[RedRocker]

I have had my 5100's (front only) on my truck since last October. I replaced the tires and wheels with 16x8 MM's and P265 75 16 Revos, I also had the rear Tsb done. After all these mods the truck just rides like sh*t. I thought the 5100's would ride better than the stock Bilsteins but they don't. The rear is a little stiffer but it is bearable. Has anyone tried a different leveling kit that maintains the factory ride? Does anyone have or have tried the leveling kits from Readylift or similiar product to improve their ride?

When I look at the 5100 set-up it looks like the farther up that you set your lift the more it compresses the springs thus giving a rougher ride. If anyone disagrees with my logic let me know.

I have also lowered my tire pressure from 38 psi to 32 psi which has helped some but I am looking for a softer ride if possible.


Thanks for your help!

Scott

 

[05SCtaco]

You are correct, the higher you go the stiffer it gets. If you are at stock height you will notice the different. If you have a friend that has a similar truck with a different leveling kit, take a ride and do a comparison, ps. the 5100's will no way compare to the more expensive coil over setup.

 

[Trail Gator]

5100s in the rear as well.

 

[sechsgang]

I have to agree, the 5100's make for a pretty stiff ride. It's not that I can't take it, but if I would have had a chance to test it before getting them, then I would probably have gone a different route.
I was a little surprised because I read nothing but praise about them on here, especially how they improve the ride. I sure can't report that. Maybe if they are set to the lowest level (no lift)? Again, it really is not too bad, but also not what I expected. Even some asphalt roads feel like you are on a dirt road if they are not 100% smooth ....

Da Hui, you think that adding 5100's to the rear will fix this? Can you explain please? (Like the OP, I also only installed them in the front).

 

[bwtaco]

I have the 5100's, front at 1.75" and the rears w/ tsb and yea it is stiffer but IMHO I believe the truck handles 100% better than stock.No more bottoming out and body roll is not near as pronounced vs. stock.But yea it's stiffer riding.The least expensive way to get back the softer ride and keep your lift would probably be to set your 5100's on the lowest or next to lowest setting and go with a top plate spacer which does not preload the spring; they mount on top of the strut thus making the entire strut asssembly longer.These come in different sizes depending on desired lift.If I remember correctly there was someone here running the 5100's at .85" with a 1/2" top plate spacer.This combo was good for about 1.75" total lift up front.My only concern about the top plate spacers,mainly the larger ones, are that if you are going to wheel your truck you might be extending your front suspension to the limits of topping out.But if you are not into heavy wheeling, this might be an inexpensive way to get a plusher ride.Just a thought.....

 

[Marty McFly]

what height are your shocks set at? 2.5? Im running the 5100's at the .85" lift, and it feels 98% stock. When I get new tires, ill probably go 1.75 or 2.5". depending on the ride.

 

[sechsgang]

Marty, mine are at 1.75", and the ride is pretty stiff compared to stock. I will leave it the way it is, but I was surprised by how rough it got.

 

[andy07]

i had mine at 1.75 and had a stiff ride and bump steer so i went down to the .85 setting and its much better ride not so harsh and no bump steer..

 

[sechsgang]

i had mine at 1.75 and had a stiff ride and bump steer so i went down to the .85 setting and its much better ride not so harsh and no bump steer..

Andy, I was thinking this morning that you have lowered your 5100 setting, and was wondering how that effects the ride. Thanks for posting.

When I am on a not 100% smooth road, it sometimes almost feels like a vibration, but not felt in the steering wheel, but the whole truck. I know it's not a vibe because it's gone on other roads. Just to explain what it feels like sometimes.
Andy, what are the symptoms of bump steer? I don't think I have that problem, just wondering. Could that have to do with the alignment? After the 5100's went in, my truck handled really crappy until I had a good alignment done (needed two attempts also to get it really good).