride great. Control is really good. I have about 50,000 miles on them. About the only bad comment I have is that when its really fricken cold out they are very stiff over sharp bumps. Changing the fluid in them would probably solve that issue, but thus far its not worth doing.

My dad has a 2011 6.7 and says my truck rides way better than his.

I have no affiliation with any shock manufacturers.

I'm glad your experience was better than mine. And I hope your shocks continue to do well, but mine didn't even make it a year and the fronts are just trash and were stiffening up leading up to how bad they finally were when I took them off.

I'd like to say that I got a bad set, but there's another member on here that has had his a few months less than me that's complaining about them getting stiffer as well.

 

[me2]

I'm glad your experience was better than mine. And I hope your shocks continue to do well, but mine didn't even make it a year and the fronts are just trash and were stiffening up leading up to how bad they finally were when I took them off.

I'd like to say that I got a bad set, but there's another member on here that has had his a few months less than me that's complaining about them getting stiffer as well.

How do shocks stiffen up as they get older ? Valve shims get softer and/or they leak oil.

Like I said, mine got super stiff when it was -20, but other than that they are great. Between my 2 trucks I tested several brands and models of shocks. The 5160 reservoir shocks are the best I've found and they are rebuildable too.

There are 2 models of 5160s. I think the general line has linear valving. The model specific line has digressive valving. Mine are model specific, ie digressive valving.

I drove 1600 miles this last weekend. My buddy did the same trip with him minivan and then complained that there was an issue in the front suspension. My truck has 50,000 miles on similar roads, so I can safely say they are well tested.

 

[TripleE44]

I've got no idea how they stiffened up. They did, and I wasn't the only one that noticed it.

I live in Texas, so the oil getting thicker isn't an issue for me.

I have the model specific ones, sitting in the garage.

My set of bilsteins have less than 20k on them, and aren't even a year old. They got stiffer, and managed to bounce an extra 2-3 times when hitting average sized bumps. On really big bumps it was just like always, but anything less it was not like it once was. Most of this was coming from the front of the truck also, I'm fairly certain the back ones are still fine.

This is unacceptable to me, I drive on the street unless I pull off onto the dirt to park. The streets around me are mostly all great smooth streets with the occasional one that has potholes and has been resurfaced in random spots when needed. The shocks shouldn't have messed up that quickly, under those circumstances.

When I swapped the Fox 2.0s from the Carli Commuter kit onto my truck, all of those problems were resolved.

I will NOT be purchasing anything from Bilstein in the future.

 

[capt dong]

so bilstein wouldnt warranty them?

 

[TripleE44]

90 day warranty on the 5160.

 

[smokinstroker]

Glad those shocks are working out for you Erik. Always good to hear someone is impressed from the ride!

On the bilsteins, it seems lately they have been dropping on the quality. I can only speak for the shocks I've installed and sold with feedback.
I've sold over 10 sets in the last year that I threw in a scrap pile personally. Some people still want them and it's up to the customer in the end. But this is why I inform everyone about other options before pushing into a bilstein lately.

Pretty disappointing that a company that made some killer products seems to be lacking in the last 12 months.

 

[capt dong]

that sucks on the warranty.

 

[KTM300]

Like I said, mine got super stiff when it was -20, but other than that they are great. Between my 2 trucks I tested several brands and models of shocks. The 5160 reservoir shocks are the best I've found and they are rebuildable too.

There are 2 models of 5160s. I think the general line has linear valving. The model specific line has digressive valving. Mine are model specific, ie digressive valving.

Did you compare the Bilsteins to the Fox 2.0s? How do you guarantee you get the model specific and not the general valved shocks?

When I swapped the Fox 2.0s from the Carli Commuter kit onto my truck, all of those problems were resolved.

So you bought the Carli valved Fox 2.0s, not the Fox valved 2.0s? I would do the same, but Carli only offers the Fox 2.0s for a 2.5" lift and I have a 4.5", so not sure what shocks to go with.

 

[TripleE44]

Yes, I bought the Carli ones. They were a little more, but I wanted to get the best ride I could, and Carli seems to have a really good reputation for that. I've still heard good things about the Fox valved shocks, but I don't know if they have any for that height....

 

[n54power]

Love mine as well. Duals in the front and single in rear with air bags. In my town we have large bump that at around 50 you catch air. With my 5150 shocks it was doable but jarring. The 5160 make it seem easy. Also during deer season wash board roads barely vibrate the truck

 

[KTM300]

So you're running dual 5160s in the front? Unless they are custom valved for being ran dual-ed I am surprised they aren't super stiff.

 

[n54power]

So you're running dual 5160s in the front? Unless they are custom valved for being ran dual-ed I am surprised they aren't super stiff.

the valving is custom BUT I needed them to be a little stiffer regardless. a winch bumper,16.5 winch and other stuff is in the very near future.also a regear,cutout flares and 40" tires.

 

[Jeff@Spartan]

I guess I didn't have my 5160's long enough to experience what you did with yours Eric. I do know in the future I plan to go with Fox 2.0's based on numerous threads and posts about how great they are. Once I move and don't need to put my truck in the garage, I plan to do either a Carli or ICON setup in the front with Fox shocks.

 

[smokinstroker]

I guess I didn't have my 5160's long enough to experience what you did with yours Eric. I do know in the future I plan to go with Fox 2.0's based on numerous threads and posts about how great they are. Once I move and don't need to put my truck in the garage, I plan to do either a Carli or ICON setup in the front with Fox shocks.

Go carli coils with the fox 2.0 carli shocks, you won't regret it for a dd street truck

 

[TripleE44]

I guess I didn't have my 5160's long enough to experience what you did with yours Eric. I do know in the future I plan to go with Fox 2.0's based on numerous threads and posts about how great they are. Once I move and don't need to put my truck in the garage, I plan to do either a Carli or ICON setup in the front with Fox shocks.

I think, like Chris said, that the bilstein quality must've went down or they have some quality control issues now. The fact that someone with my same shocks that got them around that same time is complaining about them getting stiffer is just too much of a coincidence.

Even comparing these fox that I have now to the bilsteins before they went bad, the fox just ride a whole lot softer. And they seem to be breaking in almost and gettin better still somehow.

 

[smokinstroker]

I think, like Chris said, that the bilstein quality must've went down or they have some quality control issues now. The fact that someone with my same shocks that got them around that same time is complaining about them getting stiffer is just too much of a coincidence.

Even comparing these fox that I have now to the bilsteins before they went bad, the fox just ride a whole lot softer. And they seem to be breaking in almost and gettin better still somehow.

reviews like this are great to hear! Fox is a great company with their stuff on point. And the pairing of Carli just makes it better.