03-10-2022, 09:04 PM
|
#1
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Norcal
Posts: 246
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Norcal
Posts: 246
|
Bilstien 5100s or replace Gabriels
So this happened a while ago while I was up skiing. As far as I could tell the top nut somehow loosened itself.
I broke my shoulder right after, so the few times I've driven it since then I've just pumped the airbags up and not gone very far, but now the time has come to decide whether to get some hardware to replace the Gabriel shocks that are on there, or go for some new ones. I couldn't find any info about the ones that are on there, and my records go back pretty far, so I'm leaning towards new ones.
I've heard a lot about the Bilstien 5100s, and my dad really likes bilstiens, so that's the way I'm leaning, but I'd like some input. I have Toytec ultimate coilovers up front, on the lowest perch, and I believe the back is on OEM (not original) '99 tall springs.
The other side:
__________________
‘98 T100 SR5 4X4 5spd (sold)
‘99 4Runner SR5 4x4 5spd E-Locker Unicorn
Last edited by 5VZ-FE; 03-10-2022 at 09:06 PM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
03-11-2022, 08:51 AM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: NOVA
Posts: 1,453
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: NOVA
Posts: 1,453
|
If I were you, I'd highly recommend the 5100's. I, too, had the Gabriels when I purchased my truck 9 years ago. Stock suspension, stock everything. They rode fine, but were worn out. The 5100's are going to give you a much better ride quality. Are you lifted? Planning to lift?
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
03-11-2022, 09:13 AM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: illinois
Posts: 1,596
Real Name: Ron
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: illinois
Posts: 1,596
Real Name: Ron
|
Gabriels! I haven't heard of that shock since the 70's.
__________________
2003 Limited, V8, AWD. 4600 Bils/FJ springs, 1/2" spacer, SPC UCA, Super Pro bushings in front LCA and in all rear control arms, Michelin 265/65R17 LTX/Defenders, stock wheels with homemade center caps, Stop Tech slotted rotors w/Posi Quiet pads all around.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
03-11-2022, 11:32 AM
|
#4
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Idaho
Posts: 610
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Idaho
Posts: 610
|
The thing is, they really aren’t the same shock. You’re comparing a monotube to a twin tube design.
A better comparison would be like a Monroe, a KYB, an old man emu or the like.
Since the 5100 exists, there’s really no reason not to use it. Availability might be a challenge these days, but you really are stepping up into a much higher performing system than what a twin tube can provide.
If it’s just a street machine, then it really doesn’t matter, and a monotube probably isn’t needed. If you’re going to push the limits and do a lot of high-speed stuff off-road, then it makes all the difference.
What’s nice about the Bilstein 5100 and series and up, Is that you are buying more of a racing level product in terms of design, function, and cooling, but you get OEM type bushings and wiper seals for long life. They do cost more, but assuming cost isn’t an issue, it really is as far as you can go (outside of the 6112 & 5160 for now on a 3rd gen) without stepping into racing level parts and the serviceability that comes with them.
There are some really neat shocks out there, but they do come with some ownership penalties. The majority of them are not an install and forget it type thing. Look up the service cycle on the Ford raptor shocks, and tell me that isn’t nuts…..
I think the 5100s are a great buy and have a tremendous value with them. You can set the ride height, they are monotube, aluminum, and their Digressive valving works really well for general use. You could wheel and daily drive with them and it will work well all over. Not saying you can’t use other options, my question would just be why? If it came down to price, or if you were limited by parts purchasing or the shop that installs them for you then that’s one thing, but for a guy who is installing him in his driveway, you get to pick whatever you want.
Now if the plushest softest ride is what you’re after, then go get an OEM level or equivalent set of shocks and SL tires and call it a day.
__________________
99’ Black “Highlander” sport, oak, 5VZ auto, 4.30 axle, e-lock, 265/75 Grabber X3,, Bilstein 6112 (2”) front 5160 rear shocks, OME 2906 springs, Durobumps, 4x Inovations front middle rear skid plates, 4XI square TRD tube sliders, lil skips tank skid, lotus dev RCA skids, overland custom sway bar links, Amp’d hidden winch, warn Vr Evo 10s
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
03-11-2022, 11:35 AM
|
#5
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Idaho
Posts: 610
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Idaho
Posts: 610
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdruss
Gabriels! I haven't heard of that shock since the 70's.
|
They spend most of their time these days building OEM stuff.
__________________
99’ Black “Highlander” sport, oak, 5VZ auto, 4.30 axle, e-lock, 265/75 Grabber X3,, Bilstein 6112 (2”) front 5160 rear shocks, OME 2906 springs, Durobumps, 4x Inovations front middle rear skid plates, 4XI square TRD tube sliders, lil skips tank skid, lotus dev RCA skids, overland custom sway bar links, Amp’d hidden winch, warn Vr Evo 10s
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
03-12-2022, 12:09 AM
|
#6
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Norcal
Posts: 246
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Norcal
Posts: 246
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Romeo1
Since the 5100 exists, there’s really no reason not to use it. Availability might be a challenge these days
|
Sold. Thanks for your reasoning. With the availability issues in mind, do you recommend any distributors? (Online or brick and mortar)
__________________
‘98 T100 SR5 4X4 5spd (sold)
‘99 4Runner SR5 4x4 5spd E-Locker Unicorn
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
03-12-2022, 01:15 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,672
Real Name: Blair
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,672
Real Name: Blair
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5VZ-FE
Sold. Thanks for your reasoning. With the availability issues in mind, do you recommend any distributors? (Online or brick and mortar)
|
It seems the 3rd gen-specific 5100s are in stock these days including at most "lowest price guaranteed" whores like 4WP. Basically pick a vendor you want to support and that has the payment options and sales tax levy you prefer.
__________________
258K - Y2K/E - Clock still works
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
03-12-2022, 06:19 PM
|
#8
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Norcal
Posts: 246
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Norcal
Posts: 246
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeT4R
If I were you, I'd highly recommend the 5100's. I, too, had the Gabriels when I purchased my truck 9 years ago. Stock suspension, stock everything. They rode fine, but were worn out. The 5100's are going to give you a much better ride quality. Are you lifted? Planning to lift?
|
Do you happen to know which part number those were? On the Bilstein website I'm seeing 24-249966, but on different threads here I'm seeing varying part numbers, including Rear #24-100144...
__________________
‘98 T100 SR5 4X4 5spd (sold)
‘99 4Runner SR5 4x4 5spd E-Locker Unicorn
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
03-12-2022, 09:17 PM
|
#9
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: KC
Posts: 823
|
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: KC
Posts: 823
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5VZ-FE
Do you happen to know which part number those were? On the Bilstein website I'm seeing 24-249966, but on different threads here I'm seeing varying part numbers, including Rear #24-100144...
|
My 4Runner-specific 5100 part numbers:
- Bilstein 5100 4Runner front shocks (PN 24-248730)
- Bilstein 5100 4Runner rear shocks (PN 24-249966
__________________
2000 SR-5 V6 4x4 Auto
"Ol' Ruby" - build thread
@Y2K_4X4
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
03-12-2022, 11:46 PM
|
#10
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Idaho
Posts: 610
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Idaho
Posts: 610
|
Bilstien 5100s or replace Gabriels
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5VZ-FE
Sold. Thanks for your reasoning. With the availability issues in mind, do you recommend any distributors? (Online or brick and mortar)
|
Well, I really like Wheelers off-road. Their service is just fantastic. Shock surplus was good for me too. That said there’s lots of choices these days.
Summit, Napa, & O’Reillys are chain options. 4WP is another one. There are also some Ma and Pop 4x4 shops. It really just depends.
I chose Wheelers because they actually had answers to my questions. It’s a simple thing, but it’s kinda hard to find these days. I deal with enough people that don’t know what they’re doing in my day job, so when I find it out in the world, I do what I can to throw money at them.
__________________
99’ Black “Highlander” sport, oak, 5VZ auto, 4.30 axle, e-lock, 265/75 Grabber X3,, Bilstein 6112 (2”) front 5160 rear shocks, OME 2906 springs, Durobumps, 4x Inovations front middle rear skid plates, 4XI square TRD tube sliders, lil skips tank skid, lotus dev RCA skids, overland custom sway bar links, Amp’d hidden winch, warn Vr Evo 10s
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
03-13-2022, 02:56 PM
|
#11
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,672
Real Name: Blair
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,672
Real Name: Blair
|
Wheeler's has its detractors, but they helped me make a more informed choice since doing Bilstein suspension for 3rd Gens is something they have done for a long, long time. Various discounts, free shipping, no sales tax options seem to be abundant there, too.
__________________
258K - Y2K/E - Clock still works
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-03-2022, 04:42 PM
|
#12
|
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 5,154
Real Name: C8H18 Mike
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 5,154
Real Name: C8H18 Mike
|
I bought my first set of rear shocks from Toytec when I lifted my rear 2" along with spacers up front. Was pretty soft up front.
I bought my Tundra billies from Summit, and 620# Eibach springs from Toytec, based on best combined price, when I added my ARB bumper and winch* to net 3" front lift, and upgraded to LC 8-wrap rears.
I've sinced moved that combo to my 4WD and added Toikco LC shocks in the rear purchased from Camelback.
So many choices today
*winch install STILL pending
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
__________________
.
1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Sport 4WD, V6 5-Speed e-Locker-> 4WD 4runner Journal Thread
1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Un-Sported 2WD, V6 Auto -> 2WD 4runner Journal Thread
1959 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton Pickup EVERYTHING done 'cept paint and body
.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-04-2022, 08:03 PM
|
#13
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 6
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 6
|
5100's would be my choice. Just a better shock all around. I went online and compared multiple vendors to see who was the cheapest and in stock.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-05-2022, 12:39 PM
|
#14
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Norcal
Posts: 246
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Norcal
Posts: 246
|
Bilstien 5100s or replace Gabriels
I ended up going with the bilsteins. Wheelers offered what I felt was a pretty good deal. I wouldn’t say the ride quality is loads better, but the peace of mind is nice, and there are certain potholes I’m familiar with that feel less jarring now. I have to replace a ton of worn (or just plain gone) boots/bushings though. I’m embarrassed I let some of these get by me for so long.
Shouldn’t there be something else between this body mount, and the frame metal??
__________________
‘98 T100 SR5 4X4 5spd (sold)
‘99 4Runner SR5 4x4 5spd E-Locker Unicorn
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
04-05-2022, 02:27 PM
|
#15
|
Elite Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,377
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,377
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5VZ-FE
Shouldn’t there be something else between this body mount, and the frame metal??
|
That's 100% stock and perfect. Yes, really. (it is there mostly for accident purposes - the '96's didn't even have a mount in that location)
-Charlie
__________________
'99 4Runner SR5 Auto - 4WD swapped
'89 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd
'17 Chevy Volt Premier
'16 Honda Odyssey Elite
Previous: '88 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GE BEAMS, 90 Camry 3S-GTE, 90 Camry DX, '03 WRX wagon, '08 Outback XT
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|