2500HD rear shocks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tobofsb · 03-05-2021, 01:20 AM

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.

**hatzie** · 03-05-2021, 11:51 AM

Are they close or the same when compressed?

Tobofsb · 03-05-2021, 05:56 PM

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.

**hatzie** · 03-06-2021, 10:57 AM

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.

mikelom · 05-06-2021, 12:15 AM

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.

03-05-2021, 01:20 AM	#1
Tobofsb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 2	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.

03-05-2021, 05:56 PM	#3
Tobofsb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 2	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.

03-06-2021, 10:57 AM	#4
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	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. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

05-06-2021, 12:15 AM	#5
mikelom Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: GA Posts: 104	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.

03-05-2021, 11:51 AM	#2
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: 2500HD rear shocks Are they close or the same when compressed? __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.



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