Ghostrider
Registered User
Looking for feedback on 4600's vs stock struts/shocks. I have 100K on OEM shocks - almost all miles are on road. Feedback seems to be that 4600's are stiffer but is this off road?
Another bilstein 4600 thread - road use
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RedSled
New member
I had them on my 02 and i liked them. They are stiffer than stock, but not overly so. They made handling much better, and if you are not going to lift it they are great.
phattyduck
Elite Member
This. I put them on my 4Runner when it was still my dads many years ago (all stock, just needed shocks). No complaints, slightly stiffer than OEM, but in a good way.
-Charlie
PS. Technically, all 4 corners have shocks - the fronts are just a coilover shock. Of course, many people/places end up calling the front struts anyway...
spoiler900
New member
I have 2 99 4Runners, put the 4600 on one and then put on the other.
Reason was I had 250K on my original ones, then switched to Monroe as I don't off road and do lots of highway. They were TERRIBLE. They were done within 20K miles and car drove very sloppy.
So I slapped on the 4600 and love them. Bought a 2nd 4Runner and put them on that one too so ride would be the same.
I do 99.99% street use but incase you need to go over rougher pavement or maybe a dirt road the 4600 series handles perfect. The 5100 series is for serious off roading which i don't do, 4600 is slightly firmer than stock but not bad you'll be happy
Reason was I had 250K on my original ones, then switched to Monroe as I don't off road and do lots of highway. They were TERRIBLE. They were done within 20K miles and car drove very sloppy.
So I slapped on the 4600 and love them. Bought a 2nd 4Runner and put them on that one too so ride would be the same.
I do 99.99% street use but incase you need to go over rougher pavement or maybe a dirt road the 4600 series handles perfect. The 5100 series is for serious off roading which i don't do, 4600 is slightly firmer than stock but not bad you'll be happy
garn79
New member
ive done a ton of reading on these threads and elsewhere. The only complaint ive heard is stiffer but more I read its for better. 4600 is way to go for stock height with better, firmer handling. while I don't have mine installed, my 4600's just arrived this week along with my rear sway bar bushings.
I will note that at stock height its the rears that get the most rave reviews from 4600 users while the front varies a bit by user/brand.
Update: 4600 rear installed; loosened up slightly after couple days, love the ride, not overly stiff at all imo.
I will note that at stock height its the rears that get the most rave reviews from 4600 users while the front varies a bit by user/brand.
Update: 4600 rear installed; loosened up slightly after couple days, love the ride, not overly stiff at all imo.
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Ghostrider
Registered User
Thanks - do you need a new top plate with Bilsteins or will the stock one from the factory work?
phattyduck
Elite Member
All the factory parts work (other than the top nut, which is included). I believe they come with new bushings for the top too.
-Charlie
Ordering directly from Bilstein I did not get new bushings for my fronts but did for my rears so YMMV
JMat
New member
Like [MENTION=106270]RedSled[/MENTION] and [MENTION=139000]phattyduck[/MENTION] said... I put 4600's all the way around mine and I love the ride, stiffer than stock but in a good way. By the way... My OEM shocks had 320k miles on them.
The fronts do not come with the top bushing either.
The fronts do not come with the top bushing either.
Thebeastlives
New member
The 4600 are great on the 3rd gen. I run the 5100 on my son's 4th gen, my tundra and the wife's 5th gen but they all have leveling kits or lifts on them. The 4600 enable your 3rd gen to handle those unexpected serious deep potholes that you hit at 75 mphs on az or California hwys sometimes and those rutted up fire roads. Now the 4600 don't allow u to handle washboard rutted up dirt roads like the 5100s or allow u to lift your 4 runner but they are great shocks.
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AZ4runner98
New member
The Monroe are terrible!! I also replaced my original ones with Monroe and after 2 years they started making a popping sound and feel horrible on the road. Now I'm looking into the bilstein 4600, my question is would I be able to put a spacer to lift a little bit with the 4600 and stock coil spring? I have stock 15s and I'm wanting to put some 16s maybe 17s later on that's why I ask.
I'm new to 3rd gen 4Rs but this is timely.
I just installed Bilstein 4600s all around. I like them. The bilsteins are a smooth, firm ride. I took it last weekend on dirt roads with washboards and felt it handled itself fine. I do feel that it does not absorb potholes/cracks in roads as well as I would like. It's smooth on the rolling hill stuff.
I bought my 2002 4WD SR5 in October 2021. 167K. Just finished 100% new suspension - bushings, springs, shocks, bearings, etc. Since it's new to me I'm still figuring it all out.
~Jason
I just installed Bilstein 4600s all around. I like them. The bilsteins are a smooth, firm ride. I took it last weekend on dirt roads with washboards and felt it handled itself fine. I do feel that it does not absorb potholes/cracks in roads as well as I would like. It's smooth on the rolling hill stuff.
I bought my 2002 4WD SR5 in October 2021. 167K. Just finished 100% new suspension - bushings, springs, shocks, bearings, etc. Since it's new to me I'm still figuring it all out.
~Jason
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previous owner had installed 4600s on my 99 Limited, but somehow didnt put a bushing between the rear shock eye and the axle. So there was a weird clunk caused by the shock, although it wasn't really the shocks fault. Other than that, they were great. I just put KYB Gas A Justs on mine and its a massive improvement, but again, probably because of the missing bushing.
Ststephen7
New member
Coils for 4600?
Which coils did you use on your 4600's? I am also 99% street driving and having trouble finding a clear answer on which coils to use with 4600's for stock height '98 4wd 4runner. I've been searching the web/posts for days now...
Thank you!
Which coils did you use on your 4600's? I am also 99% street driving and having trouble finding a clear answer on which coils to use with 4600's for stock height '98 4wd 4runner. I've been searching the web/posts for days now...
Thank you!
phattyduck
Elite Member
Stock? Any reason not to use your current springs? Fronts don't sag, generally (unless really rusty or something). Rears may sag, just get new OEM spec coils if that is the case.
-Charlie
Ststephen7
New member
Both front and rear are stupid rusty!
I put '99 tall's in back and I did in fact order up some OEM front springs. I need to drive this every day, so while I was able to do my rear springs and shocks, plus steering rack and front sway bar bushings (so far and I can REALLY feel the difference) I am having the garage up the street to my front coil overs, LBJ's (originals still on) and LCA bushings to just about finish the refresh of the suspension and make it nicer to drive.
Thank you for your thoughts!
