Identifying Bilstein Shocks

[JeepAEK]

So the previous owner installed Bilstein 5100 shocks.

Is there anyway to identify what level of lift they were made for? I assume they are the 0-2" variety, but wanted to confirm, as I assume they will be better than any budget aftermarket lift kit shocks.

 

[Chris]

Look for part numbers on them.

 

[jjvw]

....

Is there anyway to identify what level of lift they were made for? ...

That is the incorrect question. What you want to know is the total travel of the shock shaft and how much of that shaft is showing at the Jeep's normal ride height. Ideally, roughly half of the shock shaft is visible right now at the normal ride height.

 

[JeepAEK]

So, I have the 0-2" variety. I think I have the wife (this is her jeep) talked into a 2" lift so that we can keep these, as the previous owner had JUST installed them.

So now on the hunt for some true 2" springs. Looking at BDS, but everything I have found is they are closer to 2.5". Any suggestions on a true 2" lift spring?

 

[macleanflood]

I like Currie springs. I replaced my 4" PO installed ProComp springs and gained 2 inches.

-Mac

 

[jjvw]

So, I have the 0-2" variety. I think I have the wife (this is her jeep) talked into a 2" lift so that we can keep these, as the previous owner had JUST installed them.

So now on the hunt for some true 2" springs. Looking at BDS, but everything I have found is they are closer to 2.5". Any suggestions on a true 2" lift spring?

There is no true 2" lift spring apart from a blocks of steel that are 2" longer than your existing springs at their current ride height. Any and all springs react against the weight of the vehicle, making any and all advertised lift heights an approximation depending on how your Jeep is different from the one a company used to design their springs.

 

[JeepAEK]

There is no true 2" lift spring apart from a blocks of steel that are 2" longer than your existing springs at their current ride height. Any and all springs react against the weight of the vehicle, making any and all advertised lift heights an approximation depending on how your Jeep is different from the one a company used to design their springs.

That makes sense.

Think the Bilstein 0-2" shocks would be ok if the BDS provided a little more than a 2" lift? Guess I could install rear spring relocation brackets too.

 

[jjvw]

That makes sense.

Think the Bilstein 0-2" shocks would be ok if the BDS provided a little more than a 2" lift? Guess I could install rear spring relocation brackets too.

No idea. I don't select shocks based on lift height. I choose them based on their measurements to get as close to 50/50 travel from the normal ride height.

 

[lBasket]

No idea. I don't select shocks based on lift height. I choose them based on their measurements to get as close to 50/50 travel from the normal ride height.

So what is the process to do this, is it

1. Install new lift springs
2. Measure length between shock mount points
3. Order shock where body + 1/2 extended length is length from 2?

Or is there more to it? Or a way to do so such that you can order springs and shocks at the same time?

 

[jjvw]

So what is the process to do this, is it

1. Install new lift springs
2. Measure length between shock mount points
3. Order shock where body + 1/2 extended length is length from 2?

Or is there more to it? Or a way to do so such that you can order springs and shocks at the same time?

At normal ride height, the distance between shock mounts should be the compressed shock length plus 50% of the total travel. Or close to that.

 

[lBasket]

At normal ride height, the distance between shock mounts should be the compressed shock length plus 50% of the total travel. Or close to that.

Okay so not quite the same as travel length + body length. And the only real way to not "guess" is to install the springs first and figure out the distance between mount points?

I guess I just don't remember reading people buying springs then shocks later so I'm not sure if I'm missing something or that's the way to do it. I know you can't take X" of lift at face value since all our jeeps weigh differently.

 

[jjvw]

Okay so not quite the same as travel length + body length. And the only real way to not "guess" is to install the springs first and figure out the distance between mount points?

I guess I just don't remember reading people buying springs then shocks later so I'm not sure if I'm missing something or that's the way to do it. I know you can't take X" of lift at face value since all our jeeps weigh differently.

Travel length is the full shock travel. We want half travel each direction from normal ride height

 

[TheBoogieman]

So the previous owner installed Bilstein 5100 shocks.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[jjvw]

...

I guess I just don't remember reading people buying springs then shocks later so I'm not sure if I'm missing something or that's the way to do it. I know you can't take X" of lift at face value since all our jeeps weigh differently.

People tend to do things haphazardly and then justify why something doesn't work. My approach is to try understanding how the pieces fit together so I can buy or build stuff that works reasonably well.

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

So, I have the 0-2" variety. I think I have the wife (this is her jeep) talked into a 2" lift so that we can keep these, as the previous owner had JUST installed them.

So now on the hunt for some true 2" springs. Looking at BDS, but everything I have found is they are closer to 2.5". Any suggestions on a true 2" lift spring?

bds is garbage and will rust and fail quickly. buy quality like currie.