LLY: Which Bilstein 5100's for my truck?

[ksstang]

Hey all, getting ready to pull the trigger on a set of Bilstein 5100's for my truck. Pretty sure my factory shocks are gone. It rides absolutely rougher than hell. The truck is a 2004 LLY extended cab 4x4. The front torsion keys are stock, with maybe 1 turn on them, if that. The rear is stock height, with Firestone ride rite bags on it.

I'm guessing after looking that I need part numbers:

Front: 24-186735 0-2.5" lift
Rear: 24-186742 0" lift

Just wanted to check and see if that's what I need for the fears since the airbags do raise the truck some when aired up. Honestly though, the only time I have air in them over 10-15lbs is when I am pulling our 37' horse trailer.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[clrussell]

The specs look correct..

Run 0 psi in the bags when they are empty.. Even though they say not to.. Best ride that way

 

[SoCalMike]

How much psi do you run in the tires when empty? If you run high psi while you are empty (not towing or loaded) you will get a rough ride also.

 

[ksstang]

The specs look correct..

Run 0 psi in the bags when they are empty.. Even though they say not to.. Best ride that way

Will it not hurt the bags to do that? The last thing I want to do is ruin them.

How much psi do you run in the tires when empty? If you run high psi while you are empty (not towing or loaded) you will get a rough ride also.

I tend to run 70psi in them when not towing, and 75psi when towing. I just don't want to wear them faster, or get worse fuel mileage running them too low.

 

[ksstang]

I am in the process of going back to Hankook Dynapro ATM tires, as the Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx's I have on it are about shot, not to mention they are ridiculously noisy! Just thought I'd upgrade the shocks too, as I'm pretty sure they are original. If they aren't original I'm guessing they've only been replaced once, and the truck has 150k on it,

 

[SoCalMike]

I tend to run 70psi in them when not towing, and 75psi when towing. I just don't want to wear them faster, or get worse fuel mileage running them too low.

Running them at 70psi empty will wear out the center of the tire. Giving you shorter tire life and giving you a very rough ride. What size tire are you running?

 

[ksstang]

Running them at 70psi empty will wear out the center of the tire. Giving you shorter tire life and giving you a very rough ride. What size tire are you running?

They are 285/70-17's E load

 

[SoCalMike]

When empty run 50 front 40 rear. Air them up before you tow.

I have the same size tires you have and I run 48 front 38 rear when empty.

 

[ksstang]

When empty run 50 front 40 rear. Air them up before you tow.

I have the same size tires you have and I run 48 front 38 rear when empty.

Ok, I will give that a try when I get my new ones. They won't wear out or cause crappy fuel mileage that low? I've never had a problem when the centers of mine wearing out at 65-70psi in the past. But I'm all for trying something new if it'll help out.

 

[SoCalMike]

Ok, I will give that a try when I get my new ones. They won't wear out or cause crappy fuel mileage that low? I've never had a problem when the centers of mine wearing out at 65-70psi in the past. But I'm all for trying something new if it'll help out.

I'm not sure about mpg but you will get a better ride with the new shocks and tire adjustment. I'm sure mpg will be affected a little, but it shouldn't be that much.

At that psi you should get better tire wear as you are using all of the tread instead of just the center.

 

[Awenta]

5100s aren't the shocks for a better ride.

I always run no air in the bags and never had issues. The only way you would damage them is if you crushed them with no air. That could potentially cut through it.

I run 42 front 33 rear empty.

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[SoCalMike]

5100s aren't the shocks for a better ride.

I always run no air in the bags and never had issues. The only way you would damage them is if you crushed them with no air. That could potentially cut through it.

I run 42 front 33 rear empty.

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Dam. And I thought I ran my tires low.....

 

[Awenta]

Dam. And I thought I ran my tires low.....

I've gone lower haha. Should mention they're 37/13.5/20 not the same size. Also E load.

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[ksstang]

What would be a better choice for shocks for a great ride, but also good for towing? I was thinking I had heard that the 5100's were awesome once they had some time on them. I realize it's a 3/4 truck, but my wife and I tend to drive it more on the highway when going places (empty) over her escape as it gets better fuel mileage. I'm just wanting a smoother ride overall!

 

[jliddle]

Ranchos have a smoother ride depending on what setting they're adjusted to.

Also some of your bad ride quality can source from the rear cab mounts. Updated hydraulic type is a pretty common fix.

Checking in also for the wooden wagon ride quality crew:thumb:

 

[malibu795]

I run 5100(silver) on my LMM hotshot.. had a fairly decent ride with the truck coming back from idaho to ohio about 2200 miles.. considering I didn't take some of the 80psi out of the 19.5 (f load range)tires that are on the truck...
I haven't ran the yellow/blue ones, heard they aren't as firm as the silver ones

 

[malibu795]

Ranchos have a smoother ride depending on what setting they're adjusted to.

Also some of your bad ride quality can source from the rear cab mounts. Updated hydraulic type is a pretty common fix.

Checking in also for the wooden wagon ride quality crew:thumb:

Hydraulic type cab mount?!?

 

[SoCalMike]

I've gone lower haha. Should mention they're 37/13.5/20 not the same size. Also E load.

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I just looked up the inflation load chart for my tires. Says I should be around 40psi front / 35psi rear for my truck with the tires I am running now.

Seams low but it's what the tires can handle. I'm going to try 45 front 35 rear for now and see how it feels.

 

[WVRigrat05]

I run 35 psi all the way around. Get 13-17 MPG's, my truck he 35's and weights 8700 so you'll get a little better.

I run 0 psi in my bags as well sometimes. My truck has 1000+ lbs in the bed 99% of the time so they usually have 10 or so, but if the tanks empty I run them at 0.

 

[SoCalMike]

Hydraulic type cab mount?!?

That what some people call the newer rear cab mounts. I don't know if they are "hydraulic" though...