The 5160 is essentially a 5100 with a remote reservoir. Both share the same monotube design and suit leveled or lifted trucks. The reservoir is the only real difference, but it changes how the shock behaves under hard use.
What the reservoir does
- More oil means more capacity to absorb heat.
- Cooler running means damping stays consistent over long washboard roads, desert running and hours of towing.
- Room for a longer stroke in the same mounting length on some applications.
For more on how reservoirs work, see remote reservoir shocks vs standard shocks.
When to choose each
| Use | 5100 | 5160 |
|---|---|---|
| Daily driving on a leveled truck | ✔ | More than you need |
| Occasional towing | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heavy fifth wheel or towing most of the year | ✔ | |
| Washboard, desert or long dirt roads | ✔ | |
| Tight budget | ✔ |
Part numbers on popular trucks
- Ram 3500 2013-2026: 5100 front 24-251747, 5160 front 25-311921, 5160 rear 25-302349.
- Ram 2500: see Ram 2500 shocks.
- Toyota Land Cruiser 1998-2007: 5160 25-275131. All parts are on the Land Cruiser shocks page.
- Jeep Wrangler JL: see 5100 or 5160 for a lifted JL?
FAQ
Does the 5160 ride better than the 5100?
On normal roads, they feel very similar. The difference shows when the shocks get hot: the 5160 keeps its damping, while a 5100 can start to soften.