Bilstein 5100 thoughts

[Code2]

So after putting them on all the way around and doing a 1500 mile drive on them here are my thoughts.

If you're looking for OEM feel these definitely are not for you. They are STIFF very stiff for that matter.

Highway driving is decent tho hit any kind of pot hole that was filled and you will feel it big time almost to the point it feels like the there isn't shocks on the truck period due to the stiffness

If i had to compare them they are more of a sport car feel. the tires stay planted to to the ground great. Personally i'm in the middle with them my OEM shocks with zero rebound took bumps and potholes smoother and softer then these.

So if you are looking for a smooth OEM feel these are definitely not the ones to get IMO. Now the question to myself is will I keep mine on or buy something a bit softer

 

[birdmann]

Huh. I always thought they were valved a bit better. Any off road shock is gonna be be a bit stiff on the bound. To keep your tire planted. They ain't no kings, but they are also affordable.

 

[S p a r k y]

So after putting them on all the way around and doing a 1500 mile drive on them here are my thoughts.

If you're looking for OEM feel these definitely are not for you. They are STIFF very stiff for that matter.

Highway driving is decent tho hit any kind of pot hole that was filled and you will feel it big time almost to the point it feels like the there isn't shocks on the truck period due to the stiffness

If i had to compare them they are more of a sport car feel. the tires stay planted to to the ground great. Personally i'm in the middle with them my OEM shocks with zero rebound took bumps and potholes smoother and softer then these.

So if you are looking for a smooth OEM feel these are definitely not the ones to get IMO. Now the question to myself is will I keep mine on or buy something a bit softer

So you put these on old springs and expected soft?

 

[wnelax04sr5]

I don't get this....

I've had 5100s on for almost 5k now, at 2.5 with fj coils and icon rear coils, and the ride isn't stiff at all like you say. Firmer than stock absolutely but to the point of "feels like there's no shocks" no way. I don't miss the wallowy floaty body roll and brake diving boat feel I used it have, but I haven't had any of this seriously firm experience you've had

 

[BooRad06]

If you decide they're not for you and want to dump them, let me know and I'll take them off your hands...

 

[Code2]

So you put these on old springs and expected soft?

I didn't expect soft no. Tho hard wasnt expect either. Going to say I might change out the springs to see if that dampens the shock being sent thru the truck as it is noticeably worse than it was with the worn out OEM's on it.

Sorry If i insulted in some way judging how your statement and question are worded just voicing my opinion on them like or not, agree or disagree

 

[S p a r k y]

I didn't expect soft no. Tho hard wasnt expect either. Going to say I might change out the springs to see if that dampens the shock being sent thru the truck as it is noticeably worse than it was with the worn out OEM's on it.

Sorry If i insulted in some way judging how your statement and question are worded just voicing my opinion on them like or not, agree or disagree

Your just the first person we have seen with this opinion, out of the hundreds thousands that have done the swap on here!

 

[t-man]

Not sure if you have done something wrong, or if they were set up wrong, but I put mine on about 3k ago and they are great. My X-REAS was totally blown. Now when I hit potholes any faster than 20 it's like gliding over them. I have been off-road, two-tracks, hill climbing, and going mud bogging today and never had an issue. What kind of tires are you running?
I also removed the sway bars from my truck until winter comes again and it is so soft yet stable it's quite unbelievable. I feel bumps when going slower, but actually only feel the small ones not the big ones. I have even loaded my truck with several hundred pounds of tools, ladders. etc and couldn't even tell all that stuff was in there.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Out of curiosity, can you post a pic of the front shocks installed on the 4runner? As previously stated, they are stiffer then OEM but not in such a way as you are describing.

 

[chompster4runner]

Interesting... I just recently did the front Tacoma coil swap with 5100 set at .85 and stock fj rears. Never had this kind of set up before or any lift. So much improvement in ride quality. Stiff but not jarring. My brother 3rd gen no lift with tokicos rode really stiff like the way you describe yours.

 

[peebee]

Code2,

Please don't take this like people don't believe you. I feel like we have a lot of genuine people on this forum who just want to help solve your problem.

And myself, I plan on making the switch to 5100's soon but don't want an experience like yours. So if we can get to the bottom of it, and find out why you're so dissatisfied, then it will help others going down the same path.

You're one of the few who haven't liked the switch, so there has to be something different going on in your situation.

 

[Code2]

Out of curiosity, can you post a pic of the front shocks installed on the 4runner? As previously stated, they are stiffer then OEM but not in such a way as you are describing.

Both sides set at stock height
Tho i wonder could the shop that swapped the the shocks not have made the springs as compressed as they should be?
At the point it hurts the most is say you have a section where they remove the street to repatch when the tires fall down its fine but when you are coming out of the section its when the tires would be going up when it feels as if there is no dampening or should i say not enough.

I tested last night when i got home from out of town my work truck out and test and boom to hard coming of of it. then i took my 2011 over the same patch and it was smooth and soft as can be. Yes i am aware its going to be softer because they were OEM

Here is the passenger side sorry about the lighting camera was low

Drivers side

 

[Code2]

Your just the first person we have seen with this opinion, out of the hundreds thousands that have done the swap on here!

its all good with as much driving as i do i'm probably more aware of what my truck shouldn't be doing, what sounds, handling and any changes i notice right away.

 

[having fun]

Both sides set at stock height
Tho i wonder could the shop that swapped the the shocks not have made the springs as compressed as they should be?
At the point it hurts the most is say you have a section where they remove the street to repatch when the tires fall down its fine but when you are coming out of the section its when the tires would be going up when it feels as if there is no dampening or should i say not enough.

I tested last night when i got home from out of town my work truck out and test and boom to hard coming of of it. then i took my 2011 over the same patch and it was smooth and soft as can be. Yes i am aware its going to be softer because they were OEM

Here is the passenger side sorry about the lighting camera was low

Drivers side

Everything is right according to your photos.

Your ome will always be softer as you where looking for, as to be close to a cadilac ride you might say. All others struts that are being used on here, will have more of a stiffer setup per say. Your ome springs are also a weak one also as others post will show far amount of sag, as to the reason for factory cadilac ride.

When you do a drop off point of a pot hole will be the softer side, the coming out side will always have a harder bang/feel to it as it is a straight on/upward push on the suspension.

I too always have done above average amount of driving per year than your normal person, with all types of pov rides and commercial rated trucks. The Billies are close to stock with the extra support for long life than stock imo.

 

[ebg18t]

What psi are your tires at?

I did notice when I ran Bilsteins in the past they needed a break in before they were smooth and compliant. But if for some reason this situation exists after a few weeks find someone local with the same setup. Go for a ride with them. Maybe your set just has the wrong valving.

 

[Code2]

What psi are your tires at?

I did notice when I ran Bilsteins in the past they needed a break in before they were smooth and compliant. But if for some reason this situation exists after a few weeks find someone local with the same setup. Go for a ride with them. Maybe your set just has the wrong valving.

34 on psi

Now thats promising to know that there is in fact a break in period. I hope it settles a bit

I shall see what happens in a couple weeks

 

[Greydog]

How many miles do you have on your 4Runner, and have the upper or lower ball joints or especially the tie rods or sway bar bushings been replaced?

The drop into a pot hole feel OK it seems, but the upward/jarring movement out of the pothole is cause your concerns, right ?

As most have stated, the 5100s are a pretty well mannered road shock, though probably more firm than the older shocks you removed. So, perhaps the issue lies elsewhere in the suspension.

Perhaps part of this feel is the wear on other suspension components, which on the 4Runner cause a pretty good level of vibration and harshness.

When my inner/outer tie rods were worn out, replacing them was a pretty big improvement in NVH, etc.

Just a thought.

 

[JB40]

Haven't unboxed my Billies, but on my phone that doesn't look like a lot of compression travel. Do they make these in different lift heights like the do for XJs?

I had an XJ with 5" lift shocks, but 2" lift springs, and it would bottom out over bumps and when that happened there may as well have been no suspension. It would bang loudly and almost throw you flat against the roof.

Not sure if this is possible on a 4R, but it sure doesn't look like a lot of travel to me so maybe others can debunk the "too long shock" theory.

 

[t-man]

Haven't unboxed my Billies, but on my phone that doesn't look like a lot of compression travel. Do they make these in different lift heights like the do for XJs?

I had an XJ with 5" lift shocks, but 2" lift springs, and it would bottom out over bumps and when that happened there may as well have been no suspension. It would bang loudly and almost throw you flat against the roof.

Not sure if this is possible on a 4R, but it sure doesn't look like a lot of travel to me so maybe others can debunk the "too long shock" theory.

Good point, I think I can see some of the shaft on mine when it's sitting flat. I don't see any in his pictures. I'm going to go look at mine in just a few and see if they look different.

EDIT: Looked at mine, must've been confused. They look the same, can only see some of the shaft when lifted off the ground.

 

[Code2]

How many miles do you have on your 4Runner, and have the upper or lower ball joints or especially the tie rods or sway bar bushings been replaced?

The drop into a pot hole feel OK it seems, but the upward/jarring movement out of the pothole is cause your concerns, right ?

As most have stated, the 5100s are a pretty well mannered road shock, though probably more firm than the older shocks you removed. So, perhaps the issue lies elsewhere in the suspension.

Perhaps part of this feel is the wear on other suspension components, which on the 4Runner cause a pretty good level of vibration and harshness.

When my inner/outer tie rods were worn out, replacing them was a pretty big improvement in NVH, etc.

Just a thought.

I was all replaced with in the same week both inner outer, bushings etc. ball joints to