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Installed Bilstein 5100's

CenFL Avalanche

Full Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Messages
171
On Thursday I had Bilstein 5100's installed at all four corners of my 2007 Avy Z71.  I went with the 1.18 lift adjustment for the front and don't regret it.  The running boards are level with the ground now.  I could have gone for the next higher adjustment, which would had made the front/rear wheel opening to tire distance look more equal, but then the running board would have inclined up at the front of the truck.

Bottom line; the ride is much better and I look forward to driving the truck more.  Since having them installed, I've been over many railroad crossings, brick roads, and rough asphalt.  Before installing the shocks, these encounters were very uncomfortable and rocked the Avy.  With the bilsteins, they now feel like minor road imperfections.

I had some people tell me that bilsteins give a rough feel.  I have to disagree.  These shocks provide a solid, comfortable ride IMO.
 
Nice, thanks for reporting your experience.  This will me my next mod on my 2011 and I was trying to decide which setting to use.  Any pics?
 
Here are pics of the Avy with new Bilsteins all around with a 1.18 lift selected for the fronts. 
 

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I don't recall if we can post this, but I ended up buying my shocks at www.shockwarehouse.com
They are in Florida too and I got them the next day with free shipping.

I tried getting the shocks elsewhere, but those suppliers had the fronts but not the backs, and vice-versa. 
 
Thanks!  The ride is excellent now; feels like a totally different vehicle.  The leveled body looks a lot better too.
 
I just installed the new bilsteins in the front; there was no need to replace the springs.  My only slight regret is not requesting the mechanic to replace the factory rod dust covers since they were a little dry-rotted.
 
You're really going to like them; my Avalanche feels like a new truck now.  Shock Warehouse came through great on my order.
 
I don't have the comparison measurements.  I am satisfied that the 1.18 lift I selected brings the running board level with the ground.  The rear wheel well still has more space to the tire than the front opening, but since I tow a trailer, that rear comes down during towing.  The next higher setting would make the wheel openings look more equal, but there would be an upward rake in the running board to the front of the truck.

One thing I never mentioned is that I didn't have to install any blocks in addition to the shock setting to get the lift.  A few installers I went to insisted this was needed.  Not true, unless you feel the need to pay out more cash for unnecessary blocks :D
 
I am installing tomorrow and will do the same 1.18 lift, to keep the running boards even.  I will try to take a before and after pic with measurements
 
Petrica98 said:
I am installing tomorrow and will do the same 1.18 lift, to keep the running boards even.  I will try to take a before and after pic with measurements

Awesome, thank you!  Appreciate real world before/after measurements.
 
Installed today, went really well.  Installed to the 1.18" ring on the shock and got a total of 1 3/8" or so lift.
 

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Great to hear that everything went well with the install and 1.18 lift.  (y)  It's too bad our pictures make it hard to see the distance in the wheel well because the tire and wheel wells are both black.  With my truck being black, it makes the visual even worse  :rolleyes:
 
I plan on going with the bilsteins soon as well. I have a 2" level built into my 3.5" lift kit front and 1.5" rear lift but I will probably lift it with the shock as well
 
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