Bilstein 5100 review & Gobi rack in 3 weeks

gago1101

New member
Now it may seem a little weird that I have these 2 in the same thread, but bare with me and you'll know why I wanted these to be together.

First and foremost, I think I may have the record for the fastest Gobi rack order and delivery. I ordered my rack on April 24 and receiver it May 15, that is 3 weeks exactly. No words on how happy I am. The order was through Trail Duty.

Bilstein 5100 lift & review:
front: Bilstein 5100 1.75 inch lift (actual about 2)
rear: sway-a-way rear springs, 1.5 inch lift (actual about 2)

Driving the original 13" Trail w/ KDSS out of the dealer lot, there were a few thing I could feel about the truck's ride and handling. Supple ride, relatively controlled but evident body roll, significant nose dive on hard braking, and an obvious understeer in corners. When swapping the rear springs to SAW and the front shocks to the Bilsteins, the whole ride had changed. The SUV now rode like a light truck, significantly harsher and bouncy, especially at the rear. On the bright side though, 2 things happened: I felt like I was in a BMW X5, minimum to non-existant body roll, nose dive eliminated by about 80%, and more importantly, only slight to no understeer in corners. the truck felt more neutral in corners and wanted to be driven harder. Overall happy with the result, although my wife was disappointed with the ride quality.

Now this is where Gobi comes to play. I received my rack 3 days ago and installed it yesterday. I finalized it with the ladder installation today.

The shockers comes with the change in the ride with the Gobi rack on top. The harshness is essentially eliminated, which is not bad. However, the weight of the rack has changed the center of gravity to such an extreme that the truck feels really unstable with significant body roll in corners, and worse instead of confidence it inspires fear, I am not kidding.

The truck looks awesome with the rack on top, and I wouldn't want it any other way, but anyone else have noticed a change in handling with the rack on top? I am glad I had the suspension mods. I would definitely not recommend the rack without any suspension changes, it could make the ride down right dangerous.

Here are some quick shots I took after the ladder install today



 
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The shockers comes with the change in the ride with the Gobi rack on top. The harshness is essentially eliminated, which is not bad. However, the weight of the rack has changed the center of gravity to such an extreme that the truck feels really unstable with significant body roll in corners, and worse instead of confidence it inspires fear, I am not kidding.

Your 4Runner does look really good!

As far as your statement above, well, I think you have a vivid imagination.:tape2:
 
"I would definitely not recommend the rack without any suspension changes, it could make the ride down right dangerous"

I had my Gobi for over 7 months without any suspension changes, and never felt that was ever the case...not once...and I commute about 90 miles a day on a mountainous parkway doing at least 70 the whole way..in fairness I do have E load tires on...

Maybe it's your KDSS...

Truck looks good btw...good luck with it.
 
Now it may seem a little weird that I have these 2 in the same thread, but bare with me and you'll know why I wanted these to be together.

First and foremost, I think I may have the record for the fastest Gobi rack order and delivery. I ordered my rack on April 24 and receiver it May 15, that is 3 weeks exactly. No words on how happy I am. The order was through Trail Duty.

Bilstein 5100 lift & review:
front: Bilstein 5100 1.75 inch lift (actual about 2)
rear: sway-a-way rear springs, 1.5 inch lift (actual about 2)

Driving the original 13" Trail w/ KDSS out of the dealer lot, there were a few thing I could feel about the truck's ride and handling. Supple ride, relatively controlled but evident body roll, significant nose dive on hard braking, and an obvious understeer in corners. When swapping the rear springs to SAW and the front shocks to the Bilsteins, the whole ride had changed. The SUV now rode like a light truck, significantly harsher and bouncy, especially at the rear. On the bright side though, 2 things happened: I felt like I was in a BMW X5, minimum to non-existant body roll, nose dive eliminated by about 80%, and more importantly, only slight to no understeer in corners. the truck felt more neutral in corners and wanted to be driven harder. Overall happy with the result, although my wife was disappointed with the ride quality.

Now this is where Gobi comes to play. I received my rack 3 days ago and installed it yesterday. I finalized it with the ladder installation today.

The shockers comes with the change in the ride with the Gobi rack on top. The harshness is essentially eliminated, which is not bad. However, the weight of the rack has changed the center of gravity to such an extreme that the truck feels really unstable with significant body roll in corners, and worse instead of confidence it inspires fear, I am not kidding.

The truck looks awesome with the rack on top, and I wouldn't want it any other way, but anyone else have noticed a change in handling with the rack on top? I am glad I had the suspension mods. I would definitely not recommend the rack without any suspension changes, it could make the ride down right dangerous.

Here are some quick shots I took after the ladder install today




I think you are full of sh!t. I did some quick math this morning and guess what? For a vehicle this size you and your wife and a little luggage change the "CG" more than the rack! Even then we are talking a few millimeters. Hmmmm....
 
I think you are full of sh!t. I did some quick math this morning and guess what? For a vehicle this size you and your wife and a little luggage change the "CG" more than the rack! Even then we are talking a few millimeters. Hmmmm....

Tell us how you really feel.
 
Tell us how you really feel.

He always does!

I think you are full of sh!t. I did some quick math this morning and guess what? For a vehicle this size you and your wife and a little luggage change the "CG" more than the rack! Even then we are talking a few millimeters. Hmmmm....

For the record- the powers that be finally decided we are old enough to type the word "shit". Just clearing that up for ya...
 
It seems my statement hurt some feelings. In terms of my imagination, it is vivid. But one would also have vivid agitation thinking you will not affect handling when you are lifting you car and adding 150 lbs to the roof.
 
It seems my statement hurt some feelings. In terms of my imagination, it is vivid. But one would also have vivid agitation thinking you will not affect handling when you are lifting you car and adding 150 lbs to the roof.

There goes that vivid imagination again! The rack weighs 70lbs.

I have no beef with you gago- just pointing out the facts.
 
There goes that vivid imagination again! The rack weighs 70lbs.
I have no beef with you gago- just pointing out the facts.

No beef here either Antman!

You are right it is 70 lbs, but it is significant nonetheless. Just to be clear, I didn't even think about the weight until driving the car and noticing the difference. I am sure I will get used to it after a week, and it would seem normal. Also, not a lot of people toss this thing around corners hard to notice anything anyway.

I also wish people realize this is a forum to share a learn things and not to disrespect members.
 
Yeah! I was in Chicago this week and saw my first "in-person" Panamera.

White. Gorgeous. I pointed it out to my wife, who is not a car person, and she said "wow".

It took seeing one in-person before liking it myself... Initial thoughts were wtf Porsche!!! Now I'm a huge fan.
 
No beef here either Antman!

You are right it is 70 lbs, but it is significant nonetheless. Just to be clear, I didn't even think about the weight until driving the car and noticing the difference. I am sure I will get used to it after a week, and it would seem normal. Also, not a lot of people toss this thing around corners hard to notice anything anyway.

I also wish people realize this is a forum to share a learn things and not to disrespect members.

If you flip it around and look at it from the other perspective it would seem disrespectful to come here and share misleading facts too...I mean what if a prospective Gobi rack buyer found this thread and decided that they rather not risk flipping their 4runner over? The other 99% of the Gobi rack owners will be mad at you :rockthrow:
 
I don't think it's the weight distribution that's changed, but the aerodynamics. I did notice a slight change in the aerodynamics of my 4Runner with the addition of the Gobi Rack, particularly in the wind. I cross a windy dam on my daily commute, and I can feel an extra push on the vehicle with the Gobi Rack. I disagree though that the Gobi Rack makes the vehicle dangerous - even with my 60" Hi Lift mounted to the rack!

I've also added a lot of weight to the vehicle, primarily low on the frame, which helps keep the vehicle planted. I've removed the rear sway bar and added stiff coilovers, and it performs admirably at high speed cornering.
 
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Tell me about your last banning experience? :caked:

They allowed it (shit).

Way I figure it, I'm just following the rules. Then again, that's exactly how it happened the first time.

I get banned again, I won't be back.:baby:
 

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