Bilstein 4600 vs 5100 vs washboard roads

[Andy42]

I need to get new shocks for my 2004 SR5 V6 4x4 with 105K miles on the clock. I drive a lot of highway miles with a small (1600#) camper trailer in tow. With a totally stock suspension towing at 70-75 mph is very easy and stable and I average 17 mpg. I can really put down the miles with ease and minimal fatigue, and it's important to me to keep it that way. Also, with the trailer attached, the factory rake is cancelled out and the truck sits level, so I am not looking to eliminate the factory rake, it actually works well for me.

So at first thought it seems to me the Bilstein 4600 would be a good shock, but there is one area I would like to improve over the stock performance, and that is driveability on washboard roads (usually without the trailer, but sometimes with it). I don't need the adjustment available with the 5100's but it would be worth the nominal extra cost if they handled washboard surfaces better than the 4600's. I have not seen this discussed before. Anyone have any experience to share, or suggestions?

 

[KidVermicious]

Air down - the trailer too. A 20 PSI tire will do more to improve your washboard experience than any shock.

 

[RPS13]

IMO, if I could do it over again, I'd get 5100 fronts just to raise the ride height 0.8" or whatever it is to the first perch. This gets you off the bump stops in the front on A LOT of hits. It makes a big difference in that respect.

Then I'd get 4600's in the rear. They supposedly have a bit less aggressive damping, and I feel they'd match up with the stock rear springs better.

 

[Andy42]

Update: Finances are tight, and I got a great deal on Bilstein 4600's, so that's what I went with. They are much better on washboard than the OE shocks ever were, even the trailer pulls smoother now. I'll keep the airing down trick in mind but I doubt I would ever do that with trailer trailers, they are too easily damaged when under-inflated (and 20 lbs is severely under-inflated for a trailer tire). Maybe I would try 35 lbs on the trailer.

 

[Joseph_Conrad]

That's good to hear, I've been looking into getting new shocks for awhile now and I'm pretty sure I want the 4600. I just sold my tundy with 4600 and loved the ride. Just curious, where did you purchase and who did your install?

Looks like shock warehouse is about $360 for all 4 and I do see cheaper places but shock warehouse seems easy. My local Indy quoted me closer to 200 per shock...I was shocked!

 

[Andy42]

I got my 4600's on Amazon for $308 including tax (free prime shipping). The install was done by a local independent shop, $335 including alignment.

Here's the links to the shocks on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Bilstein 24188401 Shock: Automotive

Amazon.com: Bilstein 24-186049 Rear Shock for Toyota 4Runner: Automotive (Price has gone up, I only paid $67.49 each for the rear shocks).

 

[Joseph_Conrad]

Thanks for the info, I think you did really well on the price.

 

[T5RUNNER]

Good, you chose correctly. The 4600 and 5100 have exactly the same damping rates. The only difference is the 5100 is longer to allow for lift, but you said you don't care about that.

 

[Andy42]

Good, you chose correctly. The 4600 and 5100 have exactly the same damping rates. The only difference is the 5100 is longer to allow for lift, but you said you don't care about that.

Thanks, that's good to know!