A wide range of shock absorbers is available in the market, and identifying which is best suited for your vehicle can be a little tricky, as they all offer similar features and specifications.
The Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 are two of the most popular shock absorbers for lifted vehicles, heavy trucks, 2WD, and 4WD vehicles. So we have made a comparison of Bilstein 5100 Vs Fox 2.0 to help you find out which one is best for you.
Bilstein 5100 Vs Fox 2.0 Comparison
| Bilstein 5100 | Fox 2.0 | |
| Piston Size | 46 mm | 48 mm |
| Body Material | Steel | Aluminum |
| Body Size | 1.95 inches | 2 inches |
| Rod Size | ½ inches or 14 mm | ⅝ inches or 16 mm |
| Finish | Zinc | Anodized |
| Heat Dissipation | Good | Better |
| Nitrogen Gas | 200 PSI | 3000 PSI |
| Desgined For | Moderate Trails | Agrresive Tracks |
| Shock Design | Monotube | Monotube |
| Adjustability | Semi-adjustable | No |
| Knob | Yes | Yes |
| Stiffy | Yes (Slightly) | No |
| Self-adjustable Disc Valve | Yes | No |
| Rod Material | Chrome plated steel finish | Chrome Plated Steel Finish |
| Self-lubrication | No | No |
| Driving Experience | Smooth and Pleasant | Much Smoother and Pleasant |
| Affordability | Less Expensive | More Expensive |
| Recommended for | Lifted Trucks and SUVs | 2WD and 4WD Vehicles |
| Best For | Daily Use and Offroad | Offroad |
| Country of Origin | Germany and USA | USA |
Similarities Between Bilstein 5100 Vs Fox 2.0
Knob
The Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 both shock absorbers offer a knob which is very helpful in certain conditions. The knob allows you to adjust the shock absorber suspension as you wish.
With the help of a knob, you can not only adjust the shock absorber, but you can also adjust its spring pressure and other different things.
Rod Material
When it comes to the rod material, then it is one of the most important considerations to look for while buying the shock absorber for your vehicle.
The Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 comes with a rod that is made up of Chrome plated steel finish. The chrome plated steel finish is the best finish that you can find in a shock absorber, as it requires less dependency on the lubrication oil.
Self-Lubrication
Many premium-grade shock absorber offers self-lubrication functionality, which is great to have, as you don’t have to put the lubrication oil manually every time in the shock absorber.
However, this is not the case with the Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0, as both of these shock absorbers require you to put the oil manually. Both of these shock absorbers don’t have self-lubrication functionality.
Shock Design
The Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 both shock absorber comes with the same shock design, that is Monotube. Monotube shock absorbers are better due to their better heat dissipation and better damping force.
Difference Between Bilstein 5100 Vs Fox 2.0
Piston Size
The first major difference between the Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 is their Piston size. The Bilstein 5100 comes with a 46 mm piston, in comparison to the 48 mm piston of Fox 2.0. So, Fox 2.0 offers a larger piston which is better than having a small piston.
Body Material
The body material is another great difference between the Bilstein and Fox 2.0. The Bilstein 5100 shock absorber comes with a body that is made up of steel and is highly durable.
On the other hand, the Fox 2.0 shock absorber comes with a lightweight body that is made up of Aluminum material. The aluminum material is slightly weaker than the steel body of 5100.
Body Size
The body size of Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 is also different. While the body size has only a minor difference, for some users, it can be a deal breaker as well.
The Bilstein 5100 comes with 1.95 inches of body size. Whereas the Fox 2.0 comes with 2-inch body size.
Rod Size
The Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 has different size of rods, making them both significantly different from each other.
The Bilstein 5100 comes with a ½ inch or 14 mm rod size. On the other side, the Fox 2.0 comes with a 5/8 inch 16 mm rod. So, you have to decide which rod you would prefer for your vehicle.
Finish
The Bilstein 5100 comes with a zinc metal finish in comparison to the anodized metal finish of the Fox 2.0. The anodized metal does not rust, whereas the Zinc metal rusts. So Fox 2.0 is again a clear winner.
Heat Dissipation
Both the Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 shock absorber offers great heat dissipation. However, the Bilstein 5100 is slightly better in terms of heat dissipation due to its better and functional design.
Gas Pressure
The gas pressure is another important thing to look out for before buying a shock absorber. The better the gas pressure, the better will be the stability of the shock absorber.
There is a significant difference between the Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 in terms of gas pressure. The Bilstein 5100 comes with 200 PSI Nitrogen gas pressure.
On the other hand, the Fox 2.0 offers 3000 PSI nitrogen gas pressure, which is way more in comparison to the Bilstein 5100. So definitely, the Fox 2.0 is a better choice if you want more stability and firmness on bumpy roads.
Design
The Bilstein 5100 and the Fox 2.0 are both shock absorbers, but they are designed to perform different functions in different cars. The Bilstein 5100 is specifically designed for Moderate Trails, while the Fox 2.0 is specifically designed for aggressive tracks.
Driving Experience
When it comes to the driving experience, then the Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 both shock absorber offers a great experience on different road and weather conditions.
The Fox 2.0 shock absorbers are an excellent choice for most drivers. They provide good performance without sacrificing comfort or control in any way, which is great if you want your vehicle to handle well, even under heavy acceleration or braking conditions.
They also offer improved control over harsh vibrations, which makes them ideal for vehicles that are regularly used on rough roads or highways because they reduce fatigue from long drives.
The Fox 2.0 is better in terms of driving experience because they have better gas pressure and management than the Bilstein 5100.
Affordability
Pricing is one of the most important factors for most buyers. The Bilstein 5100 is much cheaper than the Fox 2.0, almost half of the price of Fox 2.0. The Fox 2.0 is double the price of the Bilstein 5100, but it also offers slightly better features.
Compatible Vehicles
When it comes to vehicle compatibility, then both the shock absorbers are decent and compatible with most heavy and light duty vehicles.
However, if you use them in specific vehicles, then you can obtain the best performance out of them. For instance, the Bilstein 5100 is highly suitable for lifted trucks along with SUVs. On the other hand, the Fox 2.0 is most suitable for the 2WD and 4WD vehicles.
Usage
Both the shock absorbers differ in terms of usage. The Bilstein 5100 is best suited for daily use. Also, you can use the Bilstein 5100 for offroading. However, they are not meant for extreme offroading. On the other hand, the Fox 2.0 is capable of extreme offroading and specifically designed for offroad vehicles.
Pros and Cons of Bilstein 5100 Vs Fox 2.0
Bilstein 5100:
| Pros | Cons |
| Suitable for daily use | Driving experience is average |
| Compatible with lifted trucks and SUVs | |
| Highly affordable | |
| Decent rod size |
Fox 2.0:
| Pros | Cons |
| Compatible with 2WD and 4WD | On the pricy side |
| Ideal for offroading | |
| Great stability | |
| Better driving experience |
Which is Better: Bilstein 5100 Vs Fox 2.0?
The Fox 2.0 is better due to its better features. For instance, the Fox 2.0 shock absorber has great stability even on extremely bad and bumpy roads. The Fox 2.0 comes with a great nitrogen gas pressure of 3000 PSI units, so it can easily balance out the vibrations and gives you better control over different road conditions.
However, not everyone can afford Fox 2.0 shock absorbers due to their high price. The Fox 2.0 comes at almost double the price of Bilstein 5100 shock absorbers.
Read: Bilstein 5100 vs Ranchi RS9000XL
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which has a fast response rate: Bilstein 5100 Vs Fox 2.0?
The Fox 2.0 has a faster response rate due to its better design and compression.
Which is more durable: Bilstein 5100 or Fox 2.0?
The Bilstein 5100 is more durable due to its steel body design.
Does Fox 2.0 have a universal fitment?
Yes, the Fox 2.0 easily fits most vehicles.
Conclusion
So, there is everything you should know about the Bilstein 5100 Vs Fox 2.0 comparison. Both are great shock absorbers for a different range of vehicles.
Depending upon your budget, you can go with any of these shock absorbers. If you want more comfort and the price doesn’t matter to you, then go with the Fox 2.0.
Else choose the Bilstein 5100 shock absorbers if you want a better price-to-performance ratio, as the 5100 can get you decent performance, especially if you have a budget under $500.