Credit to
@Purple MF review of Fox 2.0 shocks, I used their format.
I bought my AT4 about 2 months ago and have amassed 1900 miles. My other vehicle is a 2021 Escalade ESV Sport, Magneride/air suspension. When I bought the AT4 I traded my 2022 HTC Z51Corvette loaded with Magneride (got a dog). I drive to the limit!
Driving the AT4 I already loved the 6.2 engine, and the handling was decent but not for me. So, I began my research. I watched every YouTube video and read every review I could, and they all kept coming back to Bilstein, Fox or Icon. I especially paid attention to Shock Surplus videos. The guys there were using all the brands on their own trucks.
Their take on the Bilstein's was you get a firmer ride with better agility, cornering, and road feedback without much comfort loss. I will never see any real off roading. My driving is made up of 90% street and highway, potholes, torn up roads, curb action etc.
So based on Shock Surplus Bilstein 5100's would be a good choice. Obviously, money is involved, and I did not want to spend it twice. Most reviewers felt the 5100's were an upgrade like many of the other next step shock recommendations were. But nobody raved about the lowest level upgrades from any shock.
So for that reason, I decided to spend the money once and go for the 5160's rear (installed myself) and the 6112's preassembled (dealer installed). Kit including tax $1600., dealer install and alignment $425. so, $2025. total.
I installed the Bilstein 5160 shocks in the rear about two weeks ago. I waited to get my front 6112's installed to give my full review. The 5160's in the rear made an immediate difference. The rear tires were no longer dancing over train tracks through a corner I take daily, and the rear felt more planted. I KNEW the truck felt better and could not wait for the fronts to be installed.
With the Fronts installed, what a difference! I am not off roading, this is high speed driving on country roads with dips, soft shoulders, hair pin turns along with typical highway and city street conditions.
The trucks handling is amazing (compared to stock and in general). Body roll and dipping into corners is almost nonexistent. At high speed over peaks and valleys where you could get air you can feel the shocks pulling the bed down and eliminating any bounce.
The daily train tracks have the slightest chatter but no more lane changes! I am just throwing the truck around having fun. The sound of the Borla ATAK muffler just eggs you on.
Sorry, this is not an "off-road" review but wow the truck feels amazing.
I don't BS people. I knew if I were spending top dollar, off road the Bilstein's would be an improvement.
My worry was would they help on the street, they did!
My expectations were met or exceeded by the Bilstein shocks:
CORNERING - Amazing
HARD BRAKING - No issues tracks straight with minimal dip
HANDLING - Boat to Sports car
BIG POT HOLES - Avoid
SPEED BUMPS - 100% Improvement no chatter or bed bounce/rebound
HIGHWAY BUMPS 70MPH - 100% Just soaks them up
So overall they are a Huge difference/upgrade and what I was hoping I would get for the money.
I have no idea how the 5100's would have performed and I would have saved $1000.
No second guessing here the $1000. was worth every penny.
I had some buyer's remorse not buying an AT4X.
Not anymore, don't need front lockers or additional skid plates.
And appearance wise for me there is no contest, the AT4 front and rear bumpers look sooo much better.
Now if they could fix my instrument cluster, 9 DAYS! Clueless.
www.summitracing.com
please us posted after you get a little more mileage in on varied conditions!
