Bilstein 5100 vs 6112

[ClemsonYota]

So I've narrowed down my lift choices to these two products. I understand the 6112 is essentially the same shock in the TRD Pro. For someone who doesn't wheel their truck hardcore and only goes off road 5% of the time, does it make sense for me to spend the extra money on these ? Do they ride better than the 5100?

Also, can someone tell me the cheapest place to purchase the 5100?

 

[itzkevin]

So I've narrowed down my lift choices to these two products. I understand the 6112 is essentially the same shock in the TRD Pro. For someone who doesn't wheel their truck hardcore and only goes off road 5% of the time, does it make sense for me to spend the extra money on these ? Do they ride better than the 5100?

Also, can someone tell me the cheapest place to purchase the 5100?

Can't tell you which one is better since I'm still a newbie, but so far this place has the cheapest set of the 5100s i think so far..

4Runner5thGen5100Set - Bilstein 5100 Complete SET - Total Automotive Performance - Your Source for Auto Parts and Accessories

 

[08runnertjb]

I've had both. Currently still running the adjustable 6112s now for about 20K miles. The 6112s are a little better than the 5100s any every aspect with all the same benefits of reduced nose dive and body roll and better dampening at speed. The benefit IMHO is the that they are adjustable compared to the TRD PRO 6112s.

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[arehman11]

I've had both. Currently still running the adjustable 6112s now for about 20K miles. The 6112s are a little better than the 5100s any every aspect with all the same benefits of reduced nose dive and body roll and better dampening at speed. The benefit IMHO is the that they are adjustable compared to the TRD PRO 6112s.

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Are you running 5100's or 5160's in the rear? And if you are on 5100's in the rear, any downsides?

 

[08runnertjb]

5100s in rear still. I haven't run 5160s but their initial entry into the market revealed alot of failures and no warranty like on the 5100s. To me it wasn't worth the cost. Thst said, they've been out for a couple years now and may have improved greatly.

I've had no issues with 5100s in rear and 6112s in front.

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[08runnertjb]

Btw, running toytec Superflex coils in rear.

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[ClemsonYota]

I've had both. Currently still running the adjustable 6112s now for about 20K miles. The 6112s are a little better than the 5100s any every aspect with all the same benefits of reduced nose dive and body roll and better dampening at speed. The benefit IMHO is the that they are adjustable compared to the TRD PRO 6112s.

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So is the on the road ride quality better with the 6112?

I plan on setting the fronts at .85 with either the 5100 or 6112. Stock rear.

 

[Saker]

So I've narrowed down my lift choices to these two products. I understand the 6112 is essentially the same shock in the TRD Pro. For someone who doesn't wheel their truck hardcore and only goes off road 5% of the time, does it make sense for me to spend the extra money on these ? Do they ride better than the 5100?

Also, can someone tell me the cheapest place to purchase the 5100?

Please don't take this as being condescending in any way. This is to get the facts straight on the shocks/coilovers.
The 6112 is not the same shock as the TRD Pro shocks. The obvious is the circlip grooves for multiple adjustments, the coils are different in weights & the valving in the 6112s are not digressive as in the TRD Pro suspension.

Never owned the 5100s, but I've read on the forums the 5100s have a harsher ride.

I've had both. Currently still running the adjustable 6112s now for about 20K miles. The 6112s are a little better than the 5100s any every aspect with all the same benefits of reduced nose dive and body roll and better dampening at speed. The benefit IMHO is the that they are adjustable compared to the TRD PRO 6112s.

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From what I have read comparing the 5100s vs 6112s, I would have to agree.

The only this is, there is no such thing as TRD Pro 6112s.
The TRD Pro shocks/coilovers are not the same...even though they are similar in appearance.

 

[ClemsonYota]

Please don't take this as being condescending in any way. This is to get the facts straight on the shocks/coilovers.
The 6112 is not the same shock as the TRD Pro shocks. The obvious is the circlip grooves for multiple adjustments, the coils are different in weights & the valving in the 6112s are not digressive as in the TRD Pro suspension.

Never owned the 5100s, but I've read on the forums the 5100s have a harsher ride.




From what I have read comparing the 5100s vs 6112s, I would have to agree.

The only this is, there is no such thing as TRD Pro 6112s.
The TRD Pro shocks/coilovers are not the same...even though they are similar in appearance.

So do you have the 6112? Would you recommend them for a pavement queen/daily driver ?

 

[08runnertjb]

thanks for the clarification on the 6112s vs. the TRDP front coilovers. And to the OP and others, I would say that the ride in the 6112s is significant improvement over the 5100s for daily driving and mild off road use; and I am running a hidden winch as well. Not Fox, King, Icon quality, but for under a grand, and you don't have to rebuild them, I am happy. If/when I do upgrade, it'll be to OME to accommodate more weight in front and/or rear as I consider bumper upgrades.

 

[ShaunStiffler]

6112/5100 showed up yesterday! Most reviews I've read said this setup if similar to stock rise but definitely better. The 6112 will have improved dampening over front 5100. You should know that for 2x4 models, there is only 1 lift setting which is 2.5".


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[Simpleman74]

not enough benefit to justify the additional cost over the 5100s.... they both are great daily driver/mild off road shocks.

 

[ShaunStiffler]

Can't tell you which one is better since I'm still a newbie, but so far this place has the cheapest set of the 5100s i think so far..

4Runner5thGen5100Set - Bilstein 5100 Complete SET - Total Automotive Performance - Your Source for Auto Parts and Accessories

Yes, their set of 5100s is at a good price. If you're going with front 6112s, their prices can easily be beaten by a simple google search!

 

[Saker]

So do you have the 6112? Would you recommend them for a pavement queen/daily driver ?

Yes.

 

[Presa Canario]

Everyone constantly asks "are these better than stock ride quality?" This all depends on what you are looking to improve over the stock ride. If it's just nose dive and body roll, yes these are better (6112's). If you are referring to the overall smoothness and "Cadillac" feel driving down the highway, NO these are not in any way or form an improvement over stock. If you think otherwise you are in an extreme state of denial. It's all a matter of compromise. What do you feel is more important.

 

[RUNTHAT]

Everyone constantly asks "are these better than stock ride quality?" This all depends on what you are looking to improve over the stock ride. If it's just nose dive and body roll, yes these are better (6112's). If you are referring to the overall smoothness and "Cadillac" feel driving down the highway, NO these are not in any way or form an improvement over stock. If you think otherwise you are in an extreme state of denial. It's all a matter of compromise. What do you feel is more important.

It also depends on how you are defining "better ride quality". Upgraded dampers will definitely make the the ride more compliant. I personally prefer the improvement of the overall behavior of the suspension VS a smooth Cadillac feel. Albeit, my only experience is my KDSS equipped Trail, and my BFFs TRDPro. Let me tell you, the TRDPro offers a good package out the box. The TRDPro handles the road much smoother than my TE w/KDSS, but I would describe it in a sporty way VS Cadillac cushy. Much like putting a good set of dampers on a car; if that makes any sense.

Furthermore, the OP states that he will be driving off road 5% of the time. That's a lot of off road miles. Definitely go with the upgrade. :cheers:

 

[Bumbo]

I have had the 5100 and 6112 on my 4Runner and can tell the 6112 was just a better shock in all aspects.

Even as a pavement princess the 6112 experience was better. Driving in and over pot holes, uneven pavement, speed bumps, entering/existing driveways at an angle at speed... the 6112 felt better. Overall they were just smoother, less noise during fast compression cycles like speed bumps at speed, and just felt well damped with good control.

If you can afford it, you are not giving anything up except some coin.

The 5100 is still my budget shock of choice, I use it all the time, but the 6112 gets you a large body shock without the traditional large body price tag... it's about as close to a 2.5" King/Fox/ICON feel you can get without actually going there.

It really is a middle-ground for someone who wants more than just a regular shock. The increase in shock diameter is where the money is... and you can't replicate that with a small body. There is no replacement for displacement.

 

[Decipher]

Interesting take, Bumbo. You can't argue with that logic and the large body shock. I probably would have gone that way myself had I not been swayed by the pile of good experience with the 5100s.

So, OP, the shear volume of people who are reporting positive experience with the 5100s is overwhelming. They've been proven to be a great option and with what sounds like minimum off roading for you, is not an option you should rule out. If the cost difference isn't an issue for you, why not buy the higher quality unit? If price is a limiting factor, go with the 5100s and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

For me, the difference between the stock setup with 85,000 miles on them and the 5100s was night and day. My rig literally floats over bumps and railroad tracks. It off-roads well for what I do. I have zero issues or concerns with how it drives on the highway. Had I heard the argument for the 6112s I might have gone that route but I have no regrets with the 5100s


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[philsey]

OK, here's what puzzles me: Evidently the 6112 is a firmer, larger shock than the 5100. Yet it seems owners are mixing the two, front 6112 and back 5100.

Somehow this seems contradictory to me ... and that you would want shocks with the same attributes all around.

Comments?

 

[TEujunga]

OK, here's what puzzles me: Evidently the 6112 is a firmer, larger shock than the 5100. Yet it seems owners are mixing the two, front 6112 and back 5100.

Somehow this seems contradictory to me ... and that you would want shocks with the same attributes all around.

Comments?

In an application like the T4R, the reasons to stick with the same shock design front to rear are more theoretical than practical. Incremental differences in shock valving do not translate to significant differences in ride and handling balance.

Any huge difference in ride/handling people perceive between the 5100 (front) and the 6112, or between the 5100 (rear) and the 5160, is likely in their heads. Whichever one they bought is the one they're likely to perceive as "better."

Getting all fussy about minor suspension tuning refinements in a BOF off-road truck is a wasted effort, IMO. Its handling traits will remain basically similar over a pretty broad range of shock absorber designs.