how necessary is it to run them? perhaps a stupid question on my part, but i think they look kinda fugly and want to take them off before i install this weekend.

 

Most guys I know run without. I don't have them on. Less place for dirt and water to collect.

 

They are not necrssary at all. They are just a trap to hold water and dirt in that will contribute to rusting. Most remove them and I agree they are fugly.

 

The boots tend to do more harm than good, I remove all mine.

 

thanks for the input guys! kinda what i figured, and no fugly!

 

I took mine off as well but I was told that removing it might void the lifetime warranty on them. Not sure if that's true or not. My old lift I had Bilsteins and left the boot on. One shock failed on me and Bilstein swapped it out without question. I doubt it would be that easy with my new shocks with the boot removed.

 

I never even thought of taking mine off.

They are all crinkled up and weird looking anyway.

 

X2. They can hold water and moisture.

 

They look a lot better without them.

 

I was just going to ask about this...everyone I see with Bilstien 5100's has the boot on there and it all crinckled and smashed up. It would definitely look way better without it. Good to know.