4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

Seeing next to no builds for 4th Gen with Bilstein 8112/8100...I know its a $4,300 setup, but really, no builds!?!

Am I a nut for considering this setup for my 05 V8? Should I just do 6112/5160 and save $2.5k?

Its mostly stock, but have been doing hard wheeling and am ready to take the plunge. Daily driver/desert basher/trail crawler/light camping build, planning to spend $8-11k btwn complete armor and shocks.
 
Seeing next to no builds for 4th Gen with Bilstein 8112/8100...I know its a $4,300 setup, but really, no builds!?!

Am I a nut for considering this setup for my 05 V8? Should I just do 6112/5160 and save $2.5k?

Its mostly stock, but have been doing hard wheeling and am ready to take the plunge. Daily driver/desert basher/trail crawler/light camping build, planning to spend $8-11k btwn complete armor and shocks.


For considering it? No. But, with the caveat that I’ve been perfectly happy first with a couple of lightly used Tacoma TRD Offroad setups and now with Eibach all around, I can’t imagine there’s a difference that’s significant and/or quantifiable enough to be worth $2,500.
 
For considering it? No. But, with the caveat that I’ve been perfectly happy first with a couple of lightly used Tacoma TRD Offroad setups and now with Eibach all around, I can’t imagine there’s a difference that’s significant and/or quantifiable enough to be worth $2,500.

Yep, I get it. I guess I'm just a sucker for cool tech. The 3 compression zones is just so cool to me. My commute has some insane potholes, they move every day I swear. I'm just dreaming about how they'd feel at 70, lol. Not to mention the whoops and slickrock trails......

But the 6112's gotta be very similar...can't imagine I would notice $2,500 worth of a difference vs the 8112's.

Just so worried I'm going to get the 6112's and regret not going a step further. Dozens of hours of research have yet to convince me either way. Struggle.
 
Yep, I get it. I guess I'm just a sucker for cool tech. The 3 compression zones is just so cool to me. My commute has some insane potholes, they move every day I swear. I'm just dreaming about how they'd feel at 70, lol. Not to mention the whoops and slickrock trails......

But the 6112's gotta be very similar...can't imagine I would notice $2,500 worth of a difference vs the 8112's.

Just so worried I'm going to get the 6112's and regret not going a step further. Dozens of hours of research have yet to convince me either way. Struggle.

I definitely understand the fear of “what if?” But IMO, the bolded sentence is your answer, again with a caveat that my threshold for justifying spending more may be higher than yours.
 
Stock 2008 with 180k. Needs new shocks and springs. I do mostly city driving/hwy, but I do hunt/explore old mountain roads, and occasional 4x4. I want to keep it simple and low budget (truck needs work elsewhere too).

Are 5100s in the front and back going to be my best bang for the buck & easy set-up? What springs should I run?
 
Stock 2008 with 180k. Needs new shocks and springs. I do mostly city driving/hwy, but I do hunt/explore old mountain roads, and occasional 4x4. I want to keep it simple and low budget (truck needs work elsewhere too).

Are 5100s in the front and back going to be my best bang for the buck & easy set-up? What springs should I run?


You’re a perfect candidate for the Tacoma swap. Cost-efficient and great ride on and off road. You'll get the front coils and can run any rear springs that fit. See the suspension post linked in my thread (I eventually went with Eibach after the Tacoma gear) and also search for it on the forum. There are lots of threads.

Also, some who use their trucks as you describe find 5100s uncomfortably stiff b/c it’s designed for modded trucks that carry more weight. You might consider Bilstein 4600s if you go that route.

Here’s a comparison:
==
Bilstein 5100 Shocks:

Design: The Bilstein 5100 shocks are specifically designed for trucks, SUVs, and lifted vehicles. They feature a monotube gas pressure design for improved handling, stability, and control.

Adjustable Ride Height: One notable feature of the Bilstein 5100 shocks is their adjustable ride height. They come with multiple snap-ring grooves that allow you to fine-tune the vehicle's front ride height.

Off-Road Capability: The Bilstein 5100 shocks are also known for their off-road performance. They provide enhanced damping and control during off-road adventures, making them suitable for rough terrains and trail driving.

Improved Heat Dissipation: These shocks have a larger surface area for heat dissipation, which helps in maintaining optimal performance even during intense use.

Durability: Bilstein 5100 shocks are built to be durable and withstand demanding conditions. They are constructed with high-quality materials and go through rigorous testing to ensure long-lasting performance.

Bilstein 4600 Shocks:

Design: The Bilstein 4600 shocks are designed as a direct replacement for stock or OEM shocks. They are suitable for various vehicle types, including trucks, SUVs, and some passenger cars.

Comfort-Oriented: The Bilstein 4600 shocks are designed to provide a smooth and comfortable ride. They offer improved damping and control over stock shocks, enhancing overall comfort during daily driving.

OEM Fitment: These shocks are engineered to match the original equipment specifications. They provide a hassle-free installation process, fitting directly into the existing shock mounts without any modifications.

Handling and Stability: While the Bilstein 4600 shocks prioritize comfort, they also improve handling and stability compared to stock shocks. They offer better road control and reduced body roll, resulting in improved overall vehicle dynamics.

Durability: Like other Bilstein shocks, the 4600 series is built to be durable and withstand normal driving conditions. They are manufactured using high-quality materials and undergo strict quality control measures.

In summary, the Bilstein 5100 shocks are specifically designed for trucks, SUVs, and lifted vehicles, offering adjustable ride height and improved off-road capabilities. On the other hand, the Bilstein 4600 shocks are designed as direct replacements for stock shocks, prioritizing comfort and providing enhanced handling and stability. Both series are known for their durability and high-quality construction. Your choice between the two would depend on your specific vehicle, driving preferences, and desired performance characteristics.
==
 
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Great thank you so much!


You’re welcome. Meant to add that FB Marketplace usually has Tacoma gear. Here’s an example from my area. Fronts only but $100 for model year 2022 coilovers with 2K miles. Just be sure to verify fit. I believe 2015 Tacomas & up are definitely plug and play on 4th Gen 4Rs other than replacing the bushings on the rear shocks. You will obviously need rear springs since the Tacoma uses leaf springs on the rear. You might consider just getting the 4R 4600s for the back with new springs paired up with Tacoma front coilovers. All that is explained in my suspension post and I’m happy to answer any questions.
 
You’re welcome. Meant to add that FB Marketplace usually has Tacoma gear. Here’s an example from my area. Fronts only but $100 for model year 2022 coilovers with 2K miles. Just be sure to verify fit. I believe 2015 Tacomas & up are definitely plug and play on 4th Gen 4Rs other than replacing the bushings on the rear shocks. You will obviously need rear springs since the Tacoma uses leaf springs on the rear. You might consider just getting the 4R 4600s for the back with new springs paired up with Tacoma front coilovers. All that is explained in my suspension post and I’m happy to answer any questions.

hey dude, massively appreciate your knowledge on the Tacoma swap.

I've got stock XREAS at 90k and while the ride quality isn't bad, I think it could be better. I installed spacers about 5k miles ago which are fine, but didn't fully fix my rubbing issue on my AT tires. I also replaced the CV axle recently and that fixed a clunking sound that became present right after the spacer install

beyond that, I think I may be on completely stock suspension components.

now with that in mind, I was thinking of deleting the XREAS and doing something like the Eibach pro kit but it's gone up in price since the last time I looked (now up to $1k~ plus install costs) and that led me down the Tacoma rabbit hole. plus I am pretty sure I will want new UCAs as mine are a little worse for the wear in terms of rust.

so if I'm understanding your posts right, something like TRD Offroad suspension from a 2022 taco should be pretty much plug & play up front, but will need new bushings in the rear and also will need springs?

is $300 for front and rear a good deal (5k miles) or would you suggest holding out for better? it seems like a great price to me since it includes UCAs
 
hey dude, massively appreciate your knowledge on the Tacoma swap.

I've got stock XREAS at 90k and while the ride quality isn't bad, I think it could be better. I installed spacers about 5k miles ago which are fine, but didn't fully fix my rubbing issue on my AT tires. I also replaced the CV axle recently and that fixed a clunking sound that became present right after the spacer install

beyond that, I think I may be on completely stock suspension components.

now with that in mind, I was thinking of deleting the XREAS and doing something like the Eibach pro kit but it's gone up in price since the last time I looked (now up to $1k~ plus install costs) and that led me down the Tacoma rabbit hole. plus I am pretty sure I will want new UCAs as mine are a little worse for the wear in terms of rust.

so if I'm understanding your posts right, something like TRD Offroad suspension from a 2022 taco should be pretty much plug & play up front, but will need new bushings in the rear and also will need springs?

is $300 for front and rear a good deal (5k miles) or would you suggest holding out for better? it seems like a great price to me since it includes UCAs


Any luck on this answer? What shocks are you using?
 
Any luck on this answer? What shocks are you using?

He PM’d the question also. Here’s my response:
==
This is a tough call b/c suspension is so subjective and b/c I don't think you can go wrong either way. Here's my opinion on each:

Facebook gear: If the 3K mile statement is accurate, this is a good deal, especially if you can talk the price down a bit. The tough thing about FB buys is trust. Maybe it's the owner just chucking the dirty parts in a box but my first thought at seeing the pic was, "Really, 3000 miles?" If it's legit, you're getting nearly-new OEM components that are known to be solid. One disadvantage on this particular listing though is that the coilovers are disassembled. You can install them using the "no spring press" method (explained in many threads on the forum) but you may need new top hats (I think the official name is "Upper Shock Mount"). They're not terribly expensive but that would be an added cost for this option if they're not included. I assume he took them apart to use the stock top hats with the new lift. If the top hats are included, then it would seem weird to me that the parts are disassembled, FWIW.

As for the rear, the Tacoma rear shocks were fine for me but some find them a little soft on the 4R and the 4R-specific 4600 (that these are modeled after) are much beefier. Don't know if this is accurate, but my logic on that is that the front end of a Tacoma and 4R are very similar in weight but the back end of a pickup will naturally weigh less than an SUV b/c there's less structure. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. It's probably worth adding that I did the Tacoma swap to get something solid onto my truck when my X-REAS was shot without spending a lot b/c I wanted to get a feel for suspension stuff before shelling out a bunch of money. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gone straight to Eibach. One particularly painful memory is seeing their entire 4th Gen kit, shocks and springs front and back, for like $675 on a Black Friday a few years back. Should have done it!

TRQ/Eibach - More expensive to be sure but probably worth it. I haven't had my TRQ gear on for that long but the parts seem solid and identical to the OEM LCAs I took off. It's odd though b/c there's not a lot of info or reviews about them online - they kind of fly under the radar so in reality, I'll need many more miles before I can safely say their parts are top notch. I give them credit for the insane number of outstanding installation videos they have for the 4th Gen, though of course that has nothing to do with the parts quality. Same story for Eibach, it's only been a few months but I'm 100% happy with the setup. I drive mostly on the road but have had my truck offroad on easy to moderate trails (I'm just not into rock crawling and 40 degree roll angles LOL) and the ride - again in my subjective opinion - is superb. Just enough feel for the road without being harsh at all and really nice on the trails.

LMK what you decide to do and how it turns out, and I'm happy to answer any other questions as best I can.
 
I think I'll go with 5100s. I have a pair of untouched rear OEM 2009 FJ coils. Should I just order a set of new FJ coils for the front?
 
I found a pair of rear FJ springs on the used market and was wondering if there's anything wrong with installing just the springs and leaving the rear shocks stock. Have a 2007 SR5 V6
 
Off-road/pre-running

Would there Bilstein 5100s be enough in themselves to get me off roading and able to hit the desert with some speed? Or to go at speed would I want to add OME springs as well?
 
Tacoma swap

I got 2019 Tacoma TRD coil over shocks today to level out the front of my 2007 stock SR5 4wd 4runner (Tacoma swap)...anyone know which one is the drivers side and which is passenger? One has a red and blue dot and the other has a red and green dot.


Thanks for any help you can give!
 

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