Wondering if anybody can recommend which set of Bilsteins for my '02 2500HD. Will have the green keys and front end cranked up, and probably the Cognito kit at some point. Should I go with the standard size, or the 2" extended just advertised on this site that actually are for a Dodge? Any help is appreciated. And any pros/cons not already mentioned here on the Cognito kit would be as well. I would probably go with a 4 or 6 inch lift kit if I didnt haul a 5th wheel, so leveling is probably my best option. Thanks again.

All the anwsers can be found in the following threads:

http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37775

http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35816

thank you for posting those two links.

I read those two links before posting, and after some research am still confused. First, will the "extended" shocks up front, which appear to be series 5125 and designed for lifted trucks according to Bilstein, work with the OEM Bilstein non-extended shock in the rear. They are a different series and I am wondering if they are compatible? I dont intend on raising the back so I wouldnt want extended back there.

Also, I see Kennedy sells the OEM replacement Bilsteins for both stock AND cranked front end height, indicating they are appropriate for both. Other vendors are selling the extended version for cranked front end, so which is most appropriate? And have we cleared up the confusion with the part numbers, does it end with T5 or H5? Both numbers seem to exist. Comments are appreciated. Thanks.

First, will the "extended" shocks up front, which appear to be series 5125 and designed for lifted trucks according to Bilstein, work with the OEM Bilstein non-extended shock in the rear. They are a different series and I am wondering if they are compatible?
5125 is the same as a 5100 shock but is "available by travel lengths for custom applications".

Also, I see Kennedy sells the OEM replacement Bilsteins for both stock AND cranked front end height, indicating they are appropriate for both. Other vendors are selling the extended version for cranked front end, so which is most appropriate?
I have never dealt with him. I would recommend the extended shocks as both the collasped and extended lengths work better.

And have we cleared up the confusion with the part numbers, does it end with T5 or H5? Both numbers seem to exist.
Under further review the correct PN is BE5-6140-T5. All posts have been edited to reflect to correct PN. You can also see the picture I attached.

Thank you Thank you for clearing that up. Appreciate it.

OK, I dont mean to beat a dead horse or be a pain in the a$#, just want to clarify before I order these things. With my front end cranked & w/green keys (rear left alone,stock height), for the front I should get Bilstein part # BE5-6140-T5 (the extended) and for the rear Bilstein part # BE5-6082-H0? These shocks are apparently compatible and work w/each other?

And for a second quick question if I may, just confirming it is preferable to run the extended shock up front vs. OEM length shock with an extended lower mount such as in the Cognito kit?

Thanks again for the help, great info on this forum. Very helpfull. Thanks to all those who know from those of us who dont!

OK, I dont mean to beat a dead horse or be a pain in the a$#, just want to clarify before I order these things. With my front end cranked & w/green keys (rear left alone,stock height), for the front I should get Bilstein part # BE5-6140-T5 (the extended) and for the rear Bilstein part # BE5-6082-H0? These shocks are apparently compatible and work w/each other?

And for a second quick question if I may, just confirming it is preferable to run the extended shock up front vs. OEM length shock with an extended lower mount such as in the Cognito kit?

Thanks again for the help, great info on this forum. Very helpfull. Thanks to all those who know from those of us who dont!

Don't sweat the "dead horse" feeling, just do a search on oil, airfilters, tires, etc.....talk about dead horses;) . Anyways, I don't know this for sure, but it would seem that the different series would be valved the same just one has more travel than the other. Seems to me in this case they would work together. My suggestion just e-mail Kennedy direct or give him a call if that's where you're thinking of getting your shocks. He's been around awhile and has probably dealt with enough scenarios to let you know if this is an issue.
JP

I am some what confused, and would like to know exactly what the part #'s of the front and rear shocks, that everyone is using, with the green keys? Bilisteins that is.

I still recommend the OE replacement yellows. I'll order the 51 series if you absolutely need them, but the OE units are valved for the application. The 51's have not been set up for our application. If you need the absolute most height, the route that I suggest is the Cognito leveling kit and the lower shock extensions.

That said, when you turn the front suspension up that high, you are pushing it to the point where the maximum scrub and bump steer occurs...

For those unfamiliar with their new trucks and wanting the front end raised, might I suggest that the FIRST thing you do before spending money on keys and lifts it try turning your OE adjusters up 7-8 turns or whatever the max is that they will go. Remember to have an alignment done whenever you alter this adjustment...

Thanks for responding. That makes sense to me. Im no shock expert by any means but it seems you want the front and rear to be designed to work together. So looks like the best set-up is the OEM Bilsteins with the extended shock mounts in front such as the Cognito or others, or to run the 51 series both front and back, vs. mixing the shocks?

The bolts on my keys are uneven because the dealer used them to even the truck side to side, so I have one cranked all the way and the other not quite. Much of an improvement but I would like just a little more height so I thought the green keys would be my next step. I hope Im not getting to close to overextending, I guess the shop can tell me when I get it aligned.

I think I would just throw a 4" lift in it if I could but I tow a 5th and I think it would be too high. By the time you buy shocks, Cognito, idler supports, green keys, you seem to approaching the cost of a lift. Anybody have a 4" lift & running 285's and tow a 5th? Without having to raise the trailer too?

The 51 series at this time are generic valved. They are reported to work well, but the OE replacements are better matched in my opinion. They can be mixed/matched so long as they are done in pairs.

Going higher will necessitate the green keys, BUT you are starting to droop the tie rods a lot and while the steering on these trucks is very forgiving, you'll definitely lose some handling/precision.

If you want to see what I mean, watch your front tires as the truck is lifted on a hoist. They come in at the bottom and toe in at the front. This is already apparent with the OE length shocks.

I'll add that the OE Bilsteins will accept a 1/2" spacer to the top rod with ease. Since the shock action is indirect, you'll see more like 3/4" or better (never measured) by doing this.

That's what's on mine.. I got 'em from John at DPS.. The fronts are longer, and silver...the rears are stock length and yellow.

I didn't f with changing the keys... Just cranked the stock stuff up and got 1.25". I guess some trucks may need keys, but you may want to just try without first. You'll save a LOT of labor and $$..

I think my total cost to get the shocks, have the shop install, crank the t bars and allignment was $475 or so, done deal.

Money well spent.

OK, so sounds like I can mix and put the extended up front and OEM replacements in the rear. What would be the PREFERRED set-up, that, or OEM's all the way around w/extended mounts up front? And would addition of that Cognito kit which is replacement a-arms and ball joints help with the loss of handling/precision at all? Thanks again.