FJ Shocks

[gfluff]

5100 Bils vs Stock (TRD or TT or ?) silver/blue FJ Bils.

Valving? Collapsed/extended lengths?

I get that the 5100 Fronts are adjustable height, but that is essentially just spring preloading. I guess I'm more concerned with the extended lengths of the 5100s vs these, as I'd hate to save a few pennies and loose some potential shock travel. Anyone know these specs? Pretty nifty deal on CL near me for 4...

 

[ebg18t]

I remember seeing a post on the FJ forums about the lengths of the 5100 vs the FJ oem shocks. Might be worth searching there.

 

[zopperman]

This whole "preloading" this is a common misconception.

See this post:

I talked to someone at toytec about this for a while. Think about it, when you move the perch up, you are compressing the spring, but then the whole height of the truck moves up too so the spring rate isn't changed

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq-63.html#post1548710

 

[gfluff]

I remember seeing a post on the FJ forums about the lengths of the 5100 vs the FJ oem shocks. Might be worth searching there.

Tried looking there a little, but wasn't having much luck. I figured going to the FJ site would be the best option for the info, but it was late/I was tired/struck out!!!!

 

[gfluff]

This whole "preloading" this is a common misconception.

See this post:

I talked to someone at toytec about this for a while. Think about it, when you move the perch up, you are compressing the spring, but then the whole height of the truck moves up too so the spring rate isn't changed

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq-63.html#post1548710

I don't mean "preloading" in a bad way, but if I could put a $40 "under the top mount" spacer on the TT shocks with my taco springs, I'd be interested, if there are no differences in extended lengths...

 

[gfluff]

Just got off the phone with Bilstein, and the front 5100s have like .3 more inches of droop, which translates to a little more at the wheel--maybe half an inch? The rears are almost an inch longer, so almost 2 extra inches of droop. I like my droop droopy. I guess I'll pass on the TTs....

 

[lj4r]

were those FJ shocks off of a four-wheel drive or two-wheel drive? Or does it matter on the shocks? Is it just the springs that matter? Phil

 

[gfluff]

dunno. but they were still available as of this morning...

 

[gfluff]

looky what I stumbled on:

difference in mounting points is really minor, doesn't actually look like a full inch in this pic...

 

[zopperman]

looky what I stumbled on:

difference in mounting points is really minor, doesn't actually look like a full inch in this pic...

Are all 4 shocks fully compressed?

 

[gfluff]

Looks more like they're fully extended?
I didn't buy them, I just found a pic online of the 2 side by side for comparison. 5100s look a little less than an inch longer than TT FJ Bils. A touch less droop to be had with the TTs.

 

[zopperman]

Looks more like they're fully extended?
I didn't buy them, I just found a pic online of the 2 side by side for comparison. 5100s look a little less than an inch longer than TT FJ Bils. A touch less droop to be had with the TTs.

point is you can't tell exactly how extended the shock is... I'd go with what bilstein told you.

 

[gfluff]

YEah, I'm holding out for 5100s until after xmas. I have problems with patience, I want them now... I was hoping the FJ's were a cheaper alternative, but I'm gonna actually wait it out. 4 FJ TTs for $100 isn't a bad deal though...

 

[zopperman]

YEah, I'm holding out for 5100s until after xmas. I have problems with patience, I want them now... I was hoping the FJ's were a cheaper alternative, but I'm gonna actually wait it out. 4 FJ TTs for $100 isn't a bad deal though...

For an extra 200 you can get what you want.

Do it once, do it right, make yourself happy, it will save you money in the long run.

Ask me how I know...

 

[kkz]

What's your budget? What kind of off roading do you like? Function or fashion lift? There's a lot of fast wheeling to be done in so cal, in that situation, spend a little more, get a lot more. I'm curious why you're interested in shock performance, but you're looking at an oem shock.

 

[gfluff]

What's your budget? What kind of off roading do you like? Function or fashion lift? There's a lot of fast wheeling to be done in so cal, in that situation, spend a little more, get a lot more. I'm curious why you're interested in shock performance, but you're looking at an oem shock.

My budget is 5100s. I was curious as to the difference of the TTs vs the 5100s, because they were only $100 for all 4. I was absolutely just being cheap. I've had a long travel/full caged/not so street legal '88 truck and a mid travel, cushier but still beefy '01 Tundra that I just sold. I have come to realize that I don't really need all that performance for the few times a year I see dirt. I think the 5100s will be fine. My desert blasting days are over, and I want to do light wheeling with the wife and kid in comfort. This 4R is my daily driver, so it's gotta be comfy... not hardcore. I'm too old!