Bilstein 5100's on a non-lifted SR5?

[tacobill]

Curtamous---I'll probably go with the Bilstein twin to the 5100, which has no lift adjustments but the same rate/valving. Glad to hear that Bilsteins did the job for you. Not sure I want to lift and use spacers.....tempted. Your rig looks great!

Listed as:
BE5-H150-H0
BE5-H151-H0 (rear).

 

[vicpick58]

Curtamous---I'll probably go with the Bilstein twin to the 5100, which has no lift adjustments but the same rate/valving. Glad to hear that Bilsteins did the job for you. Not sure I want to lift and use spacers.....tempted. Your rig looks great!

Listed as:
BE5-H150-H0
BE5-H151-H0 (rear).

Thanks for your research Tacobill, I did not even know that these shocks were available. (they don't show on the shock website)

After reading the old post by Arterisk that you dug up, it sounds like these are just what I am looking for too.

When you get them on, let us know what you think of them.

 

[TorontoMike]

Hi Tacobill and Vickick58:

I am contemplating the same thing you are; I note that the model numbers listed - BE5-H150-H0 and BE5-H151-H0 (rear) are actually the HD shocks, and not the 5100 series.

On that note the 5100 series application says they are for a lift of 0 to 2''; I would assume that no lift would be an acceptable application.

Can anyone weigh in on the comparison between the HD and 5100 series for those of us not interested in any lift, but just a firmer on-road ride? Someone quoted a 5% difference in firmness over OEM - I could not find that stat anywhere though.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

[tacobill]

Mike--I was quoted at Turner Motorsports that the HD/5100 series have about 20-25% more firmness than the stock SR5 shocks. The rear HD's have the same firmness as the 5100......that's what Bilstein told the rep at Turner. The fronts should be the same. The reason 5100's help a bit with the "dive" is due to the adjustable height. In the end I decided I wanted a matching set, so I went all 4 HD's.

Getting them installed Wednesday......will report the results.

 

[bluebullet]

Kalispell Toyota installed Bilstein 5100s on my 2011 TE yesterday. Set height at 1.75".
Caster changed from 2.7 to 3.7 degrees during realignment. These are my measurements at each wheel ground to bottom of overfender centered thru hub before and (after):
LF: 34-1/2" (36"), RF: 34-1/4" (36-1/8"), LR: 36-1/2" (36-1/8"), RR: 36-3/8" (36-3/8")

Still running stock Bridgestones at 16K miles.

The rake is gone and the vehicle is now level. I noticed the 1-1/2" increase visually looking at the hood when I first drove it away from the dealership. The ride is busier in that small bumps are picked up and felt probably b/c of the lift caused by spring compression. The steering is not quite as twitchy as before probably b/c of the 1 degree change in caster (hard to tell). Nose dive is reduced 25-50% (seat of pants impression). I did get to test the dive on the drive home. On the way home two bucks decided to stroll across US 93 in front of me. I was doing 70 when I hit the brakes. Not a panic stop but hard braking nontheless. The brake dive is noticeably reduced and I am happy. With KDSS I have never experienced the side to side issues some with SR5s report.

Next step will be Michelin LTX tires with stiffer sidewalls when the stockers wear out.

Cost was $400 for shocks plus installation plus $59 for alignment. I can recommend Kalispell Toyota as a good dealership.

I hope this helps some of you that are concerned about nose dive under braking. It has been a concern to me for over a year. In retrospect Toyota could have dealt with this themselves by installing adjustable shocks at the factory at an additional cost of only $100-200 (est.). I regard it as a safety issue as I lost my "target" fox in the headlights early one morning last fall under hard braking. Problem is now resolved.

 

[jmvar]

I drove a 4th and 5th gen back to back and the nose dive is absolutely noticeable. I want to buy a 5th gen but I won't until I know I have the options to get it to handle like I would like.

I know that tires have a big impact but would like to have more options if I don't feel new tires made a big enough diference. Is there a spring manufacturer out there currently that is making stiffer springs with zero lift for the 5th gen? Can someone provide some links? Like the OP, I am not interested in lifting my future 5th gen.

 

[Stifler]

Look UP ^ Google search bar tells all

 

[jmvar]

Look UP ^ Google search bar tells all

Any suggestions on search terms? I come from the world of 80 series land cruisers and they are called "stock height springs" or "zero lift springs". Searching with those terms along with many others nets no results.

Thanks

 

[Hardrunner]

Lose those marshmellow tires and put some real tires on (stifler side walls). You will notice a big difference. You are unfortunately behind the 8 ball with that SR5 suspension. I couldnt handle the feeling of floating on the road while driving, hence the trail/kdss. Completely different experience.

 

[axxman]

Mike--I was quoted at Turner Motorsports that the HD/5100 series have about 20-25% more firmness than the stock SR5 shocks. The rear HD's have the same firmness as the 5100......that's what Bilstein told the rep at Turner. The fronts should be the same. The reason 5100's help a bit with the "dive" is due to the adjustable height. In the end I decided I wanted a matching set, so I went all 4 HD's.

Getting them installed Wednesday......will report the results.

did you ever have this done?

 

[vicpick58]

I eventually went with the 4600HD shocks and although I am satisfied with their performance, I was disappointed that they did not come with any of the customary new mounting hardware. I ended up having to source the front bushings from somewhere else and reuse the rears.

They do help with the nose dive, does not eliminate it completely, but makes it acceptable. Drives more like a normal vehicle.

If I were to do it again, I would use the 5100s, I have been told that they do come with the mounting hardware.

 

[roscoep]

Bill, final results, pics??

 

[T4Rife]

5100s eliminate nose dive completely, and Stifler is awesome

I went with 1.75 up front. The three settings are stock/.85/1.75.

Nose dive. Is. Gone.

I ended up a little nose high, so I installed two OME 10mm shims on each side when I put in the CoilRite airbag kit. A little extra air on left eliminates the lean.

Oops - I need new tires. 285s on 0mm offset rims. I love the look, and chicks now dig me.

Judge for yourself.

 

[RockyMountainT4R]

Mike--I was quoted at Turner Motorsports that the HD/5100 series have about 20-25% more firmness than the stock SR5 shocks. The rear HD's have the same firmness as the 5100......that's what Bilstein told the rep at Turner. The fronts should be the same. The reason 5100's help a bit with the "dive" is due to the adjustable height. In the end I decided I wanted a matching set, so I went all 4 HD's.

Getting them installed Wednesday......will report the results.

Whatever happened to tacobill?

 

[Seattle206]

After I installed my 5100s the dive went away dramatically and felt noticeably less body roll. 5100s front and rear on stock springs, 2.5" front and 1.5" spacers in rear. Cooper ATP 285 A/T E-load tires.