Rubicon/ Willys shock vs Bilstein 5100

[wazzabie]

How does the stock OEM JL shock compare to the Bilstein 5100?

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[AdamG]

Can’t help with the comparison cuz I went from stock Sport shocks but I like them a lot. Firm, not harsh, with good body and wheel control on and off road.

 

[gdeyarmond]

We did this swap on our stock 2024 Willys 4-Door, V6, 6MT, Hard Top

There is a big difference in terms of ride stiffness. The 5100s are noticeably stiffer and will give you more feedback on the road (you will feel expansion joints etc more). As far as offroad, the stock shocks blow through dampening too fast IMO and are valved for "slower" crawling, ruts, and comfort. We found that the Jeep would be hitting the bump stops after a fairly short period of time offroad with the stock shocks. Once we switched to the 5100's it was a big difference because of the valving.

5100s are probably "less" comfortable on the road than the OEM red shocks, but they are better in more aspects than not.

If you plan on wheeling your Jeep, I would just think about the type of wheeling you will do - Slow? Fire roads at speed? The desert and BLM land? The 5100's do better in probably all categories, but really make a difference as things speed up.

 

[Jtphoto]

Not a fan of Bilstein 5100 or Fox shocks. Too stiff, I prefer Rancho 9000 or Metal Cloak RockSports.

 

[Mocopo]

We did this swap on our stock 2024 Willys 4-Door, V6, 6MT, Hard Top

There is a big difference in terms of ride stiffness. The 5100s are noticeably stiffer and will give you more feedback on the road (you will feel expansion joints etc more). As far as offroad, the stock shocks blow through dampening too fast IMO and are valved for "slower" crawling, ruts, and comfort. We found that the Jeep would be hitting the bump stops after a fairly short period of time offroad with the stock shocks. Once we switched to the 5100's it was a big difference because of the valving.

5100s are probably "less" comfortable on the road than the OEM red shocks, but they are better in more aspects than not.

If you plan on wheeling your Jeep, I would just think about the type of wheeling you will do - Slow? Fire roads at speed? The desert and BLM land? The 5100's do better in probably all categories, but really make a difference as things speed up.

This is a great synopsis. I'm currently running Fox 2.0, but having had 5100s on multiple other vehicles, one my old JK, they definitely ride stiffer than stock, but noticeable increase in off road comfort.

 

[jeepingib]

Shock preference is a very subjective thing. Some people really like a stiff shock that provides a lot of feedback and some prefer a shock that is less harsh and can mellow out the ride. The factory red shocks are more mellow than the 5100s.

 

[Deleted member 107602]

I changed springs and shocks at the same time so I can’t say directly but I do like really like the AEV Bilstein 5100 shock and spring combo. It is more planted but doesn’t really feel too firm, less bounce but not rough

 

[TNriver]

I have a 2024 2dr Willys 6MT. I changed the factory shocks within the first 2000 miles. I felt they were way too soft even with the vehicle empty. It was really noticeable with a manual transmission. When engaging the clutch changing gears the front end would drop and then rise back up under normal throttle input. After I installed aftermarket bumpers it got worse. This is why I ordered the 5100 Bilsteins. I love how the jeep drives on and off-road now.

 

[THAW]

Bilstein 5100s have digressive valving, meaning they get softer the faster they're compressed. It makes them good for road cornering/braking while still being compliant offraod. I dig mine (AEV version).

 

[jbtrails]

I’ve had the Bilstein 5100s on my XR for over 10k miles and they are the best $450 I have ever spent. They are comfortable like the OEM red ones but better. I do not have any stiff or harshness that I keep reading about. I have hit many of the trails in Colorado twice, the first time with the red OEMs. The second time with the Bilsteins the ride getting there and on the trails is more comfortable. After the first trip to Colorado, all 4 red OEM shocks were leaking oil and actually sticking. I took a chance on the 5100s and I have no desire to change them for anything else.

 

[Kracka]

Another actual owner here... Bilstein 5100s on our 2023 Rubicon and they're a far superior shock to the factory red Rubicon shocks (of which 3 of 4 needed warranty replacement at 15k miles). We swapped the shocks out at 20k miles. The Jeep has been used for everything from commuting, roadtrips, off-road BOH trails, etc. Definitely rides nicer; under no circumstance would I call them stiff or harsh. This is my wife's daily driver so I'd hear about it if otherwise! My guess is those complaints are coming from people that don't properly match their springs/shocks (or read something on the internet and regurgitate it 100x over).

 

[PunksJL]

I’ve had the Bilstein 5100s on my XR for over 10k miles and they are the best $450 I have ever spent. They are comfortable like the OEM red ones but better. I do not have any stiff or harshness that I keep reading about. I have hit many of the trails in Colorado twice, the first time with the red OEMs. The second time with the Bilsteins the ride getting there and on the trails is more comfortable. After the first trip to Colorado, all 4 red OEM shocks were leaking oil and actually sticking. I took a chance on the 5100s and I have no desire to change them for anything else.

Hi John. Is your suspension otherwise stock? Do you have the Bilstein part number for the shocks you purchased? Bilstein has a good online product selector allowing you to drill down to the engine and submodel (Rubicon X) but they still have different models based on lift height. I'm assuming that since my Rubicon X is stock it would be the models that are 0"-1.5"?

 

[txj2go]

I've read a lot about Bilsteins being stiffer. I put them on my Sport in place of the Rubicon shocks with 50k miles and I didn't notice them being stiffer. Maybe they are stiffer but they aren't a whole lot stiffer. I do trails in Utah and Colorado and I do a lot of highway miles to get there. I don't know how much stiffness is needed for trails but for pavement driving I would like more stiffness than the Bilsteins. For trails and for driving around town I have no complaints.

 

[Jtphoto]

My 5100 were unbearably harsh on road and back highways. Expansion joints and frost heaves were ridiculous.. I got rid of them after 20,000klm.

 

[jadmt]

I changed springs and shocks at the same time so I can’t say directly but I do like really like the AEV Bilstein 5100 shock and spring combo. It is more planted but doesn’t really feel too firm, less bounce but not rough

Ditto

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