Glad you posted this as I was just looking at this yesterday. My gut says we can use these at stock height, but I will make some phone calls today and confirm.

 

FYI I called Bilstein directly. They only recommend 5100s on Tremor package. Stock height non-Tremor is a no go according to them.

 

That is there go to generic response. It's almost like they don't want to lose sales of their 4600 shocks, even though that makes no sense, so they tell people the 5100's are for lifted trucks only. Then you compare the lengths of 4600's to that of the 5100's, and the lengths of their competitors shocks that fit with 0 lift and it becomes apparent that the Bilstein CS is full of ****. They obviously don't know how little hieght the suspension on the Tremor gives compared to say a 17-19 Super Duty.

The front 5100's should say 0-2", even that is a stretch, no idea how Bilstein decided on 2-2.5". They are actually shorter than the FOX 2.0 that is speced for 0-1.5" on these trucks.

 

Depends on the compressed and extended length. If the measurements are the same, there is no reason why it shouldn't work as expected unless shock mounts don't fit. Otherwise you'll have nothing to worry about unless your stock suspension was compressing or extending the original shocks too far.

 

Formerly, the 5100s were listed as 0-2" of lift (or 1.5" maybe). I highly doubt they changed them. The reason they could be not recommended is because they are valued for bigger heavier wheel/ tire combinations. Less unsprung weight could leave them feeling stiff.
Fox lists 2.0 for 0-1.5"

 

I’m still running original shocks on my 2016. They are not leaking and the ride seems fine but I do plan on replacing them in the next 6 months. I was planning on the 5100’s so any more info is appreciated.


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Woah! How many miles? The stockers are usually pretty beat by 40k. Less than that for the Ranchphaux on the FX4 according to my shop.

 

Thanks for the info so far. I reached out on another forum and the general consensus is that the 5100's are fine on stock height vehicles with several people using them. Here is one of the reply's:

 

Here is a video comparing the 2. It sounds like the 5100 has valving to hand the unsprung weight of a lifted vehicle. Not sure how that would affect a non lifted vehicle. Maybe someone with more knowledge than me can comment.

My issue with the 4600 is they are butt ugly.

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UPDATE - Installed the 5100's on all four corners this week, to include the steering stabilizer. Everything fit perfectly and the shocks are performing as expected. Ride is much more "planted" without being harsh. If you're on the fence between the two models based on stock vs lifted specs listed by Bilstein, I wouldn't worry about it and go with the 5100's...

Chris

 

called Bilstein and talked to one of the engineers for 20 minutes about this subject.He said few outside Bilstein corporate know that the the 5100 and the 4600 are exactly the same internally,with the same valve setup.He stated other than color shell that they are exact.