Has anybody run Bilstein 5100 series front shocks part# F4-BE5-D146-HO, with the torsions turned up? I talked to Bilstein today and they make this shock specifically for 8 lug GM trucks with up to 2.5 front lift. I know NorCal and Cognito make them as well, but I am asking if anybody has run these part numbers specifically? Thanks.

See this is where you confused yourself in the PM's to me. You asked for a shock to fit the Cognito leveling kit and now you are asking for a shock to fit keys. Yes those fit the keys 100%. Or maybe I was under the impression you wanted a shock that would work for the Cognito leveling kit per the subject title?

Has anybody run Bilstein 5100 series front shocks part# F4-BE5-D146-HO, with the torsions turned up? I talked to Bilstein today and they make this shock specifically for 8 lug GM trucks with up to 2.5 front lift. I know NorCal and Cognito make them as well, but I am asking if anybody has run these part numbers specifically? Thanks.

Yes, I did run those shocks with a leveling kit or t-bars turned up. I used them with shock extensions because they were the same length as the OEM shocks.
I've since switched to a longer Bilstein shock, that Nick from Norcal recomends with the Cognito leveling kit. Eliminating the shock extenders...

IMO they were to short to use with the t-bars cranked..

Black, Hows tha ride, got some 2.5 lift bilsteins but I'm still gonna run my shock extenders

Yes, I did run those shocks with a leveling kit or t-bars turned up. I used them with shock extensions because they were the same length as the OEM shocks.
I've since switched to a longer Bilstein shock, that Nick from Norcal recomends with the Cognito leveling kit. Eliminating the shock extenders...

IMO they were to short to use with the t-bars cranked..
x2, After Talking to Nick i found out my shocks were too short also.:(

Truck rides Fricken terrible with these part # shocks and green keys.

Im pissed i paid 350 $ for keys and shocks and they werent right.

Oh well, the new lift will cure all this....:)

to the O.P. ,

Nick knows his shocks, listen to what he reccomends.

Black, Hows tha ride, got some 2.5 lift bilsteins but I'm still gonna run my shock extenders

Truck rides good!:cool:

Yes, use the extenders with those shocks, ride will be bad if you don't!

Sorry for the confusion nick. My cognito kit is the cheap economy one with only keys and shock spacers. I still have stick UCR's. All I want to do is take off those stupid shock extensions and run a set of longer Bilsteins on the front to work good with the keys and extra 2" of lift. So what do you think? Will the BE5-D146-HO Bilsteins work good for my front, or should I buy your custom front shocks? Thanks for being honest and helpful.

If you have stock UCA's you do not need much longer of a shock at all. The 5100's will be fine or the HD yellows with a spacer. You could probably eeek out a little more travel potential with a short spacer under the lower mount, but if you are running this high, the steering geometry is al over the place and you should really look at the UCA kit.

If you have stock UCA's you do not need much longer of a shock at all. The 5100's will be fine or the HD yellows with a spacer. You could probably eeek out a little more travel potential with a short spacer under the lower mount, but if you are running this high, the steering geometry is al over the place and you should really look at the UCA kit.
I strongly disagree, The front shocks will be too short, ride is terrible, Not only my truck but my friends 04.5 LLY wth green keys same shocks rides extremely terrible also.

The front shocks were a PITA to get on also due to bieng too short.

TimZ......are you sure you installed part # BE5-D146-HO? That is a shock that Bilstein built just for lifted 8 lug GM trucks. If it was designed to accomidate an extra 2.5" of front lift, why would it be to short or need a shock spacer?

TimZ......are you sure you installed part # BE5-D146-HO? That is a shock that Bilstein built just for lifted 8 lug GM trucks. If it was designed to accomidate an extra 2.5" of front lift, why would it be to short or need a shock spacer?

Side by side, the D146-HO was the same extended length as the stock shock that I removed....

I didn't see any way they would work with a "cranked' "leveled" suspension without the shock extenders.

I switched to a BE5-6140-T5. I have a Cognito kit, thats the shock that Nick recommended.

Sorry for the confusion nick. My cognito kit is the cheap economy one with only keys and shock spacers. I still have stick UCR's. All I want to do is take off those stupid shock extensions and run a set of longer Bilsteins on the front to work good with the keys and extra 2" of lift. So what do you think? Will the BE5-D146-HO Bilsteins work good for my front, or should I buy your custom front shocks? Thanks for being honest and helpful.

Yes you could use the D146. You can also use our NCT 0-3" so later you can add the UCA if you chose and your not going to need a spacer or any other mod to make them work.


TimZ......are you sure you installed part # BE5-D146-HO? That is a shock that Bilstein built just for lifted 8 lug GM trucks. If it was designed to accomidate an extra 2.5" of front lift, why would it be to short or need a shock spacer?

Yes he is right, the D146's are still alittle short but can work and that is why I call them the 0-1.5" shock. Just alittle level, not maxed @ full 2.5" in my book.

Also to add you have to understand how shock valving works for your favor for a better ride. The Yellow (HD) style Bilsteins are about 1/2" shorter the OE factory shocks and factory shocks are about 3/8" short of the GM's full travel. So you are reducing travel on what the shock allows not allow reducing travel from ride height so you are doubling the reduced movement and ride. Even if you add a spacer the Yellow (HD) Bilstein is named (HD) for the reason it has added compression valving witch will make your truck fill like it's "Packing" when it is compressing over a bump. The rebound is loose and I feel over all the compression/rebound valving is not the premium to make these trucks ride nice.

A D146 has a better valving so I would always start there for a purchase. As for our NCT 0-3" the valving is a happy middle for a mild cranked truck on up to a full Cognito UCA package.

This is what a catalog when looking up part numbers can't tell you:).

Side by side, the D146-HO was the same extended length as the stock shock that I removed....

I didn't see any way they would work with a "cranked' "leveled" suspension without the shock extenders.

I switched to a BE5-6140-T5. I have a Cognito kit, thats the shock that Nick recommended.


Please understand we change the mounting on that 6140 to work on a GM so not any 6140 works.