2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) - Bilstein 5100s - First Impressions

Before and after installing Bilstein 5100s on my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited.
Before Install:
Front ~ 33.5 in
Rear ~ 35 in
After Install:
Front ~ 35.5 in
Rear ~ 35.5 in
Front Strut Part #: 24-225434
Rear Strut Part #: 24-225441
I had the front strut installed on the highest setting. I am running 265/65/18 Falken Wildpeak tires.
Please note, lift height will vary from car to car based on a number of factors: tire size, stock spring condition, notch the 5100 front strut is installed on.
This was installed on a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited without rear Nivomat load-leveling shocks (usually comes with tow packages).
Sorry for the video quality - I have been recording on my iPhone and converting it to the 16:9 aspect ratio. Will be using a proper camera setup in my new videos. Thanks!

[@salmanali6064]

Dear, thanks for ur efforts. How would u rate ur experience with BILSTEIN struts? I’m looking for something with good quality for my 2016 JEEP Cherokee (as close as possible to Mopar quality)

[@socalRooster]

Did not know shocks alone could change ride height .I would think you need springs to do that or lift spacers

[@matthewderickson1121]

Will this work to replace my 2012 Jeep gc overland with quadralift?

[@miguelalcazar6445]

Did your fronts come assembled with top hats ?

[@caliytito323]

Hey man what’s the size on the tires? Also thinking of buying those front tow hooks but on the RC website they only say it fits a 15-2020 I also have a 14 do you think it won’t matter?

[@Colfacts]

They are 265/65/18 falken wildpeaks. But no, the rc tow hooks will work fine on ur 14. I have a 14 limited and had no issue

[@stevem4342]

Yo bro thanks very much for this video. I got the towing package with Nivomat rear shocks. Will the 5100’s fit well on my GC?
I don’t want to lose any ride height though. Thank you

[@Colfacts]

You wouldn't lose ride height, you would gain ride height in the front depending on the setting you put the 5100 in the front at. In terms of the tow package / nivomat, from my understanding its not just plug and play. You would have to replace additional components on the rear and you would lose the load-leveling functionality that comes with the tow package. Not saying that is a bad thing, but something to be aware of. I would recommend looking into it more on Jeep Garage (website) or hitting up a local off-road shop for more guidance. I don't have Nivomats, so did not need to research it.

[@stevem4342]

@@Colfacts thanks a lot 👍🏼

[@Nick91768]

Are these Bilstein shocks available for the 2019 Grand Cherokee?

[@Colfacts]

No, I believe they only work up until 2015. The sway bar tab was moved to the strut body after, and Bilstein never bothered to update the 5100s for the new design. You could check out old man emus or Dobinsons

[@chriscorpuz7629]

How much did the shop charge you? Im looking at doing this job on my own but curious how much more shop costs

[@Colfacts]

200 to install rear shocks, 500 for front struts with alignment. So roughly 700 total in labor

[@kuluk6254]

Are this will fit to 2014 gc diesel and if it will can it added with leveling kit like 2" ?

[@Colfacts]

I am not sure, depends if you have the tow package or not. If yes, then you would have to get additional components replaced that I did not. My GC does not have the tow package with nivomat load leveling shocks, so it was pretty straightforward. But yes, regardless you could level the front 1.75"

[@f5snopro11]

Why the 5100 over the 4600?

[@Colfacts]

4600 doesn’t allow you to raise the front to be level with the rears. It’s a better option than most leveling kits available for the WK2

[@f5snopro11]

@@Colfacts oh you’re talking front. Gotcha. I have quadralift. I talked to bilstein and they said the rear 4600 and 5100 shocks are identical other than valving and they didn’t recommend 5100 for less than 35’s really. But the front makes sense.

[@Colfacts]

@@f5snopro11 yes. Only thing to consider for the rear when deciding between 5100 vs 4600, 4600 can’t support a longer coil. So you would never be able to add a lift coil to that setup in the future if you wanted additional lift. I have seen several people on the forums running 5100s shocks / struts with OME lift coils, instead of a full OME suspension setup. Adds more flexibility to your setup for the future, but obviously that route is not as cost effective as just installing everything at once (if I want to add the coils now, it would essentially be paying for the same labor cost twice).

[@f5snopro11]

@@Colfacts for the rears 4600 and 5100 are identical dimensions, just valving difference, so you could do lift with 4600 in rear. But obviously if you go 5100 in front for the adjustable struts, you gotta go 5100 rear to match. But most the guys lifting air ride run either spacers on stock shocks or 4600 or like I’m going 4600 and a small spacer. The 4600/5100 are 3/4” taller piston shaft than stock so it already accommodates a little bit of a lift.