Bilstein rear shock broke, looking to upgrade rear suspension, need advice!

[aleks77]

I have the Toytec Ultimate Lift kit from about 3 years ago. It has the bilstein rear shocks and superflex 3.75" coils.

I dont have the extended Bilsteins which is probably why it never rode that great, and eventually snapped (see pic below). I found the rear to be pretty bouncy on and off the road. Im happy with the front toytec setup. So im looking to upgrade just the rear shocks and maybe springs if recommended.

Budget wise im thinking $400 for the 2 rear shocks. I mostly do overland trips, zero rock crawling. Lots of highway miles and its also my daily.

Thanks guys!

 

[reelamin]

I have the Toytec Ultimate Lift kit from about 3 years ago. It has the bilstein rear shocks and superflex 3.75" coils.

I dont have the extended Bilsteins which is probably why it never rode that great, and eventually snapped (see pic below). I found the rear to be pretty bouncy on and off the road. Im happy with the front toytec setup. So im looking to upgrade just the rear shocks and maybe springs if recommended.

Budget wise im thinking $400 for the 2 rear shocks. I mostly do overland trips, zero rock crawling. Lots of highway miles and its also my daily.

Thanks guys!

WHAT????? NOT POSSIBLE...BILSTEIN IS THE BEST...THEY SHOULD COVER THIS EASILY UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. PLEASE POST UP HOW IT TURNS OUT FOR YOU.

In the mean time just go buy some decent quality shocks...enjoy the ride and send me the other $300 you don't spend and I'll throw a party for the T4R people who want to come visit.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Oh man, so they were often at max droop? I can see how the constant "topping out" could cause some weird behavior- and definitely result in the breakage. [MENTION=119226]reelamin[/MENTION] you're ridiculous! Even an excellent warranty isn't going to cover something that broke because you selected the wrong length for the application. We all know you hate Bilstein. Cool story [emoji6]
I'm glad you posted this, as I would also be interested in some good rear shocks- at that price point- to pair with my Superflex.
My 5100 were a hair under dampened with the Superflex- in my opinion- but I'm sure they're still the best option for my budget. The 5100 really were nice with the Superflex.
KING would be sweet [emoji41]

 

[3rzrunner]

WHAT????? NOT POSSIBLE...BILSTEIN IS THE BEST...THEY SHOULD COVER THIS EASILY UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. PLEASE POST UP HOW IT TURNS OUT FOR YOU.

In the mean time just go buy some decent quality shocks...enjoy the ride and send me the other $300 you don't spend and I'll throw a party for the T4R people who want to come visit.

I don't know how their warranty worked for you, but i love their warranty, one of my rear shocks was leaking oil so i called them, and they said send all 4 in to be tested, i removed all 4, sent them in thinking they would only replace 1, but turns out they replaced all 4 for free because they said they never recommend changing just 1 shock and apparently there was another one off my truck that failed their test as well. I ended up with 4 brand new shocks and i'm extremely happy with them.

 

[Mudeprived]

I don't know how their warranty worked for you, but i love their warranty, one of my rear shocks was leaking oil so i called them, and they said send all 4 in to be tested, i removed all 4, sent them in thinking they would only replace 1, but turns out they replaced all 4 for free because they said they never recommend changing just 1 shock and apparently there was another one off my truck that failed their test as well. I ended up with 4 brand new shocks and i'm extremely happy with them.

Same here but with my jeep. They replaced all four.

They will likely not warranty the shock in the OP due to it not being the correct length.

 

[bramuno]

Here's what I was running in the rear on my 2000 SR5:

Bilstein Rear 5100 24-249966

OME 906s for your rear springs. These will give approximately 2" lift.

Most likely you ran into issues because you installed incorrect shocks in the rear. Did you install the Tundra 5100s (just guessing based off everything I've seen on this forum)? For some reason a lot of people seem to think you can do this and not run into any issues but it's not a good idea. Stick with the 3rd gen 4Runner shocks. Not only will they fit correctly but they were also tuned for this truck and will ride significantly better.

Also, are you saying you are running a 3.75" lift in the rear? If this is the case and you are running the 4Runner 5100s, this is no surprise you killed these shocks. You are probably topping out like crazy! These shocks are only rated for max 2" lift and using a 3.75" lift spring is not a good idea. If you are running springs that only give up to a 2" lift max, you should be able to warranty these, i'd give it a shot. And it's mine and a lot of other's opinion that running spacers at all is a bad idea. May want to look at getting rid of that toytec spacer lift in the front and just run 5100s without spacers on the highest groove.

If this is your daily driver and you aren't doing any serious (and I mean serious) off-roading, 5100s are the best combo for the money.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

May want to look at getting rid of that toytec spacer lift in the front and just run 5100s without spacers on the highest groove.

Two things:
1- He said he's running the Toytec Ultimate- which are an adjustable coilover with a threaded body.
2- Toytec spacers are actually pre-load spacers, which are effectively identical to adjustable Bilsteins. What you DO NOT want is top plate spacers. Those are what causes over-droop, and are not good on your front end. Toytec uses 1/4-3/8" top plate spacers to gain the 1/2" needed to get to 3" after the 2.5" pre-load spacers.
Just wanted to try to stop the spread of mis-leading info.

 

[liquidnails]

I find that the FJ bilsteins work very well with longer coils. Part number 33-187174.

 

[JayRolla]

If you drive lots of highway go with tokico oem LC rear shocks. They ride great under weight and highway. They also will be the length needed for those coils.

Another recommendation would be lowered bump stops. SS and toytec sells them. I bet your billy's were also over compressing and caused them to blow out. That's the bouncy feeling you had before they failed. With the saved money on shocks you can afford these. Lol.

 

[aleks77]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I have the toytec ultimate coilovers in the front and I'm happy with them. They are set to 2.5" lift, in the rear I have supeflex with 10mm spacers. Usually for weight I have storage platform with fridge, 33" spare, and Rtt when going camping. I never really got the full 3.75" of lift like I expected, and now I think it's because the shocks were limiting it!

I can't seem to find bilstein 5100 extended shocks on toytec site anymore. But I'm gonna also consider other options that were offered in this thread.

I don't do any serious wheeling, and I was thinking of going King shocks in the rear but I doubt I would actually benefit from these as most my miles are highway and "overland" off-roading.

 

[Justin727]

If you drive lots of highway go with tokico oem LC rear shocks. They ride great under weight and highway. They also will be the length needed for those coils.

Another recommendation would be lowered bump stops. SS and toytec sells them. I bet your billy's were also over compressing and caused them to blow out. That's the bouncy feeling you had before they failed. With the saved money on shocks you can afford these. Lol.

This :amen:


Now on my current 3rd gen I did NOT use the OEM Tokico Landcruiser shocks but I did however purchase some cheaper Garbriel shocks for the Landcruiser from O'reillys. They pair up nicely with my build, ride, capability, etc. Also saved some $$ too.

Good luck

 

[sn0wrunner]

:ybrick:

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I find that the FJ bilsteins work very well with longer coils. Part number 33-187174.

These are also the 2" lift shocks for 4th and 5th gen application. They are the shocks I was referring to above. They are also the shocks ToyTec recommended to use with the Superflex before they went to their own brand labeled shocks.

I can't seem to find bilstein 5100 extended shocks on toytec site anymore. But I'm gonna also consider other options that were offered in this thread.



I don't do any serious wheeling, and I was thinking of going King shocks in the rear but I doubt I would actually benefit from these as most my miles are highway and "overland" off-roading.

I think a lot of people are of the same opinion as you, but I believe King can tune them to any driving style/terrain, and you would certainly be able to get a better valves shock from them. Even for highway and overland-style driving. Just my 2 cents.

Here's the shocks you were looking for- that ToyTec no longer sells-
https://wheelersoffroad.com/product...9/bilstein-5100-rear-shock-set-96-02-4runner/

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

Those shocks are the 1996-2002 4Runner-specific 5100 shocks (option 1) and the 2000-2006 Tundra 5100 shocks (option 2), not the 33-187174 meant for the 2003-2009 & 2010-current 4Runners / FJC.

Here's the 5100 33-187174 shocks:
https://downsouthmotorsports.com/i-11654968-bilstein-5100-series-shock-absorber-dia-2-travel-8-59.html#!model%3D4-RUNNER%7C%7Cmake%3DTOYOTA%7C%7Cyear%3D2014

and:
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/RFJ-BIL--Bilstein-5100-Series-Rear-shocks_p_269.html

....Here's the shocks you were looking for- that ToyTec no longer sells-
https://wheelersoffroad.com/product...9/bilstein-5100-rear-shock-set-96-02-4runner/

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Those shocks are the 1996-2002 4Runner-specific 5100 shocks (option 1) and the 2000-2006 Tundra 5100 shocks (option 2), not the 33-187174 meant for the 2003-2009 & 2010-current 4Runners / FJC.

Oh wow, that's interesting. Thanks for that info. That means Wheelers presses out the lower bushing, and sends them to the customer with hourglass bushings in the lower mount- not how Bilstein designed them to be mounted. I'm honestly shocked(lol) that Wheelers does that.
But comparing length specs to the 4th gen/FJ 5100 and Tundra 5100- you're definitely right about that.
Here's the 33-187174 from Wheelers-
https://wheelersoffroad.com/product...38992/bilstein-33-187174-5100-rear-shock-set/

 

[reelamin]

Oh man, so they were often at max droop? I can see how the constant "topping out" could cause some weird behavior- and definitely result in the breakage. [MENTION=119226]reelamin[/MENTION] you're ridiculous! Even an excellent warranty isn't going to cover something that broke because you selected the wrong length for the application. We all know you hate Bilstein. Cool story [emoji6]
I'm glad you posted this, as I would also be interested in some good rear shocks- at that price point- to pair with my Superflex.
My 5100 were a hair under dampened with the Superflex- in my opinion- but I'm sure they're still the best option for my budget. The 5100 really were nice with the Superflex.
KING would be sweet [emoji41]

As much as I hate to admit it your right....I'll STFU about Bilstein...Ive said my piece (multiple times).

 

[aleks77]

I emailed Toytec and they suggested their Boss rear shocks which are good to 3.75" lift, anyone have any experience with these? Only thing that turns me off the LC OEM shocks is that they are not 4runner specific and have to change a bunch of washers to make them work.

Im pretty much narrowed down to these:

- LC OEM Tokico Black rear shocks
- BOSS rear shocks from Toytec
- Bilstein 5100s #33-187174

Here is the link to the BOSS rear shocks:

(2) TT-9602R - Toytec Rear BOSS Shocks - 96-02 4Runner

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

which company engineers and builds the Toytec Boss shocks?

 

[sn0wrunner]

which company engineers and builds the Toytec Boss shocks?

Eibach.

Pretty much the same thing as their "pro truck sport" series. I'm sure they just make toytec custom lengths.
PRO-TRUCK Sport shocks | eibach.com/america

 

[Chim]

I emailed Toytec and they suggested their Boss rear shocks which are good to 3.75" lift, anyone have any experience with these? Only thing that turns me off the LC OEM shocks is that they are not 4runner specific and have to change a bunch of washers to make them work.

Im pretty much narrowed down to these:

- LC OEM Tokico Black rear shocks
- BOSS rear shocks from Toytec
- Bilstein 5100s #33-187174

Here is the link to the BOSS rear shocks:

(2) TT-9602R - Toytec Rear BOSS Shocks - 96-02 4Runner

I had the extended Bilsteins as part of the kit and then when I wrecked, one got bent and I went to replace it and they didn't have them anymore so I got the BOSS and honestly they feel the same to me :/

I will cut you a deal on one good extended bilstein shock