Bilstein 5100 vs 6112 for daily driver

[inscarguy]

Hi all. I am replacing the xreas in my 08 4runner. I currently have the 6112 and 5160s in my 06 and i like the ride, handling etc.. with it. I was just wondering if its overkill for both being non off road vehicles. Would the 5100s with t1 and t12s be a better choice for the 08? Obviously the 5100s are much cheaper even with the springs. Is there that much of a difference? I just dont want to put the 5100s in and not be happy with the outcome.

 

[81runner]

I can't tell you anything about the 6112/5160s in terms of 'is it overkill', I figure if you like the ride on the v8, you'll likely like it on the v6 with lighter springs. I have 5100s in my 07, and I love them. They feel terrific on pavement, and they are decent off road as well, IMHO

 

[ktom3001]

Hi all. I am replacing the xreas in my 08 4runner. I currently have the 6112 and 5160s in my 06 and i like the ride, handling etc.. with it. I was just wondering if its overkill for both being non off road vehicles. Would the 5100s with t1 and t12s be a better choice for the 08? Obviously the 5100s are much cheaper even with the springs. Is there that much of a difference? I just dont want to put the 5100s in and not be happy with the outcome.

I hated the ride with 5100's on my v6 4runner. It was awful on small bumps and chatter, then it would blow through the travel on big stuff like speed bumps. I've heard the 6100's are a big improvement.

 

[CookieRoe]

I hated the ride with 5100's on my v6 4runner. It was awful on small bumps and chatter, then it would blow through the travel on big stuff like speed bumps. I've heard the 6100's are a big improvement.

That's interesting. I always though the 6100s were firmer.

I echo the 5100 being too stiff. I had them on my Jeep years ago and I hated them. Way too stiff. GREAT for handling, but just too stiff for me.

 

[Bumbo]

The 6112 is noticeably nicer to drive on than the 5100, even on a pavement pounder…

One would think that it might be overkill if you don’t intend on off-roading, but I think it’s still worth it if you can afford to spend more, because you get more. It’s certainly a much more affordable than the typical 2.5” Fox/King/Icon options, so it makes a really nice middle ground for those who want some of those large body characteristics without the price tag.

It’s hard to explain, but it’s just smoother in operation, well damped. I think the larger diameter, more oil, larger valving create a lower internal operation pressure which tends to smooth things out. At least that’s how I understand it.

I just wish they made something similar for the rear in the same diameter… I am still running a 5100 back there.

 

[CookieRoe]

LOL, tough to get straight answers for those of us who do not off road and mod our rides to do so.

Feedback is appreciated though

 

[Bumbo]

LOL, tough to get straight answers for those of us who do not off road and mod our rides to do so.

Feedback is appreciated though

I off-road and mod my truck for it, but still have to drive on road to my destinations.

I certainly think there is such a thing as overkill in the city, but from my experience that isn't the 6112.

 

[phatcheeks]

Try out the Eibach. People say they are smoother than the 5100s. I cant compare since I only have Eibach

 

[inscarguy]

The 6112s definitely ride nice. Ive never had the 5100s and i have heard good and bad from them. The ususal complaint is how stiff they are. This is a DD, it carries people, and goes on long rides. I do not want to be banging my teeth together while driving.

 

[Bumbo]

I really don’t think the 5100s are that stiff personally… but they are stiffer than usual.

I actually don’t mind the way they drive when the road is smooth, freeway and general handling. Its highspeed compression where they tend to be not as pleasant. Off-road on a washboard road they tend to be a bit “chattery” where my 6112 is way smoother.

Tires make a high impact to perceived smoothness too… E load with a 5100 is terrible, E load with 6112 felt a lot better. 5100 with a P metric felt pretty good to be honest, but P metric with 6112 was like driving on a cloud.

Just something to think about before you start throwing coin at suspension to improve your city drive.

 

[inscarguy]

Try out the Eibach. People say they are smoother than the 5100s. I cant compare since I only have Eibach

I was looking into Eibach but from what i saw the part number was the same but some showed with rear coils and some without. Also most of the complaints with them was the fronts were nose high. I have a 2.5, 1.5 daystar now and wanted to stay there or even very little higher. I was concerned with the 1.0 lift Eibach says the rear would be lifted.

 

[inscarguy]

I really don’t think the 5100s are that stiff personally… but they are stiffer than usual.

I actually don’t mind the way they drive when the road is smooth, freeway and general handling. Its highspeed compression where they tend to be not as pleasant. Off-road on a washboard road they tend to be a bit “chattery” where my 6112 is way smoother.

Tires make a high impact to perceived smoothness too… E load with a 5100 is terrible, E load with 6112 felt a lot better. 5100 with a P metric felt pretty good to be honest, but P metric with 6112 was like driving on a cloud.

Just something to think about before you start throwing coin at suspension to improve your city drive.

I dont have e rated tires anymore (bfg all terrains) went to Michelin defenders. it is much better on gas now too.

 

[Bumbo]

I dont have e rated tires anymore (bfg all terrains) went to Michelin defenders.

That is a great tire.

 

[Bumbo]

Try out the Eibach. People say they are smoother than the 5100s. I cant compare since I only have Eibach

I haven't tried it but good recommendation. It’s probably a pretty nice setup and more than adequate for city. Valving would allow for a smoother ride too if its more open than the 5100.

That said, there is a reason people make bigger diameter shocks, and I just don’t think a small body can ever replicate that feeling/characteristic.

It’s like that saying… there is no replacement for displacement. I think it matters a lot more off-road than on, but after getting a taste of it on a mid-level shock, I can’t help but want more of it.

 

[phatcheeks]

I was looking into Eibach but from what i saw the part number was the same but some showed with rear coils and some without. Also most of the complaints with them was the fronts were nose high. I have a 2.5, 1.5 daystar now and wanted to stay there or even very little higher. I was concerned with the 1.0 lift Eibach says the rear would be lifted.

Yeah I saw the nose high stuff too. thats why i didnt buy the kit. Just bought the shocks. I paired them with OME springs and got a good lift.

 

[Keros]

As far as I know, and hopefully someone can chime in here if I'm wrong (which seems to be a theme these days, lol); the 6112 is as "high-end" as one can get, in terms of shock diameter, oil volume, and sheer girth of housing, while still retaining the rubber upper pillow ball mount.

Anything chunkier has a spherical bearing at the top that gets all squeaky all the time, and people can generally grow to hate easily. But slamming a truck off dunes and rocks obliterates the pillow ball and allows the shock to have some play, killing the shock.

So, one takes the good with the bad...

If I recall, the 6112s and 5160s are rebuildable, so the valving could be changed to match driving habits and spring rates (obviously by an authorized Bilstein dealer that understands how to design shock valving). And of course, if you wore them out you could just have them rebuilt for less than a new set... if you can stand the downtime.

The 6112 and 5160 combo isn't the best bang for the buck... but I think they're the most bang for a daily driver: the only downside to them is cost, as they have all the features needed for light/medium use.

I did alot of reading and highway/winter use and the spherical bearings on high-end shocks are not a great combo... and every squeak drives me CRAZY! So I wanted the OEM style upper pillow ball.

Hope that helps.

 

[inscarguy]

Thanks for all the replies. I pulled the trigger on another set of 6112s. Got them from battle born off road for a real good price. I just hope I do not go through what i went through last time.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Thanks for all the replies. I pulled the trigger on another set of 6112s. Got them from battle born off road for a real good price. I just hope I do not go through what i went through last time.

I got mine through battleborn as well. I'm hoping that I am pleased with the ride offered. He tossed in the 650 springs since I have the v8 as well. They should ship this week according to him.

On the 5100s I ran them on my 98 and I still love the ride. Way smoother than the stock 4th gen. Firm but forgiving I guess I would call it and it's a Cadillac off road. I'm hoping I get a similar ride on the 6112 with the heavier body.

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[royal T4R]

I got mine through battleborn as well. I'm hoping that I am pleased with the ride offered. He tossed in the 650 springs since I have the v8 as well. They should ship this week according to him.

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My V8 with a plate bumper was not heavy enough for a comfortable ride with the 5100s and the OME886 which have a 650lbs spring load.

I hope the coils that are being sent aren't too stiff.



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[inscarguy]

I Have the 650lbs springs on my 06 with the 6112s and the ride is really good. I also have the v8 in the 06.