2500HD rear shocks
 

Hello first time poster here - I have an '02 2500 HD, 8.1/Allison, 180,000+ miles, mostly stock except front leveling kit & 295/70/17's on American wheels. I went to replace the rear shocks today with a pair of Bilstien 5100's I bought a couple years ago when I refurbished the front suspension & added leveling kit.
When I pulled the original Bilstein F4-BE5-6082-H0 & compared to the new one, the old shock was roughly 1.5" longer extended. I checked the 5100 part #24-186742 is correct for this truck.
The original Bilstein part number has been updated to 24-060820. This shock has basically the same extended length as the new 5100.
So, should I use the new though somewhat shorter shock or find a longer one?
Sorry for the lengthy post, hope it makes sense.

Re: 2500HD rear shocks
 

Are they close or the same when compressed?

Re: 2500HD rear shocks
 

Unfortunately I didn't measure that before I reinstalled. I did measure the shock body on both as best as I could & they seemed essentially the same at just under 14".
I randomly looked at Gabriel shocks & those are about 3/4" longer fully extended than the Bilstein for the 2500HD, for what thats worth.

Re: 2500HD rear shocks
 

I think I'd worry more about bottoming the shock pistons from having "too long" shocks.
You'd need to be airborne or on a lift to get the shocks to full extension. You don't drive on a lift and I hope you don't go sailing through the air like the Dukes of Hazard.

I think that new ones being 1-1/2" shorter means they will not bottom as easily as the old shocks.
Maybe someone else will chime in with other thoughts but that's my $0.02.

Re: 2500HD rear shocks
 

I ended up getting the Bilstein shocks 5100 because my rig is leveled. The yellow Bilstein HD's are shorter and designed for bone stock trucks.