5th Gen Limited - Replace XREAS with Bilstein 4600 or 5100

[ToyDB]

Hello,
Need to replace my leaking XREAS shocks/struts on my 2018 Limited. Likely to remove XREAS and get Bilstein 4600s or 5100s. Will keep stock springs, wheels and tires. Primarily city/highway driver with occasional light trail/towing.

Can anyone share their experience with replacing the XREAS units with either of the Bilsteins in terms of ride and handling?

Thanks!

 

[Humble Leader]

4600 or 5100 will be fine. the ride will be similar to XREAS with those two options. the 4600s will be fine for stock height if you want to save some $. the 5100s can be used in a lift. neither one is really 'better' than the other, although the 5100s can be used at stock height as well

since you are using factory springs, you probably won't need to be as concerned about driver side lean as I believe the passenger and driver spring are different heights. if you get new springs then a 5100 might be a better choice so you can set the passenger side at different height to balance the truck and use the same spring for both driver and passenger side

how long did your XREAS last? 2018 is pretty recent for a failure. if you have caught the leak early or it's a very minor weep / leak you can replace individual components of XREAS if done properly and not too much fluid has been lost

 

[ToyDB]

Thanks. Struts started leaking at around 95K miles. Not going to lift so I'm leaning towards 4600s and the more compliant on-road ride. On the other hand, the slightly firmer 5100s will give a handling/stability edge over the 4600s. I'm hopeful either will offset any stability/handling loss from removing the XREAS. Always a tradeoff somewhere.

 

[Scuba6]

Follow up Question

Did you end up going with the 4600s, and if so, any thoughts 5 months on?

I need to change out my 2011 Limited's XREAS and reading up on the options. My use case is almost exclusively on-road use, but I am now towing a 2800lb travel trailer about once a month for trips.

Does the need to tow change the recommendation for the 4600s?

Thanks!

 

[Humble Leader]

Did you end up going with the 4600s, and if so, any thoughts 5 months on?

I need to change out my 2011 Limited's XREAS and reading up on the options. My use case is almost exclusively on-road use, but I am now towing a 2800lb travel trailer about once a month for trips.

Does the need to tow change the recommendation for the 4600s?

Thanks!

the 4600s will be fine to tow, you can get stiffer springs in the back to help with squat though

 

[ToyDB]

Finally got around to replacing the XREAS shocks/struts on my 2018 Limited with Bilstein 4600s and KYB strut mounts and keeping the stock springs. Can't honestly say I remember the ride/handling 8years and 109K miles ago, but no complaints. Was somewhat concerned the 4600s might be a bit stiff but not the case. Yes, slightly firmer than I recall but not uncomfortable. The front seems a bit more compliant/smoother and the rear at times feels maybe a bit more choppy but still planted. Handling with respect to brake dive and body lean is improved over the warn XREAS units of course and best I can recall about the same as when new.

Haven't taken if off-road yet but something tells me there will be an improvement in ride and control on moderatly rough stuff.

Ride height is virtually unchange. Approximately 1/4 inch higher at all 4 corners.

Overall/bottom line. Ride is significantly more controlled and best I recall similar to the new XREAS units. Certainly way more cost effective than replacing with a new stock XREAS with little if any negatives.

BTW - I kept the XREAS lines in place and tapped them off in case (for whatever reason) I needed to retrofit. It also saves on labor hours if you have a shop doing the work.

 

[OregonTrail]

Did you end up going with the 4600s, and if so, any thoughts 5 months on?

I need to change out my 2011 Limited's XREAS and reading up on the options. My use case is almost exclusively on-road use, but I am now towing a 2800lb travel trailer about once a month for trips.

Does the need to tow change the recommendation for the 4600s?

Thanks!

Not the OP replaced my 5100's/5160's on my 2011 Trail and since you mentioned towing thought I'd chime in. IMHO neither is going to be great for towing, you are going to get a good amount of sag in the rear while towing. I towed a 2400lb boat for years and then this last couple years I've towed a 3300lb boat and got a lot of sag with the 5160's. It worked but not really a good set-up even with added Sumo springs in back. Ride-wise though you should be OK

 

[Scuba6]

Not the OP replaced my 5100's/5160's on my 2011 Trail and since you mentioned towing thought I'd chime in. IMHO neither is going to be great for towing, you are going to get a good amount of sag in the rear while towing. I towed a 2400lb boat for years and then this last couple years I've towed a 3300lb boat and got a lot of sag with the 5160's. It worked but not really a good set-up even with added Sumo springs in back. Ride-wise though you should be OK

I put the 4600s on in the spring of 2025 and have towed the camper a lot in the last year, including a 2500 mile trip. It rides as good as I can expect a 15 year old 4Runner to tow at this point. The challenge for most of us is that we're not in a position to test drive a lot of different setups, so at the end of the day, I have no idea if some other shocks might have been better.

 

[OregonTrail]

I put the 4600s on in the spring of 2025 and have towed the camper a lot in the last year, including a 2500 mile trip. It rides as good as I can expect a 15 year old 4Runner to tow at this point. The challenge for most of us is that we're not in a position to test drive a lot of different setups, so at the end of the day, I have no idea if some other shocks might have been better.

I agree - I spent weeks trying to decide on which direction to go and like you said you can't really test out different shocks unless you are doing it all yourself and even then doubt it can be done. The good news I suppose is there are lots of good options just depends on your needs

 

[Lexington]

Here is my experience with Bilstein shock. Road wise the 5100 and 6112 offers very similar performance. The difference between the two show up when breaking hard and turning. With the 6112 you will get a little less nose dipping and leaning when turning at high speeds but the trade off is a little more stiffer ride. My 6112 give me a sports car like handling. I can handle high speed turn with ease and a much more cushier ride when going over bumps.

Off-Road you’re going to get better performance from the 6112. This is because the piston size is almost double the size of of the 5100. It’s designed to take much more off-road abuse.

For towing you’re probably better off with the 6112. This is because the bigger size of the 6112 can better handle the weight. If you want a more economical option you can do 5100 in the front and 6112 in the back.

Bilstein also has a new 8,000 series shocks. They are much beefier than the 6112 but I don’t really know much about them other than they are much more expensive.

For the coil springs I don’t think you will need to change them unless you add permanent weight to your bumpers. I added a 140 lb steel bumper to the front of my 4Runner and my front end sagged a little. The front OEM coils have a 650lb rating. I essentially upgraded it to a 700 lb rating with B-12 which is designed to handle a additional 80-140 lb of weight.

If you really want to use Bilstein shocks just call their customer service. Tell them what you want to do and they will guide you to the right product.

I found this link that provides good info on the difference between the 5100 and 6112 5th Gen 4Runner Shootout - Bilstein 5100 vs 6112 Shocks

 

[MyFirstRunner]

Does anyone have a parts list for the Billstein 4600? I have a shop to do the swap on my 2011 Limited but I need to provide the parts and curious if there is a kit or summary anywhere of what is needed if replacing front and rear but not replacing any springs.

I put the 4600s on in the spring of 2025 and have towed the camper a lot in the last year, including a 2500 mile trip. It rides as good as I can expect a 15 year old 4Runner to tow at this point. The challenge for most of us is that we're not in a position to test drive a lot of different setups, so at the end of the day, I have no idea if some other shocks might have been better.

 

[Ezlife45]

Hello,
Need to replace my leaking XREAS shocks/struts on my 2018 Limited. Likely to remove XREAS and get Bilstein 4600s or 5100s. Will keep stock springs, wheels and tires. Primarily city/highway driver with occasional light trail/towing.

Can anyone share their experience with replacing the XREAS units with either of the Bilsteins in terms of ride and handling?

Thanks!

OP
Has your ride changed or are you just noticing a little weepage on your shocks. How do you intend to remove your XREAS? If you're going to do it the recommended way I may be interested in throwing a few bucks your way for your old XREAS.

 

[ToyDB]

Hope response is still timely for you, but I purchased this package from Shockwarehouse.

Bilstein B6 4600
24-329064 Front
33-329093 Rear
KYB SM5640 Strut Mount

Best I can recall, compared to when my 2018 was new, the 4600s are maybe slightly firmer than stock by a bit more controlled, particularly less brake dive. I kept the XREAs lines in place and just tapped them off. (Saved a few dollars on labor cost to remove and still have option to go back to the XREAS - for whatever reason.)

 

[mooch91]

Hope response is still timely for you, but I purchased this package from Shockwarehouse.

Bilstein B6 4600
24-329064 Front
33-329093 Rear
KYB SM5640 Strut Mount

Best I can recall, compared to when my 2018 was new, the 4600s are maybe slightly firmer than stock by a bit more controlled, particularly less brake dive. I kept the XREAs lines in place and just tapped them off. (Saved a few dollars on labor cost to remove and still have option to go back to the XREAS - for whatever reason.)

Why did you purchase the strut mount? Old ones were no good? Thanks.

 

[[email protected]]

Here is my experience with Bilstein shock. Road wise the 5100 and 6112 offers very similar performance. The difference between the two show up when breaking hard and turning. With the 6112 you will get a little less nose dipping and leaning when turning at high speeds but the trade off is a little more stiffer ride. My 6112 give me a sports car like handling. I can handle high speed turn with ease and a much more cushier ride when going over bumps.

Off-Road you’re going to get better performance from the 6112. This is because the piston size is almost double the size of of the 5100. It’s designed to take much more off-road abuse.

For towing you’re probably better off with the 6112. This is because the bigger size of the 6112 can better handle the weight. If you want a more economical option you can do 5100 in the front and 6112 in the back.

Bilstein also has a new 8,000 series shocks. They are much beefier than the 6112 but I don’t really know much about them other than they are much more expensive.

For the coil springs I don’t think you will need to change them unless you add permanent weight to your bumpers. I added a 140 lb steel bumper to the front of my 4Runner and my front end sagged a little. The front OEM coils have a 650lb rating. I essentially upgraded it to a 700 lb rating with B-12 which is designed to handle a additional 80-140 lb of weight.

If you really want to use Bilstein shocks just call their customer service. Tell them what you want to do and they will guide you to the right product.

I found this link that provides good info on the difference between the 5100 and 6112 5th Gen 4Runner Shootout - Bilstein 5100 vs 6112 Shocks

Providing another experience with 6112 and 5160. Installed mine in mid 2021. My 5160's started leaking after about 4yrs. My 6112's had one of the coils actually break. I piece of the coil about an inch long is missing. Keep in mind that I drive my SR5 as a daily driver. Living in Michigan I'm not surprised to have rust but my Bilstein's are just ugly. Rust and corrosion everywhere. Don't get me wrong, they were a huge improvement in ride over stock, but I didn't plan on another big expense to replace all of them in 4-5 yrs. But I did. This time I used 5100's in the rear and they ride identical to the 5160 for most of my needs. I don't do high speed off-roading. The 6112's rusted so bad at the top that they were seized to the strut towers. I found that marine grease at this interface as well as others, like alignment cams, will save you in the future.

 

[Lexington]

Providing another experience with 6112 and 5160. Installed mine in mid 2021. My 5160's started leaking after about 4yrs. My 6112's had one of the coils actually break. I piece of the coil about an inch long is missing. Keep in mind that I drive my SR5 as a daily driver. Living in Michigan I'm not surprised to have rust but my Bilstein's are just ugly. Rust and corrosion everywhere. Don't get me wrong, they were a huge improvement in ride over stock, but I didn't plan on another big expense to replace all of them in 4-5 yrs. But I did. This time I used 5100's in the rear and they ride identical to the 5160 for most of my needs. I don't do high speed off-roading. The 6112's rusted so bad at the top that they were seized to the strut towers. I found that marine grease at this interface as well as others, like alignment cams, will save you in the future.

Bummer. Sorry to hear that. I take it this is due to salt? I hope you reported it to Bilstein. In California we don’t have to deal with that. Never had any issues with mine.