Testing for Bilstein - LC200 6112/5160 (1 Viewer)

[unclemat]

It could be a good option for the right driver. I don’t think I would recommend it at first over a 2721/2 because with an increase of ride height, comes a higher center of gravity. With a higher center of gravity, when cornering, I like to add a firmer spring to help keep the truck more flat.

Again, only looking at a stock load truck. If the 200 was driven on the really bad roads of Chicago, it could give a more enjoyable ride there. If the 200 was driven on high speed smoother roads of LA, I would lean more to the 2721.

For on road driving, regardless of the rear spring, I still don’t think it’s good to have that much more lift on the front. It’s due to shifting more weight to the rear of the truck, it makes the steering lighter and less responsive. For off road driving, just talking about the front, that much lift gives very little down travel remaining.

I often see that with vehicles, when a company comes out with something that pretty much works, it get repeated on a lot of customer’s outfits. When another company wants to get into that market, they do one of two things. Steal the idea (which happens all too often) or make the case for something that the first product/company failed to acknowledge, then state why the second company’s product does not have those same short comings.

Usually, not always, but usually, just in my opinion, the second company is full of it. I don’t necessarily think Bilstein is providing a gimmicky spring here though. But I do feel like they sat down and said, “ok, we’re not going to beat ARB’s OME line at their own game, which is weight carrying. So let’s talk this whole, ‘lift for stock weights’ thing and get some market shares.”

That’s why I don’t think it will be a bad product, but I don’t think it was one of necessity either.

I did this 200 yesterday (parts were used, so I would of recommended a 2721 rear spring instead). It has BP-51s set to 1mm preload, 2722s, and factory front UCAs. The front is exactly 24mm lower than the front, and left to right balance is within 1mm.
View attachment 2242192
If this customer wouldn’t not have had a little off road trailer, I would of set preload a tad higher. But never mind that. For the ride, it is very smooth, not rough or jarring at all, and for the increased height, corners slightly worse than the factory height. It has slightly less “Cadillac float” than factory, but it looks balanced front to rear and like a “stink bug.” So if I put on a softer spring in the rear, and lifted the front higher like the Bilstein picture in the beginning of this thread, I just don’t see how that would feel better. I feel the Bilstein would feel more unstable and less planted.

Interesting thoughts on the rear spring rate.

I am getting Billies for my 2015 that has/will have fairly mild mods (rear Slee aluminium bumper, aluminium Bud skids, Bud sliders). I am debating the rear springs. I guess it is down to 2721 or the Bilstein springs.

Anyone here with more experience with Bilstein springs?

 

[777Gage]

I have the whole Bilstein package with their rear springs, but my 200 is otherwise stock - sans armor. I will say however that the ride is much better than stock, my best definition is the LC feels more planted. The spongy driving/cornering is gone. A buddy and his wife drove mine after the lift and then took their 2013 out and they love the way mine rides for comparison. The wife isn't a lift person though so doubt they'll be swapping for any lift.

In the future, I will be adding Bud Skids and sliders, but I'm not going with bumpers so I feel this is great for my purposes.

 

[unclemat]

Yeah, so I am wondering about springs and whether to get OME 2720 or 2721 instead. My goal is minimal lift (~1in in front) and better cargo carrying capacity.

What worries me about Bilstein springs is the stock like rate (~170 lbs). That would mean they will sag a lot when under load. They lift ~1.75 inch vs. stock but still they they'll drop by the same amount that stockers do under passenger/cargo load.

 

[25LGT]

Yeah, so I am wondering about springs and whether to get OME 2720 or 2721 instead. My goal is minimal lift (~1in in front) and better cargo carrying capacity.

What worries me about Bilstein springs is the stock like rate (~170 lbs). That would mean they will sag a lot when under load. They lift ~1.75 inch vs. stock but still they they'll drop by the same amount that stockers do under passenger/cargo load.

I have the Bilstein shocks and 2721 in the rear. I also have Arb bumper (yours haha) and full budbuilt SS skids. Unloaded the rears feels stiff. With 300-400 lbs in the back it feels great.

There are a few owner on the thread below with experience with the Bilstein rear spring.

Bilstein 6112/5160 Installed

You know. That was the plan and kind of worked, but it ended up tweaking the top hat alignment with the coils and the shock body was rubbing the coil on the mid section. I ended Up pulling it out anyways to fix / do it over again. after the fact a day later 🤦🏽‍♂️ . Ouch, good to know though

forum.ih8mud.com

If you're in my neck of the wood. Let me know and take it out for a spin.

 

[FerrisBueller]

Yeah, so I am wondering about springs and whether to get OME 2720 or 2721 instead. My goal is minimal lift (~1in in front) and better cargo carrying capacity.

What worries me about Bilstein springs is the stock like rate (~170 lbs). That would mean they will sag a lot when under load. They lift ~1.75 inch vs. stock but still they they'll drop by the same amount that stockers do under passenger/cargo load.

The rear Bilsteins do sag a lot under load. I gained an extra 2" in the back (even though they say 1.75"), but I lose almost all of that with the combination of kid(s) in back + duffle bags and food in back + rooftop box with sleeping bags and pads + hitch basket with big camp grill / chairs / tents.

All together that probably adds up to 450 or 500 pounds I think? Just an estimate.

 

[dcs111]

Yeah, so I am wondering about springs and whether to get OME 2720 or 2721 instead. My goal is minimal lift (~1in in front) and better cargo carrying capacity.

What worries me about Bilstein springs is the stock like rate (~170 lbs). That would mean they will sag a lot when under load. They lift ~1.75 inch vs. stock but still they they'll drop by the same amount that stockers do under passenger/cargo load.

As 25LGT notes, there is good bit of info in the thread he shared with various owner experiences and combinations. I would start with that as it helped me solve the springs/ use case question. In my case I decided on OME progressive rate springs with airbags… works to plan!

 

[kbohtx]

6112 fronts and 5160+OME 2720 rear springs here and love the setup. I can't speak to the Bilstein rear springs but the stock springs were very soft and, while "comfortable", would sag under any load, even a single 200lb adult in the rear seat. The 2720's are noticeably more stiff and seem to have added back a bit of height, but I did not measure before and after. I would say that with the stock rear springs the truck was level to maybe a slight sag in the rear and the 2720s have brought the rear up enough to have an ever so slight rake. I haven't had much in the way of a load in the rear of the truck, yet, but I anticipate it will sag much less, if at all, and will feel more controlled.

 

[unclemat]

I have the Bilstein shocks and 2721 in the rear. I also have Arb bumper (yours haha) and full budbuilt SS skids. Unloaded the rears feels stiff. With 300-400 lbs in the back it feels great.

Should have waited with selling it given the current shortages, lol...

There are a few owner on the thread below with experience with the Bilstein rear spring.

Bilstein 6112/5160 Installed

You know. That was the plan and kind of worked, but it ended up tweaking the top hat alignment with the coils and the shock body was rubbing the coil on the mid section. I ended Up pulling it out anyways to fix / do it over again. after the fact a day later 🤦🏽‍♂️ . Ouch, good to know though

forum.ih8mud.com

If you're in my neck of the wood. Let me know and take it out for a spin.

Good feedback and thank you for the offer!

 

[unclemat]

6112 fronts and 5160+OME 2720 rear springs here and love the setup. I can't speak to the Bilstein rear springs but the stock springs were very soft and, while "comfortable", would sag under any load, even a single 200lb adult in the rear seat. The 2720's are noticeably more stiff and seem to have added back a bit of height, but I did not measure before and after. I would say that with the stock rear springs the truck was level to maybe a slight sag in the rear and the 2720s have brought the rear up enough to have an ever so slight rake. I haven't had much in the way of a load in the rear of the truck, yet, but I anticipate it will sag much less, if at all, and will feel more controlled.

Very helpful. In fact, I was debating 2720 vs 2721 vs Bilstein springs. But it's down to 2720/2721 and I decided to order to both just in case.

And I suppose you have set 6112 to the lowest setting to get the stance you're describing?

 

[unclemat]

As 25LGT notes, there is good bit of info in the thread he shared with various owner experiences and combinations. I would start with that as it helped me solve the springs/ use case question. In my case I decided on OME progressive rate springs with airbags… works to plan!

Read every post on the subject, but wanted more confirmation. Bilstein's kit springs are definitely out now...

 

[25LGT]

Very helpful. In fact, I was debating 2720 vs 2721 vs Bilstein springs. But it's down to 2720/2721 and I decided to order to both just in case.

And I suppose you have set 6112 to the lowest setting to get the stance you're describing?

If i were to do it again, I would go with 2720. IMO the 2720 is perfect height and requires less lift up front. Therefore making alignment easier with stock UCA.

 

[jerbintennissee]

Have Bilstein with rear 2721s + rear aux tank. It’s a perfect combo with nearly stock feeling qualities when loaded. Far prefer over stock setup in nearly any condition.

 

[jefo13]

Have Bilstein with rear 2721s + rear aux tank. It’s a perfect combo with nearly stock feeling qualities when loaded. Far prefer over stock setup in nearly any condition.

What's your front set at?

 

[kbohtx]

Yes, my fronts are at the lowest setting. I don't have any good pics but I can try to get something tonight, if you'd like.

 

[jerbintennissee]

What's your front set at?

Perch 2. Still a modest rake that levels well when loaded.

 

[kbohtx]

Pic, lowest perch and OME 2720

 

[TNLNDCRZR]

I have the whole Bilstein package with their rear springs, but my 200 is otherwise stock - sans armor. I will say however that the ride is much better than stock, my best definition is the LC feels more planted. The spongy driving/cornering is gone. A buddy and his wife drove mine after the lift and then took their 2013 out and they love the way mine rides for comparison. The wife isn't a lift person though so doubt they'll be swapping for any lift.

In the future, I will be adding Bud Skids and sliders, but I'm not going with bumpers so I feel this is great for my purposes.

Are the bilstein rear coils different lengths to correct lean?

 

[777Gage]

Are the bilstein rear coils different lengths to correct lean?

I don't actually know, I ordered them from AJUSA if you want to check with them. My LC sits level and I didn't do anything else to it.

 

[jhg]

Are the bilstein rear coils different lengths to correct lean?

The standard Bilstein B12 (Standard) rear springs are the same height on the left and right.
The same is true for the B12 (Special) heavy lift rear springs.
I have compared and measured them in person.

 

[TNLNDCRZR]

The standard Bilstein B12 (Standard) rear springs are the same height on the left and right.
The same is true for the B12 (Special) heavy lift rear springs.
I have compared and measured them in person.

Will they need a spacer in order to be level? If so, any idea how much?