Need help - Bilstein 7100 shock lengths?

[sdever98]

I am going to upgrade my front suspension to BC 5.5" coils, and wanted to know what length 7100's I should get for the front(12" or 14"). I was thinking about mounting them on a set of F250 Shock towers or WH Extreme Front Shock hoops.

Thanks in advance,

Scott.

 

[HotWheels]

If you can get it over to a 4wheel parts wholesalers RTI ramp (or other 4wd place) you can get a better idea as to what to use for your particular setup. I'm using some old shox to get me there in hope of getting the right shox the first time. Darn things are expensive.

 

[sdever98]

There has to be some other people on this list running Bilsteins 7100's...

 

[lars]

You can get away with 10" unless you have a wristed arm or extended arms. Then 12" will work. Do a search on Bilstein. Lots of threads on this in the last couple of years.

 

[broncnut]

You can get away with 10" unless you have a wristed arm or extended arms. Then 12" will work. Do a search on Bilstein. Lots of threads on this in the last couple of years.

I'm running BC 5.5 coils and F250 mounts extended thru the inner fender just a tad and am planning on running the 14 short bodies..I have the 12 ranchos now but will fit the 14 short bodies and should be fine. I also will be running a WAH

 

[lars]

I'm running BC 5.5 coils and F250 mounts extended thru the inner fender just a tad and am planning on running the 14 short bodies..I have the 12 ranchos now but will fit the 14 short bodies and should be fine. I also will be running a WAH

Terry, you SoCal guys have all the trick stuff I'm running 4.5" BC coils with 12" 7100's. The tops of the shocks are right at the bottom of the inner fenderwell, that with a 1" body lift. I'm not really exercising them- just can't get enough flex with stock radius arms. Soon to change though, assuming things go according to plan. How do you plan to have the short bodies valved?

Todd Z has a really cool outboard shock mounting setup in the back now with 12" short body 7100's angled ahead of the axle. He says he's got the same articulation with this setup as he did with inboard mounts, plus better body roll control. I want to try that myself after the holidays.

 

[broncnut]

Terry, you SoCal guys have all the trick stuff I'm running 4.5" BC coils with 12" 7100's. The tops of the shocks are right at the bottom of the inner fenderwell, that with a 1" body lift. I'm not really exercising them- just can't get enough flex with stock radius arms. Soon to change though, assuming things go according to plan. How do you plan to have the short bodies valved?

Todd Z has a really cool outboard shock mounting setup in the back now with 12" short body 7100's angled ahead of the axle. He says he's got the same articulation with this setup as he did with inboard mounts, plus better body roll control. I want to try that myself after the holidays.

Hey Lars, I'll have to see some pics of Todds set up. I plan to run the 12 short bodies on the rear also. I'm running the inboard now and it is a little hairy on the road with the body roll. As far as them being valved I'm not sure. I was going to talk to the guy at raceshock.com about it to see what they say. Also there is a bunch of the so cal boys running them and I'll get some input from them.
You should plan a trip down here in June for the big bear bronco bash. Trying to get Todd to come out for it one of these times...

 

[toddz69]

Hey Lars, I'll have to see some pics of Todds set up. I plan to run the 12 short bodies on the rear also. I'm running the inboard now and it is a little hairy on the road with the body roll. As far as them being valved I'm not sure. I was going to talk to the guy at raceshock.com about it to see what they say. Also there is a bunch of the so cal boys running them and I'll get some input from them.
You should plan a trip down here in June for the big bear bronco bash. Trying to get Todd to come out for it one of these times...

Terry:

Saw your email at home this morning-I'll write and send pics tonight.

Todd Z.

 

[g-money]

4.5 coils up front with 2 inch body lift. F250 mounts touching inner fenders. I run 14 inch travel 7100's. I'm about 1/2 inch from bottoming them out when I slam the bump stops, which I actually have to raise a bit because my drive shft is hitting the bell housing. I won't get anywhere close to full extension until I go wristed or extended radius arms. I have 10 inch in the back with a inboard mount. 3.5 11 packs with spring rockers. Flexes like crazy but will never fully use the shocks with that set up.


Galen

 

[lars]

Hey Lars, I'll have to see some pics of Todds set up. I plan to run the 12 short bodies on the rear also. I'm running the inboard now and it is a little hairy on the road with the body roll. As far as them being valved I'm not sure. I was going to talk to the guy at raceshock.com about it to see what they say. Also there is a bunch of the so cal boys running them and I'll get some input from them.
You should plan a trip down here in June for the big bear bronco bash. Trying to get Todd to come out for it one of these times...

Having seen Dusty's pics from last year it probably wouldn't require too much arm twisting to get me down for Big Bear '05. I'll have a few more goodies on my Bronco by then to try out ;D

As for valving, I can share my own experience. I first had 255/70 valving (first number is rebound, second is compression) up front. That was waaaay too soft- scary, even. I changed to 360/80 which is the heaviest valving available. Much, much better. In my experience that's the only valving to have up front with a single shock application. In back I currently have 10" stroke 5100's. Bilstein doesn't show the damping numbers in the catalog I have, but I've heard through the grapevine that they are valved 255/70. That seems to work great in the back, those are the numbers I'll go with when I order the 12" short body 7100's.

You'll like Todd's setup, once you see his pics. Very, very cool!

 

[broncnut]

Terry:

Saw your email at home this morning-I'll write and send pics tonight.

Todd Z.

Thanks Todd, looking forward to it..

Terry

 

[broncnut]

Having seen Dusty's pics from last year it probably wouldn't require too much arm twisting to get me down for Big Bear '05. I'll have a few more goodies on my Bronco by then to try out ;D

As for valving, I can share my own experience. I first had 255/70 valving (first number is rebound, second is compression) up front. That was waaaay too soft- scary, even. I changed to 360/80 which is the heaviest valving available. Much, much better. In my experience that's the only valving to have up front with a single shock application. In back I currently have 10" stroke 5100's. Bilstein doesn't show the damping numbers in the catalog I have, but I've heard through the grapevine that they are valved 255/70. That seems to work great in the back, those are the numbers I'll go with when I order the 12" short body 7100's.

You'll like Todd's setup, once you see his pics. Very, very cool!

360/80 seems to be what alot of the guys are running. Looks like thats the ticket. I'll ask around on the rears and see whats out there. I too have alot of goodies to go on very soon. The garage floor is full.. ;D Just need to get off my ass and start the installs....