So as my lift install date gets closer, I am second-guessing my shocks. I have the 4" Superlift with just the basic shocks it came with. A guy I bought my control arms off of is running this same 4" lift with Bilsteins and he said he wouldn't have done it any other way. He also said he has always run Bilsteins and is very picky about his shocks.

Kind of a newbie set of questions, but here goes...
1. Considering I am more than likely going to pay to have my install done at a shop...should I spend the extra $320 or so and get a set of Bilstein 5100s?
2. Is there that much of a difference? Especially on-road?
3. What makes Bilsteins so great?

Thanks for the help

 

bilsteins are a good gas charged monotube shock that offers a firmer and responsive ride. are they worth the upgrade, yeah, i would say yes.

 

I'm sure bilsteins are great shocks cause they have a great reputation but what works for one may not work for the other and it's gonna be a learning experience as you go with different components from different manufacturers. You'll eventually figure it out, at least that's my take. I currently have Skyjacker nitros and think the on road ride is too hard and the shock body is rusting after a year so I'm gonna try the rancho adjustables so I can dial in what I want when I want! I was gonna go with bilsteins but changed my mind.

 

I have them on my 07 But not on my 08 or my 06 hope this helps.

 

The standard shocks run approx $150 or so and bilstiens run approx $360.00 roughly

the upgrade should be around $200-$250 Max not over 320.

Are they worth it? Depends

The standard shocks are going to give you a soft non responsive ride. And Bilstiens are going to give you a firm over responsive ride in my opinion.

It is all about what you like.

David

 

Be prepaed for the Rancho tubes to rust in the same amount time. This has happen on 2 differnt vehicles of mine so far. This last time I even tried 2 coats of clear to slow it down.

 

could you just rattle can some paint over the shock body to keep it from rusting?

 

If I were the OP I'd upgrade. I've got the Bilsteins with my RE 3.5 lift kit and am happy with them. I hate to open a further can of worms bu there maybe differences in 5100's. RE had Bilstein come out and they supposedly spent a couple of weeks dialing them in for RE. AEV uses Bilsteins in their lift and supposedly also have custom valving to meet their desires. How the RE and AEV compare to a std Bilstein 5100 for a JK is something I don't know. Having riden in an AEV JK with their kit I'd say that the AEV shocks are a bit firmer than the RE shocks.

How's that for further confusing the issue? But if I could upgrade for the 250 David mentioned I'd do it.

 

Upgrade your shocks. Worth every cent.

I went with the cheap shocks on my TJ originally and hated the lift... it was like a pogo stick. Then I installed bilsteins and my opinion changed completely. Never again; buy good shocks the first time. Do not settle on this.

Bilstein is a great company and my shock of choice at this time, but there are probably other good shocks out there.

 

I run the bilstein 5100s and love them. They provide a firmer ride, which I like much more than the mushy stock shocks, and perform especially well on the trail. Before I switched shocks I would bounce all over the place when coming off rocks or riding over whoop-dee-whoops. With the bilsteins, the shock is absorbed just enough to make the landing smooth but they are firm enough where there is very little bounce/roll. Highly reccomended!