Need Bilstein 5100's Advice
 

New 4Runner owner here, just recently picked up my 2005 V8 4WD Limited w/91k Miles and I Love It! I know my suspension is worn and tired and in need of an upgrade. After reading hundreds of posts and links I believe I have narrowed down two potential paths for my lift. I would be doing a majority of on road driving but look forward to exploring some Colorado trails on the weekends (I'm moving there this week). My overall goal is to level out the rake, and potentially add a little extra height. I can't break the bank, but I want something quality, so I don't want to do the cheapest lift options. I have my heart set on getting a set of Bilstein 5100's for the front and rear, but here is where I'm still unsure on which set up to run.

Option 1 - Front Bilstein's set to 1.75" Notch and rear Bilstein's with stock springs all around. I was thinking this would give a nice level look?

Option 2 - Bilstein's all front and rear combined with FJ Springs. However I'm confused on whether I would set it to .85" or 1.75". From the photos I have seen of others with Bilstein's at .85" and FJ coils, it looks like there is still decent rake. But I don't see many people setting them at 1.75" with FJ coils. So this option I'm more confused on.

I am leaning towards Option 1 as it is less parts/cheaper cost and looks pretty straight forward. I know the FJ springs combined with the Bilstein's seem to make the ride amazing, from what most people posted, I Just want a level look with out breaking the bank. I'm hoping some experts or users who have made these changes could chime in. Wanted to hear how other users with V8 4wd like the drive quality with Stock springs and Bilstein's set to 1.75? I know tire size will be asked. As of known I have stock 265/65/17. Ideally down the road, i'd want something bigger like BFG AT 265/70/17, But would be open to any options as that'd down the road a bit.

2003 V8 Limited. 5100s with OME 887 front and Toytec Superflex rear springs. 285/70/17 tires. I’d recommend this combo to anyone. I’m happy with it on road and we will see how it performs off-road in a few weeks.

Also, you don’t want “level” in terms of wheel gap. They actually means your frame is reverse raked, thus Carolina squatting while appearing “level”.

I don't have the V8 but I did run 5100's for a few years. Mine were at 1.75 with tacoma springs for around 3" of lift up front. My advice is get the 6112 fronts if you can spend a little more. 5100's for me were awful on small bump compliance daily driving. On big stuff like speed bumps they blew right through the travel. I think this was all because of digressive valving but you'll find plenty of posts on the topic. On the other hand the 6112 gets glowing reviews.
My .02 since I'm now on rev 4 of lift kits and wish I would've skipped the early revisions. I currently have Fox but I think 6112 is a great shock.
FJ springs added zero lift for me but they do ride nice on stock shocks

1.75 in the front with stock springs netted me 2" of lift and I had reverse rake. Added ome 895e springs in the rear with a trim packer on the driver's side and it sits perfect to me now with a little rake.

If you're on a budget, no reason you can throw on the bilsteins with the factory springs and play with the adjustment up front as needed. You have 4 possible settings and surely one will get you close to what you want.

if that doesnt work, it isn't much work to throw in some new springs, especially in the rear.

I'm not sure how the FJ springs compare to the OME springs, but I can attest that with the OME springs I am running you don't want to set it to anything other than the 0 or #1 perch setting on the 5100's as it will start lifting it too much.

My first go-around I ended up with a pretty nasty carolina squat with the last perch setting and OME springs..

Is there any downside to 6112 fronts if towing? I've been debating forever between the 5100's and 6112's for the exact reasons you describe. But have not been able to find any info on 6112's and towing an RV. I've got an old 23' Airstream, about 4500lb in weight, that I'd like to tow on long trips for summer vacations. Also, what springs did you recommend to run with 6112 to keep stock height or just slightly lift an inch?

For your described use, the 6112 front and 5100 rear would be perfect. However, I don't know how the V8 changes the front weight. Standard springs on the 6112 are PLUSH on road but a little soft for frequent and/or faster offroading. The 650lb springs make the combo more capable but are sporty rather than stiff on road (with the V6). It is possible that with V8, steel skids, and rock sliders you get the best of both worlds with the 650lb springs.


My trailer is feather weight but I don't see why the 6112 would have a downside. The shock itself is in a different league from the 5100 though the standard spring is as soft as the stock one (roughly).

Basically, a 6112 setup adjusts two ways: height, which is what everyone knows but is not that important (ha!) and offroad performance, which nobody talks about yet the difference is HUGE (standard vs 650lb spring).

The shock is very capable but the softness of the standard spring is a limiting factor in rock crawling where you hit rocks as the front bounces and at speed. However, I did not bottom out once throughout my trials of the standard spring so the shock itself is really capable.

Check Amazon for their "used" section on these also, I bought mine this way listed in "like new" condition and they were obviously just returns, never installed. Got them for about $75 a piece for the fronts.

I went through a similar struggle with my new 2004 T4R. I was going to go with just 5100s until I realized that it stresses the suspension, ball joints, and such. Also difficult to get it aligned back to factory specs as the techs tell me. I just ordered a full kit from Toyotec that levels the diff and has UCAs, so it keeps the geometry the same.

Does anyone know where I can find some rear 5100’s in stock? The shop I use says on back order and will be March 1st - July 1st.

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I thought the 6112 only came in a rear application. Does anyone have the part number for the fronts?

6112 is the front application which comes with the spring.
5160 is the rear damper with remote reservoir no spring.

4WD V6 here. I went with 5100s (set to 0" lift) + OME 884 and really happy with it. I've had it on for 5 years now and wouldn't change it.

For the V8 I'd go to 885 or 886 if you want to maintain a very slight engine-side-down rake. It looks like OME 887 gets you level.

Where did you see that 5100s stress ball joints/etc?