Bilstein 5100s Rough Ride

[Roadtripr]

Look into 6112s? Several people have complained about the stiffness of 5100 and some have switched

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/192772-any-reviews-new-bilstein-6112s-9.html

 

[Chas of MRT]

The 6112 is slightly softer because it has its own coil spring and is a larger shock which can disperse energy better.

Your stock shocks are twintubes, ride great on the street and absorb little pebbles and stuff with ease, but anything over speed bump size and they bottom out / cant control the spring. The monotube Bilstein isnt as precise, but can much better handle impacts and does a better job as a dampener.

I just a set on my daily driver 03 4th gen, 2nd setting from bottom and they ride excellent. So much better than stock. After lifting 1000s of Toyota trucks, I find it extremely hard to believe that someone would find spacers to be a better ride than 5100s but Ive heard pretty much everything...

 

[EthanZ]

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated. I think I will go with the 5100s. Next question: What's the shelf-life on the stock coils? At 123k miles, should they be replaced? If so, what's are some options that won't further stiffen the ride?

 

[RonJR]

You can use this information from the FSM to see if your vehicle is still meeting stock ride height specs. If it is, your old springs are fine. If it's sagged more than a small amount, you might want to change them.

 

[DreamStream5]

Proceed with caution!

Coming from X-REAS system I can confirm the ride is far too rough. Maybe for me it's exaggerated because: 1) my car is 2wd V6, 2) Houston roads are less even than a dirt road, and 3) I kept the stock springs and have it at .85 pitch up front.

By comparison, my IS-F sitting on KW3 coilovers didn't drive nearly this rough, and it was riding pretty low (KWs are monotubes as well). I actually get a sick feeling after driving the 4Runner for 30 minutes! uke:

I'm definitely switching back to stock shocks (non X-REAS) ASAP.

 

[ac1617]

Does anyone have any experience with both the 5100/6112 and the Dobinsons or OME? How do those compare interns of stiffness?

 

[benztech82]

Wow, my truck is mostly highway. Maybe I should get Monroe shocks with fj springs to get a slight lift. I didn't think that so many people have rough ride issues with 5100's. I actually was about to purchase set of billies.

 

[CookieRoe]

This thread doesn't surprise me in the least. I had billies put on (5100) on my former 97 Grand Cherokee and it rode very stiff. Everybody on the jeep forum sang the bilsteins praises. So I went with them. I loved it for about a week until I thought the ride became teeth shattering. After being babied all its life and it continually being an a**hole to me, I had finally had it and traded it. Never again. (Jeep and/or bilsteins)

I have XREAS and had the shocks replaced a few years ago. I love the pillowy ride and "somewhat" stiff cornering they provide, but I'm also aware that these stock WILL die again. After replacing the shocks, most know (or should) that the system must be completely replaced when a second set of XREAS shocks are needed. Screw that.

The only viable alternative, after reading many threads, is just getting KYB shocks for it. I haven't heard anything negative about them, so until I see otherwise, I'll got route when my shock goes (or shocks b/c when 1 goes, the opposite across from it must be replaced as well. Can't have 2 XREAS shocks and the other traditional, so all must be ripped out).

Stupid design. All factory air/hydraulic suspensions are garbage in terms of durability. All of them (doesn't matter what car maker).

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

I ran 5100s on my 01 Silverado before this 4Runner. I could definitely see how people would say it is a "rough ride" although I did have my torsion keys cranked up a bit, and the rear end was obviously leaf springs....It did seem to ride like a caddy whenever I had any amount of weight in the back though. I think that was the key. Even a cooler full of ice and a few passengers made a huge difference in ride quality to me.

I have 5100s for the front suspension on my 4Runner that are yet to be installed. It will be interesting to see how they do especially with the OME 885 springs which are supposed to be kind of stiff from what I've heard.

 

[benztech82]

What about Bilstein 4600's that's considered to be oem "upgrade" from parts suppliers ? Match that with MOOG FJ springs maybe ?

 

[hinmo24t]

...i have them with old man emu coils and think they feel awesome. soaks up everything. i have experience with rough rides too as a former vw gti on two sets of coils (fk coils on second set and i couldnt roll a tennis ball under my car,) and a lowered subaru wrx too. i have had a lifted TJ jeep as well. 5100s and OME coils and the thing feels badass.