Mechanic’s Review: Bilstein B8 5100 Series Shock Absorbers | 1999 Dodge Ram 1500
Written by
Product Reviewer at CarParts.com
Updated on September 3rd, 2024
Key Information
- Product: Bilstein Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side B8 5100 Series Shock Absorbers 4WD – Set of 4
- Price: From $440 (Note that price may change from the time the review is published.)
- Vehicle: 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie 8 Cyl 5.9L; 2nd Generation (1994–2002)
- Reviewer: Erik Hasenei, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
Why You May Need Bilstein Shock Absorbers
I have needed shocks for a long time and I finally decided to get it done. These were installed on a ‘99 Dodge Ram 4X4 extra cab long bed truck. The shocks were leaking and, when removed, they were easy to compress with one hand and didn’t extend on their own like they’re supposed to.
Product Review
Bilstein B8 5100 Series Shock Absorbers
These Shock Absorbers from Bilstein, a company known for their quality, were a breeze to install, requiring no modifications or special tools, and delivered impressive performance on the hand push-down test, as well as the test drive, and they’re available at a competitive price.
Why You Should Trust This Review
Initial Observations
Shocks looked great and new in the box that wasn’t damaged. They had plenty of wrapping to keep them nice. I really like the look of the shocks themselves and the brand has a good reputation that’s why I picked them.
The Fit
The fit was perfect like I would expect from Bilstein. They didn’t need to be modified and I didn’t have to do anything to the truck to install them.
Installation
The Bilstein shocks were relatively easy to install on this ‘99 Dodge Ram. I had to remove the spare tire to be able to get to the upper bolt on the left rear shock. It didn’t take that long; less than an hour, especially with some electric tools.
For the right upper bolt, I couldn’t really fit electric tools on that side so I used hand tools; nothing special, just a couple of sockets and wrenches, but they were 21mm. You have to have sockets and wrenches that are a little bigger in your set.
A do-it-yourself person that is mechanically inclined and can remove and install a part shouldn’t have any problem with these shocks.
Performance and Overall Quality
I checked the shocks by pushing them down with my hand and making sure they extended back by themselves. They did that no problem and fairly quickly. Test drive was great; felt better than it ever had. Performance is what I expect from a good name company.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Quality product with a good name to back it.
- Install didn’t take very long and didn’t need special tools to change them. Someone wouldn’t need much skill level to do it.
- Competitive pricing.
Cons
- None
The Verdict
Definitely recommend these Bilstein B8 5100 Series shocks to somebody looking for a quality product and who wants to improve the performance of their vehicle’s ride. I rate them as a 10. They are great shocks that look good, fit great, and perform awesome.
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