Bilstein 6100 shocks installed on Badlands Sasquatch - feedback review & photos

[BillyGoat]

Just got my Bilstein 6100 shocks installed on my Badlands Sasquatch. I used the highest circlip location and love the outcome!

Install was not bad, probably 6 hours total. I recommend to do the fronts first since they are a bit harder. The rears are a piece of cake.

Since the springs are more compressed at their natural position, I was expecting the ride to be more bumpy. But it actually rides better. Maybe is because I have the extra weight of the bumper and winch in the front, so things balance out at the end.

The 6100's appear to be the exact same length as the stock Sasquatch shocks. So that makes me feel happy that I am not taking the other suspension components out of their design envelope. I was worried about overstressing my CV joints with the spacer kits and that is the main reason I decided to go with this instead.

My next planned upgrade will be a 1" to 1.5" body lift to fit 37's.

From the options out there, I think the 6100's plus a small body lift is the best combination to fit 37's, with better performance over stock and without breaking the bank.

I plan to do a write up about the installation once I have time to sit down and sort through the pictures I took.

Could you do me a favor and simply provide a link to buy these?

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[Snacktime]

From driving it a bit more now, I think the best way to explain it is that you feel a bit more the smaller bumps (stiffer ride) but it soaks up better the big bumps.
From my comparison, the maximum extension is the same, so it will not give you more total articulation.
But since you are riding at a higher position of the strut in the highest perch, it has more travel before it hits the bump stop. So driving on the road, I think you do get a bit more usable travel in the highest perch, compared to stock.

The issue is not having enough droop and tires losing traction and then regaining traction "skating" feel. You get any? I have been plugging around with excel on how much droop you get with the extra lift. I think that is why Bilstein has limited the lift to the 2" area.

 

[VIRUS]

I have about 1500 miles on the 6100's. It seems like the ride has softened quite a a bit since they were first put on. Tires are at 33psi cold. When I got the wheels and tires, shop had them at 43. Was not pleasant at 43. At 33, very smooth

 

[JB1901]

Dating myself here, but remember the days when to put 33's on something was considered too much!!!

Not everyone has Suzuki Samurais

 

[wkaotp]

Which vendors are you folks buying your 6100s from? I found ShockSurplus with a set for $1,089, but I don't know anything about them:

https://www.shocksurplus.com/products/bilstein-6100-60mm-0-2-6-set-2021-2022-ford-bronco-4dr

Thanks.

I got mine through Shock Surplus, they were quick to deliver too.

 

[LeBronco]

will these fit 37s without any other parts?

 

[SnowBronco]

I am getting around 39.5" in the front and 40.5" in the back. So still a small rake, with the front about 1" lower than the rear.

Finally got mine in and installed. Measured today cause I was curious. Mine are coming in at 40.25" front. 41.125"rear from ground to flare. Center of axle. Maybe it's the tires... I have toyo's. 35x12.5x17. Only driven home so far... They feel fine!

 

[mpeugeot]

I am getting around 39.5" in the front and 40.5" in the back. So still a small rake, with the front about 1" lower than the rear.

I am really surprised, because I put non-sasquatch Badlands shocks and springs on my OBX and ended up not far off these measurements. Clearance under the front of the vehicle is right at 12" at the skid plate and the clearance under the rear diff is a shade over 10". The center of the wheel arch ended up at 39" and the rear wheel arch ended up at 39.25" (a very slight rake). Pretty sure that I could get 35" tires under it now (current tires are 33.5" - 295/70R17) after pulling the crash bars.

With 35" tires and the 6100's you only ended up 1/2" higher?!? Maybe the sasquatch fender has more overhang.

 

[armand0609]

I am really surprised, because I put non-sasquatch Badlands shocks and springs on my OBX and ended up not far off these measurements. Clearance under the front of the vehicle is right at 12" at the skid plate and the clearance under the rear diff is a shade over 10". The center of the wheel arch ended up at 39" and the rear wheel arch ended up at 39.25" (a very slight rake). Pretty sure that I could get 35" tires under it now (current tires are 33.5" - 295/70R17) after pulling the crash bars.

With 35" tires and the 6100's you only ended up 1/2" higher?!? Maybe the sasquatch fender has more overhang.

I also have an aftermarket bumper and a winch. So the front is a lot heavier.

 

[Sruiz]

will these fit 37s without any other parts?

2nd this. Wanting to know if this lift is possible to fit 37s with no/little trimming.

 

[Mahin2021]

There are conditions that one may encounter where a larger diameter tire is beneficial. 37's for what I do are much better than 35's. Not the case for everyone.
Some people are using the wrong lift to run 37's.
These struts won't give you crazy angles but you still need to be aware that there's more weight out there and much more stress in certain situations. No problem if you know what you can and cannot do. Unfortunately some people find the limit when shit breaks.

What do you do that 37’s are better?

 

[VIRUS]

What do you do that 37’s are better?

Deep snow and mud in Northern Wisconsin. On land that only has logging trails.
Deer, turkey, bear, wolf, coyote, squirrel and snipe hunting.
Camping, fishing and just having fun. Drinking beer with friends and having fun.
Sadly, not enough people understand

Edit: 35's are good for most but 37's and bigger are quite helpful

 

[Mahin2021]

Deep snow and mud in Northern Wisconsin. On land that only has logging trails.
Deer, turkey, bear, wolf, coyote, squirrel and snipe hunting.
Camping, fishing and just having fun. Drinking beer with friends and having fun.
Sadly, not enough people understand

Don’t forget to beef up your tie rods. Enjoy your awesome setup

 

[VIRUS]

Don’t forget to beef up your tie rods. Enjoy your awesome setup

Some might say my thinking is flawed.
I decided against beefing up anything steering related.
I have spares tie rods incoming.
If anything is going to break, I want it to be a tie rod. Not the rack.
If the 3.0 rack is ever figured out for a Badlands, I will upgrade all of it.
Might change my mind down the road but for now, that's how I'm rolling.
Most of the tie rods that are breaking are due to spacer lifts allowing too much droop and with the added mass of a larger tires shit breaks .
My setup doesn't increase droop and there's not many rocks in Wisconsin. And I think I know my limitations

 

[Mahin2021]

Some might say my thinking is flawed.
I decided against beefing up anything steering related.
I have spares tie rods incoming.
If anything is going to break, I want it to be a tie rod. Not the rack.
If the 3.0 rack is ever figured out for a Badlands, I will upgrade all of it.
Might change my mind down the road but for now, that's how I'm rolling.
Most of the tie rods that are breaking are due to spacer lifts allowing too much droop and with the added mass of a larger tires shit breaks .
My setup doesn't increase droop and there's not many rocks in Wisconsin. And I think I know my limitations

Sounds good Be safe and God Bless

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