Bilstein 7100 Valving - What's best

[g-money]

I need to have my Bilstein 7100 Shocks revalved. My front end is WAY too soft.

Currently I have the 255/70 valving and the front end is all over the place. When I make a turn the front end bounces all over.

What the general consensus on the valving: 360/80, 345/135, 360/160

Thanks

 

[toddz69]

I need to have my Bilstein 7100 Shocks revalved. My front end is WAY too soft.

Currently I have the 255/70 valving and the front end is all over the place. When I make a turn the front end bounces all over.

What the general consensus on the valving: 360/80, 345/135, 360/160

Thanks

360/80 is what you want.

Todd Z.

 

[Godwick]

This is me reviving a long-dead thread - Hey, that rhymed! I threw some Bilstein 7100s with 360/80 on my ride and it was definitely too stiff. Currently getting them re-valved by Lee (a great guy, incidentally) for much softer. Not sure if they switched up the stacks over the years, but my experience has been shared by at least one other on these boards. Just a head's for anyone searching the shock archives and looking for advice. Digressive valving, soft compression, decent rebound, hoping it's gonna be as nice as the dollars I paid for it.

 

[garberz]

Interesting, you say that's too stiff. I have the same valving, it seems good for my application. What are you changing it to?

 

[73stallion]

i've got the 360/80 valving up front too, it's perfect if not a touch soft for mine too. it'd be too stiff for the REAR if that's what you're talking about.

 

[Godwick]

Negative. Too stiff for the front. I run deaver coils 1" over stock and WH 10pack rears. Without any shocks it's understandably soft, but not at all safe. With the 360/80 up front and 255/70 in the back, it was still uncomfortable. Everybody at the time recommended the 360/80 in the front, but the ride was unsatisfactory enough to make me pull them and send them off to get revalved.
Without a shock dyno I can't be sure what they're being revalved too. Softer compressin shims, same digressive piston and same rebound. Spoke to Wes at bilstein and Herman at Denuncio racing. Seemed to think that 360/80 was a bit stiff as well. We'll see what comes of the work. Fingers crossed.

 

[ntsqd]

First for me, all I've ever heard of is 360/80 being too soft for higher speed use. Never heard of too soft. 360/80 is Bilstein's default valving for any coil spring, be it EB, D90, JK, TJ, etc.

Where do you have them mounted?

 

[spap]

Don't they still make KYB s that are adjustable by pushing down and turning the top of the rod. I had those on my first bronco 15 years ago and you could dial it in pretty nicely. I am looking for the second set of front shocks also

 

[Godwick]

Had them mounted on f250 shock towers. 12" short body remote reservoirs.

 

[DirtyDave]

I have 14" short body / reservoirs up front using the 255/70 vaving with 4.5" Deavers and after charging the shocks with nitrogen today it is still way too soft for me. Under acceleration the front left corner will lift and it also wants to dive under hard braking. Is anyone using the 275/78 or is this not enough change to notice the difference?

 

[toddz69]

I have 14" short body / reservoirs up front using the 255/70 vaving with 4.5" Deavers and after charging the shocks with nitrogen today it is still way too soft for me. Under acceleration the front left corner will lift and it also wants to dive under hard braking. Is anyone using the 275/78 or is this not enough change to notice the difference?

Too soft for the front for sure and 275/78's won't be enough of a difference for the front. I'd use 275/78's on the rear though.

Todd Z.

 

[Godwick]

Dirty D: What's you lift look like? I've got some 5150s that are valved to 255/70 that you can slap on and test ride if you like, but they're only 8" travel I believe. PM me if you want to give 'er a spin.

 

[Godwick]

I find it interesting that so many have had good results with the 7100s and 360/80 valving. Maybe something to do with lift? Shouldn't be, though, bc I had my Deaver coils sprung at the rate of their 2.5" lift. I also know that extended radius arms softens the ride and I'm guessing significantly.
Wonder if the wah does the same.

 

[Greg_B]

I added new front and rear plate bumpers along with a full roll cage and my shocks seems to soft... they were about perfect before... Then I remembered my 12 year old Rancho 9000s were adjustable... one click of that little wheel and they feel right once again. I know some people dont like them but they have serviced my Bronco great.

Greg

 

[Daddy4zack]

Just spoke with Joel at Bilstein. Great guy lots of info. He is recomending 255/70 valving for the rear and 255/100 valving for the front. (front has more weight and he seems to like Less rebound) That will have to be a custom order. It will be a few weeks to get them...

What do you guys think? Ordering soon..

 

[toddz69]

Just spoke with Joel at Bilstein. Great guy lots of info. He is recomending 255/70 valving for the rear and 255/100 valving for the front. (front has more weight and he seems to like Less rebound) That will have to be a custom order. It will be a few weeks to get them...

What do you guys think? Ordering soon..

I think you should go for it and let us know how you like it. Joel knows his stuff.

Todd Z.

 

[garberz]

I think that valving will be too stiff and not enough rebound. 255 is generally a good rebound # for leafs, but not nearly enough for coil springs. Why don't you start with the 360/80, then have them custom valved if they're not to your liking. You may be surprised. I've only run these shocks on mine, (14" SBR 360/80 valving) I wouldn't want them any stiffer and I think less rebound would make it pogo. Coil springs store a lot of energy. I know toddz69 and ntsqd have a lot of valving experience, I went with their recommendation.
Mark

 

[Daddy4zack]

I think you should go for it and let us know how you like it. Joel knows his stuff.

Todd Z.

Thanks.. I think i will go with recommendations and try the 360/80. As I can always re-valve if not happy. Joel Ward knows his stuff. But every bronco is different.... I am thinking of 255/70 in rear. Or 275/78???

I will call Shane&Lee and get a second opinion also. Or that will just confuse me more. But ill get a place to start and revalve if needed.

 

[Godwick]

Like you said, you can always get them revalved, but it is more money and a pita. I think you're confusing the numbers too. If I remember correctly the top number is the compression rate and the bottom the rebound. Might want to double check there.
Good luck.

 

[garberz]

Like you said, you can always get them revalved, but it is more money and a pita. I think you're confusing the numbers too. If I remember correctly the top number is the compression rate and the bottom the rebound. Might want to double check there.
Good luck.

The first number is rebound, the second is compression.