FJ Red Bilstein Off Road in 4th Gen

[Bkt4runner]

Can someone tell how smooth the ride is for daily commuting? I am talking about the red Bilstein Off Road shocks that comes on the 2007-09 FJ Cruiser

Toyota TRD FJ Cruiser Front Offroad Strut Absorbers Genuine OE OEM | eBay

These are suppose to be 40mm wide and will fit on a 4th V8 4Runner without any modifications. Do these allow you to be at stock height? The most I am willing to raise my car is 1”. No more than 1”.

 

[schwein]

If these are anything like the regular 5100's you can get for like 300 bucks (front and back) then they are great for daily driving. I will say i think the springs you match them with will play a similar role to the shocks themselves.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I can’t imagine those being anything other than 5100s painted red. The problem here is that ride quality is subjective. If you want to know how you will like them, see if there’s an FJ club near you. I’m sure someone running these would let you ride shotgun for a few miles and then you’ll know for sure.

FWIW, my truck is on TRD 4600s off a 2015 Tacoma, which are essentially 5100s without the height adjustment feature, and I would call the ride “smoothly truckish.” I love them on and off the pavement.

 

[riceandpho]

i think those are the bilstien 4600, you can see there is no adjustable lift.

like others have said, you can get 4600 for 100 less than 5100(360), only difference is that 4600 is not going to lift, 5100 can lift. some stay with .85 setting, some go all out.

on 5th gen , i see that the driver side is 1 clip setting higher than the passenger side. most of us just use same clip setting for both sides.

if you want to source out new springs, you should.

there is another guy here that sells dobinsons, pretty good stuff from what i see. contact them for a quote.

 

[schwein]

I would definitely replace the springs if you're replacing the struts. I used 2016 5th Gen 4Runner springs got them as take offs of a new 4Runner.

 

[blackjackck]

I would agree with [MENTION=114846]Bluesky 07[/MENTION] that the ride is subjective. I took off the XREAS and installed the (silver) FJ trail team shocks and coil for both front and back. Got about 1 in lift and the ride is more truck like than a SUV. I also second the replace the shocks you should replace the coils.

Comparing the ride with other SUV we've owned, 08 Honda pilot - felt more like a car as its soft and cushioning. Do not feel the road bumps at all. 13' GX460 stiffer than the Pilot but not as stiff as my 4runner.

hope that helps some.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I would definitely replace the springs if you're replacing the struts. I used 2016 5th Gen 4Runner springs got them as take offs of a new 4Runner.

This. I think a lot of people who are disappointed and think they got the wrong shocks simply failed to consider how important it is to also replace the coils. Springs wear out like anything else and any 4th Gen is riding on metal that has at least 10 years of carrying around a 4,500 lb. SUV on its resume. Springs are relatively cheap too so IMO go all or go none.