Looking for Bilstein 6100 ride quality comments

[Moe-Jave]

Went from sas 2.0 yellows to 6112s and it handles so much better and no nose dive. They do ride a little stiff and sporty. I would like something maybe a little more plush on the day to day. Waiting to see reviews on the Eibach 2.5s in 2026 before ai make any moves. 8112s look amazing but them locked into 35s max if I ever want to go bigger and not sure I would actually want to be turning knobs and adjusting them when needed. 6112s for the money, improved ride and longevity are tough to beat....maybe Eibach 2.5s???

Right. It is my understanding that the yellow ESCVs are the same for any Badlands or Sasquatch except for springs (length/rate). I meant to mention that I saw the folks at Shock Surplus say that they purposely tested at lower ride height and found the 5100s under-performed at higher speeds (and dove excessively). That felt like the admission of a mistake (or at least something they’d want to test at higher lift settings). They described the 5100s as plush and their test mule was a 2D Bronco as well. In the “lower” configuration they felt it was a mismatch for the factory springs. I have my 5100s at the third from the top circlip position (shaft side). At this setting, they outperform the factory shocks everywhere without being harsh. I’d agree they are “softer” but maybe not quite as “plush“ as I’d personally want.

Your comments seem inline with others on the 6100s and the consensus is that they are “stiffer”. That makes sense to me given their valving and target application. I imagine high-speed performance is clearly better than the 5100s.

I really like how durable/reliable, and long-lived the Bilstein 5100s seem to be by reputation. This seems to be a consensus across different truck platforms too. One thing that stood out to me is the rod-to-body ratio. The 5100s have much thicker shafts than the ESCVs. The guys at Shock Surplus briefly mentioned that ratio affects ride quality.

The only thing that felt weird to me was the collar system with the spring clip (“circlips”). That seemed odd but on closer examination of the factory shock bodies, it is quite similar (though stock units are not ride height adjustable).

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[crenca]

Bilstein 6100s have digressive damping curves, ie, higher slope of force vs shock velocity curve at low velocities. You know if it is heads or tails when you drive over a dime. You want shocks that are either progressive or linear.

^this^. @natureguyusa , given your priority of a linear or progressive ride on road, any Bilstein is just going to be a compromise at best

What you really want are Foxes, Kings, or similar...

 

[Tonka Bronka]

I have 2025 Bronco Badlands, non-Sasquatch. I do not like the stiff, on-road, lack of comfort of the Bilstein ESCV shocks over small bumps, cracks in the road, and jostling you back and forth over road irregularities. I have no complaints about speed bumps or larger bumps off-road. It is just the annoying wagon-like feel on relatively smooth roads. Sometimes, a little raised bump that would be unnoticeable in most vehicles feels like someone punched me in the gut. With a static suspension droop of 4.5/6.5 inches (front/rear), the ride quality should be very plush. While the ESCVs are harsh on the road, I still feel more body roll than I would prefer.

I am considering Bilstein 6100s, but I have read lots of polar opposite reviews/comments about them. Bilstein told me that the 6100s would be much more compliant over small road bumps than the stock ESCVs. I have heard some people say they ride "much better" on the road (some people like riding in wagons), while others say they ride stiffer than the ESCVs. I really want to hear exactly how the 6100s ride on the road, over small cracks and bumps, compared to Badlands or Sasquatch ESCVs, and how they compare off-road. I have heard consistent, positive comments using the 6100s on off-road whoops and faster, forest road travel. I don't want to hear that the stock ESCVs ride great and that is what you get from an SUV or truck, or that I have the air in the tires too high. I know what an overly damped shock feels like.

I want to replace the stuts once, so I am not looking at anything from Fox or Icon that will need replacement in a couple of years. I really, really only want to do this once and not have to pull them off because they are not what I was expecting. I am looking at mostly the Bilstein line because they last a long time. I also considered the Eibach 2.0 series, but I feel they are too squishy, have a lot of body roll, and have a lack of larger bump control. Same with the Bilstein 5100 series, but those have worked well on my F150. If I can't get a detailed idea of what the 6100s are like, I feel I have to go for the much more expensive 8100s because they are at least adjustable. I suspect the 8100s are not as reliable over the long run due to hoses going to external reservoirs and the more complicated internal bump stop. I am not looking at gaining lift. 1-1.5 inch is more than enough for me. I am running 34-inch tires are will probably never go higher.

I would like to thank everyone who responds with comments.

I installed the 6100's on my 21 four door non sas Badlands when the stock shocks fell apart. I find the ride firm but not jarring. It will also depend a bit on the preload that you choose by moving the C clip on the shock body. I don't think you can beat them for the money. I'm glad I bought them.

 

[Moe-Jave]

^this^. @natureguyusa , given your priority of a linear or progressive ride on road, any Bilstein is just going to be a compromise at best

What you really want are Foxes, Kings, or similar...

I agree that Fox and especially King shocks can ride very plush. The best ride I’ve ever had was my coilover setup using King by-pass shocks (with over a foot of travel). Having low and high speed independent adjustments for both rebound and compression may be the only way to be truly happy. The Fox Live Valve setup available in the aftermarket might be worth a look too, depending on your budget.

OP says he doesn’t want to mess with the rebuild cycle associated with those. *I re-read the post and it isn’t clear if OP means taking off shocks because it does not meet ride quality expectations or rebuilds. On the JT forum, some have rebuilt their Fox 2.5s in as little as 20K (guessing hard use). My buddy with the Raptor has very easy miles and still on original shocks at 100K!

I worry about that even with OEM Fox setup on the Mojave. Depends how you use them. 40K, 60K, 100K? It is inevitable.

 

[87-Z28]

I am running 6100s right now. I like them. The OP will not. They are digressive. I doubt anyone has ever said, “Wow these are plush”, about strongly digressive shocks. You can feel every nuance in the road.

 

[RoseLane4]

Great Thanksgiving to all

To NatureGuy, the 6112 IMO - yes, I prefer a divergent / responsive feel, I want feedback on what the road, ground, squirrel, rock, sand.. is doing.

The fact tire pressures has little impact on your perceived ride quality blows my mind. (Not good or bad.) I’m sensitive to it and the psi change I run is “life altering” difference lols.

..and to Valhalla, depending on what we drive, psi matters! I run higher psi in the rear (on 4WD vehicles) because at speed (drag) the mass shifts reward & psychologically I think I get better MPH and I hate over inflated tires (on front end).

NatureGuy, Your question Absorb vs float?
6112’s soak-up the chatter, holes, cracks &/or harsh impacts.. I live outside Philadelphia, beat infrastructure, picture buckling asphalt, 50mph at 90degree to travel.. any solid axle will hop! Stock setup was awful & I’m amazed at how flat, in-control & planted the ride quality is now. Sophisticated. I’m impressed.
This setup “absorbs” and the resulting better control feels like you’re floating. Sincerely.

My 2dr Black Diamond with Hitachi’s had a beautiful, smooth ride but the “nose-dive” was unwanted. The stock BL setup had less nose-dive, better feedback, but was lacking something? And the recall highlighted a compromise Ford made when designing.

There are many great products out there! I never had the choice we all have now. It comes down to what you like, purpose/intensions..

 

[23OBX2.7]

Great Thanksgiving to all

To NatureGuy, the 6112 IMO - yes, I prefer a divergent / responsive feel, I want feedback on what the road, ground, squirrel, rock, sand.. is doing.

The fact tire pressures has little impact on your perceived ride quality blows my mind. (Not good or bad.) I’m sensitive to it and the psi change I run is “life altering” difference lols.

..and to Valhalla, depending on what we drive, psi matters! I run higher psi in the rear (on 4WD vehicles) because at speed (drag) the mass shifts reward & psychologically I think I get better MPH and I hate over inflated tires (on front end).

NatureGuy, Your question Absorb vs float?
6112’s soak-up the chatter, holes, cracks &/or harsh impacts.. I live outside Philadelphia, beat infrastructure, picture buckling asphalt, 50mph at 90degree to travel.. any solid axle will hop! Stock setup was awful & I’m amazed at how flat, in-control & planted the ride quality is now. Sophisticated. I’m impressed.
This setup “absorbs” and the resulting better control feels like you’re floating. Sincerely.

My 2dr Black Diamond with Hitachi’s had a beautiful, smooth ride but the “nose-dive” was unwanted. The stock BL setup had less nose-dive, better feedback, but was lacking something? And the recall highlighted a compromise Ford made when designing.

There are many great products out there! I never had the choice we all have now. It comes down to what you like, purpose/intensions..

Perfect description of different real work dynamics....I noticed huge difference on OBX 18s with Hoss2 take offs glad I didn't blow the money on Fox 2.5 yet.

 

[RoseLane4]

…typos!
I prefer a digressive dampener not divergent

Per what Z28 said, Yes a digressive design will provide feedback, and the 6100’s will but there’s no chatter into steering or seat, obstacles are “dealt with” and not at the expense of comfort.

What Crenca writes makes sense!
And Moe-Jave’s experience seems to describe exactly what NatureGuy is looking for, the 5100’s !

6100’s cir-clip design doesn’t offer the ease of adjustment the others do! My 2-door is set at 6 rear / 4 front, perfect for 37’s (I gained a little over 2”). But if you’re staying with 35’s, 5 (r) / 3 (f) seems ideal with modest lift over stock.

Hope this helps.

 

[natureguyusa]

Thank you for the detailed answers that really helped me. To summarize: It sounds like either the Bilstein 6100s or 5100s will improve the Bronco ESCV shocks' jarring road manners. That is really what I was trying to figure out. Yes, they are digressive, but their characteristics can vary dramatically depending on the specific valving of the shock. How they directly compare to the very poor Ford-designed shocks is what I was looking for. The 5100s, from the descriptions, appear to offer a more plush ride than the 6100s. The 6100s have less body roll and brake dive, and should have better large bump control. There was one review, by Shock Surplus, that compared the 5100s and 6110s on a Toyota Tundra, where they said the 6110s had a more plush ride on the road. So, now I am on the fence between 5100s and 6100s. I am going to try to contact Bilstein again to see if I can get some actual compression/rebound values (if they will tell me) between the two and get their comments on road manners between the 5100s and 6100s that are valved for Bronco applications. I might not like the amount of body roll and brake dive of the 5100s

 

[87-Z28]

Bilstein 5100s and 6100s will behave the same. They are NOT more plush than OEM. They are NOT plush. You will feel every bump. No matter how small the bump. They have digressive damping curves. If you want more plush than oem you will be disappointed.

 

[natureguyusa]

Bilstein 5100s and 6100s will behave the same. They are NOT more plush than OEM. They are NOT plush. You will feel every bump. No matter how small the bump. They have digressive damping curves. If you want more plush than oem you will be disappointed.

The stock ESCVs are jarring, on small road imperfections, to the point of being one of the worst shocks I have ever used. I have 5100 Bilsteins on other vehicles, an old Jeep CJ and an F150. They ride really well... no complaints. I am talking "plush" in terms of comparison between to specific shocks, not comparing a stock Chevy truck or Cadillac sedan to a digressive 5100 or 6100 shock.

 

[23OBX2.7]

The stock ESCVs are jarring, on small road imperfections, to the point of being one of the worst shocks I have ever used. I have 5100 Bilsteins on other vehicles, an old Jeep CJ and an F150. They ride really well... no complaints. I am talking "plush" in terms of comparison between to specific shocks, not comparing a stock Chevy truck or Cadillac sedan to a digressive 5100 or 6100 shock.

Lower speed they will be more firm with no reverb bounciness and after 25 much smoother. I love the Hoss2 on OBX18s and current Blizzak DMV2....it's like my HPP Mustang with median hopping long travel suspension....to a point

 

[BadlandsJ]

I have a non-sas Badlands with the 6100s and stock springs. I have the clips on setting #2 in front and #1 in rear. The Bronco sits level, around Sasquatch height. I had the same issue with jarring over the smallest bumps; I really hated the ride on the stock shocks. The ride is much smoother with the 6100s. I don't get any of the squeaks, rattles, and jarring/shaky ride like I did before. There is only one very specific scenario in which I don't like their feel. When on the highway at high speed, there can be what feels like a lot of tire movement. For instance, going over a change in pavement height or pothole WHILE also going around a curve at highway speeds, it feels very active. I think the factory shocks felt more controlled in this specific case. I will say that I have been on dirt roads at high speeds (not as high as highway speeds though) and it feels great.

Of course things can feel different depending on clip location and wheel/tire setup. FWIW, I have RTR wheels (22 lbs), with 285/75r17 Ridge Grapplers (65lbs). I run 36-37 psi on road.

I also have never owned Fox, King, or Eibach (so I can't compare), but yeah, it will definitely get rid of that jarring feel on road, they feel great.

 

[Altitude]

I have a non-sas Badlands with the 6100s and stock springs. I have the clips on setting #2 in front and #1 in rear. The Bronco sits level, around Sasquatch height.

Thats what I have and what I am looking to do. Do you have some pics to show along with what tire size you are using? TIA

 

[BadlandsJ]

Thats what I have and what I am looking to do. Do you have some pics to show along with what tire size you are using? TIA

Here's the only photo I can find. I can take more later from different angles. Tire size is 285/75r17. Eventually I'd like to go with 35x11.5 or 35x12.5, just because that rear tire well is huge, but I get compliments all the time on the "34s" though. I've parked next to Sasquatch Broncos many times and you can hardly tell the difference between these and the stock Sasquatch tires.

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