Body roll and bounciness after installing new rear shocks

[4rociousrunner]

So recently (about a week or so ago), I replaced the 2003 oem rear shocks on my 4runner with a pair of 2011 Tacoma TRD Bilstein 4600s. They felt pretty dang good for the first couple of days and they are not showing any signs of leakage, however there is definitely an imbalance between the rear and the front, which still has factory-spec coilovers. The truck has slight body roll around tighter turns and the front feels much stiffer than the rear (I can feel almost every little bump through the steering wheel, which also vibrates often.). It's in need of an alignment, camber and toe in / toe out adjustment as well, but I was curious as to which shock would be best for making the front end softer, like the rear? Currently debating between a 5100 or a 4600, like the rears.


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2003 4Runner SR5
32" Falken Wildpeak AT3/W
1.25" Spidertrax spacers
1.5" Daystar Leveling Kit
Bilstein 4600 Rear Shocks
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[Bluesky 07]

Are your front shocks the originals, and did you replace the rear springs?

FWIW, my fronts are 4600s off a ‘15 Tacoma TRD Offroad and the ride & handling are superb. The 5100 is essentially the same shock (IMO, others disagreej except it’s designed to allow height adjustment.

 

[4rociousrunner]

Are your front shocks the originals, and did you replace the rear springs?

FWIW, my fronts are 4600s off a ‘15 Tacoma TRD Offroad and the ride & handling are superb. The 5100 is essentially the same shock (IMO, others disagreej except it’s designed to allow height adjustment.

Front shocks were recently replaced at a dealer with factory specification shocks (lets be real though, oem SR5 shocks are complete crap); rear shocks are off of a 2011 TRD Tacoma and the rear springs are still stock so i'm thinking they might be a little worn out. I would prefer height adjustability however I will go with 4600s if it means a more balanced ride quality....atm the front feels like a brick and the rear feels soft.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Front shocks were recently replaced at a dealer with factory specification shocks (lets be real though, oem SR5 shocks are complete crap); rear shocks are off of a 2011 TRD Tacoma and the rear springs are still stock so i'm thinking they might be a little worn out. I would prefer height adjustability however I will go with 4600s if it means a more balanced ride quality....atm the front feels like a brick and the rear feels soft.

The ride should be similar up front whether you choose 5100s or 4600s - in other words either should be fine. Since many 4th Gen owners run Bilsteins, maybe you can trade a 6-pack for a ride with someone who has ‘em up front just to get a sense of how they ride. I’ve had mine since last December and couldn’t be happier on or off the pavement. There are videos in my build thread, check out the 2019 Kentucky Toyota Trail Ride for example to see where 4600s will take you.

 

[JLTD]

I'd match 'em up with 4600s in front.

Sounds like the dampening is different between the brands.

 

[4RunnerMexico]

Tacoma shocks are valved to soft for our trucks.....

Get 4600s / 5100s for a 4Runner

 

[Bluesky 07]

Tacoma shocks are valved to soft for our trucks.....

Get 4600s / 5100s for a 4Runner

Here we go again. Sigh...

Seriously, based on what? Somebody else said that too but nobody has any facts on how they’re different. What I & numerous others who have done the swap have is lots of actual experience on road and off that says Taco Billies give a great ride on a 4Runner.

 

[4rociousrunner]

The ride should be similar up front whether you choose 5100s or 4600s - in other words either should be fine. Since many 4th Gen owners run Bilsteins, maybe you can trade a 6-pack for a ride with someone who has ‘em up front just to get a sense of how they ride. I’ve had mine since last December and couldn’t be happier on or off the pavement. There are videos in my build thread, check out the 2019 Kentucky Toyota Trail Ride for example to see where 4600s will take you.

Tacoma shocks are valved to soft for our trucks.....

Get 4600s / 5100s for a 4Runner

Sure they’re soft but not a bad kind of soft. The 5100s and 4600s are valved the same AND 4Runners are built on a Tacoma-based chassis. I don’t see how there’s a difference between the two...if anything the Tacoma’s shocks should be fine since they are supporting a truck bed.

 

[4rociousrunner]

Here we go again. Sigh...

Seriously, based on what? Somebody else said that too but nobody has any facts on how they’re different. What I & numerous others who have done the swap have is lots of actual experience on road and off that says Taco Billies give a great ride on a 4Runner.

They ride nicely, it’s just a matter of how much weight the truck is carrying. Softer shocks tend to handle better under a heavier load. I agree though; Tacoma Bilsteins and 4Runner bilsteins are virtually the same other than having to retrofit the former.

 

[4rociousrunner]

I'd match 'em up with 4600s in front.

Sounds like the dampening is different between the brands.

Yeah I probably will....the front sags a little though....rear has about an inch more lift than the front so I’m kinda drawn towards the height adjustable 5100s too.

 

[firebirdguy]

look into poly sway bar bushings to help with body roll.