Here's The Difference Between Bilstein 5100 And Bilstein 4600!!

Here's Why I'm Ditching My Bilstein 5100!! Bilstein 5100 Vs. Bilstein 4600!! This One Reason Made Me Switch To Bilstein 4600!! Bilstein 5100 5 Years Later!! Here's The Difference Between The Bilstein 5100 And Bilstein 4600!! #bilstein5100 #bilstein4600 #Trucks

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In this video I show why I'm switching from Bilstein 5100 to the 4600 model on my 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. This truck has had the Bilstein 5100 in stalled for about 5 years now and I've certainly noticed a change. I decided to replace them but went back to the classic blue and yellow Bilstein 4600 model. I then set out on a 300 mile road trip to really get a feel for the difference. The details are in this video. Enjoy!

***This channel is for entertainment purposes only! Do not do what I do. Do not take my advice. I am not a professional. The methods I use may be completely wrong and/or dangerous. Please seek professional help with anything and everything and do your own due diligence (research). Working on cars is extremely dangerous. I am not responsible for any loss of life or limb or property. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. THIS CHANNEL IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!***

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00:00 Intro
00:55 Bilstein 5100 Vs. 4600
01:33 What I've Noticed
02:13 Why Bilstein 4600
03:07 Installing Bilstein 4600
04:14 Initial Impressions
06:02 The Look Of The Shocks
07:10 Final Thoughts
08:06 Conclusion

[TonicofSonic]

I confirmed on the phone with bilstien there is no difference from the 5100 to the 4600 except the 5100 can work on a truck lifted up to 2 inches.
Otherwise they perform exactly the same and the 5100 works the same at stock ride height.

[MegaHowtoMan]

4600 are amazing on my 03 Tahoe. Ride on highway is like a modern vehicle. LOVE the reliability of these Tahoes and Suburbans.

[ED-titc]

I think 4600 came stock on my 98. When they wore out, i put yellow Monroe on. They were ok. About 10 yr ago i found out AutoZone sold Bilstein. I bought a set for the rear and love them. If i remember correctly, going through AutoZone they have a limited life time warranty. But i love my Bilstein shocks. When i get my front end rebuilt, im putting new Bilstein all the way around.

[oldgm]

I remember your 5100 installation video like it happened yesterday! 4600 is amazing installed on 2002 Crown Victoria lowred for 4 years and still ride like a new while another brands not stand for more 1 year!

[Roberto-gpyx]

Bc this is not a paid sponsored review … people need to understand that when it comes to a vehicle and its maintenance… no one pays attention to the suspension until they have a catastrophic failure let alone will they pay attention to oil changes and other fluid maintenance
So it’s good to see a review based on how one feels their vehicle should be running and the mileage one puts on certain components of their vehicle

[ALMXDP]

I believe there are some minor valving differences between the 4600 and 5100s. I'm also on a set of mixed and matched Bilsteins 4600s up front and 5100s in the rear (mostly because retailers were out of the 5100s when I was buying the fronts). But they seem to work well together anyways so happy with it as is.

[DirtE]

Both fantastic shocks. Different valveving slightly. The other issue is the stock ride height of a lift capable shock. May have been bottoming the 5100’s at times.

[Green_Leaf]

Great Video.

I use the 5100 on my 4WD Frontier with a 2” leveling kit. So far I notice the truck is more reactive to the road.

[JoshDurston]

Both the 4600 and 5100 come in a variety of lengths. Big plus for the 4600 is the paint is much more rust resistant than the zinc coating on the 5100.
Note that OEM Bilsteins are not the same as aftermarket even if they have the same looks and yellow paint. OEM shocks have the vendors' specific valving (probably softer), aftermarket has the Bilstein (probably stiffer) valving.

[douglasdever]

The 5100s are used more in the front with the spring perch, that has a coil spring mounted, allowing for adjustablity to give a 1-2" (or more) lift to the vehicle. Your system uses torsion bars so adjustable shocks are not needed. Honestly, should have gone with the 4600 the first time around and would have save a few bucks. Like you said, internally, basically the same single tube, gas filled, digressive valve shock.
The 5100s are zinc coated steel, while the 4600s are painted. And the paint can wear off just as quick as the zinc can look dirty.
Also, the 5100s are longer since they tend to be used with vehicles that have been lifted. If you crank your torsion bars to lift the front end, you might have needed the 5100s; not having lifted the front end makes the 5100 appear to be too long. But in some cases, length only matters at certain times.

[warrenlucier]

The 5100's are more for off road, like out on a ranch etc. . The 4600's are made for paved roads and I had them on my 1996 Ford F150 with a towing package and my current Toyota Tacoma.

[rondogwil]

I had a full set of 4600s on my 97 F250 HD for about 20 years before I noticed a rear leaking. I replaced the rears with new 4600s. Then I noticed the front bouncing down the road with my slide in truck camper on the back. So I replaced the fronts with new 4600s. I figured if the first set lasted 20 years, that was reason enough to buy them again.

[toyotabrony]

@1ROAD

there’s nothing wrong of swapping g from 5100 to 4600. It’s still an upgrade monotube shock absorbers.

Honestly Bilstein B6/4600 is still a must have shocks.


2: When are u gonna upgrade ur front 3157 turn signals, ur rear 3156 turn signals with sylvania zevo amber, and a Novita - LED flasher relay, and a Sylvania - zevo 3157 red led bulbs for ur 03’ Chevy suburban?


Ur truck needs a full complete zevo bulb upgrades ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

We would love to see them how they perform well for ur Chevy application content 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[SuperDutyXL]

Plan on replacing my stock shocks on my F350 with 4600s. great video.

[jewllake]

I think the blue AC Delco shocks are the best. I replaced mine on my 2006 GMC Yukon 4x4 with over 140K miles a few months back. They felt very stiff when pushing down and came back up smoothly. I sold them of facebook market place for 60.00. I used the 4600 and I opted to buy the bushings from GM as they are beefier and include a heavy nylon sleeve to help eat up that very large hole on the top frame mount. I still have the stock Nivomat self leveling shocks in the rear. I do have the 5100 on my 2018 Z71 Crew Cab Sierra.

[omorin]

I run my 2018 ram 2500 with 2" lift Thuren springs and 2007 4600 shocks. The previous version ran longer shocks, well in the front. The spring shock combo is like butter.

[dougc]

I put Bilstein 4600 on everything. Got them on a small blazer, which at first I put Monroe's on because I didn't have the money, and literally 6 months later I put the bilstein's on it, what A difference. Same with a 84 1 ton Chevrolet van put Monroe Magnums on it(again money problems but it cost me more in the long run), yeah they were just barely better than the blown ones, 30 ft Class c motorhome on a Ford chassis that was the biggest difference right there. So when I'm getting at is save your money and get the Bilsteins from the get-go.

[corail]

they are the exact same shock - the 5100 is designed for slightly lifted vehicles while the 4600 is designed for oem spec. Internally they are the exact same.

[kelstr]

Amazing video; I just bought two 5100’s for the front of my 2020 F350. But I’m not lifted, so I’m returning them and throwing in some 4600’s. Might need to spray paint them tho haha

[aportilla]

I recently put 4600 on a 99 Jeep TJ. I also put in an OME steering stabilizer. The Jeep rides awesome.