One month and 1500 miles later...

[gdvan01]

..on my first T4R: 2017 SR5 Premium -

Not a bad transition from an F-150, had no more need for a truck.

Brakes - kinda mushy but they do the job, almost accustomed to the brake and gas pedals being up each others butts...

Stability - I thought I had bought a brand new vehicle with shocks that were shot!

The nose diving on hard braking and the body roll on cornering is pretty f-in pathetic and nowhere near what I had expected from my first Toyota. This is a major let-down.

But overall, I'm pleased and clearly.....a replacement set of shocks in is my very near future.

 

[ToolUser1]

When you do upgrade don't get the Bilstein 5100s everyone seems to recommend. They make the 5th gen driveable, but not what I'd consider normal or acceptable. Definitely spring for the next level up.

And don't let this completely sour you on the brand. I've probably had a dozen toyota/lexus vehicles over the years and they've all been bulletproof - this is the first one that's been a disappointment.

 

[PeoplecallmeIan]

i feel the same way...just got mine about a month ago with 1200 on the ODO. I can't wait to upgrade my suspension. The cornering doesn't inspire confidence at all but this thing bone stock with 285's is a very capable machine.

 

[shifted]

When you do upgrade don't get the Bilstein 5100s everyone seems to recommend. They make the 5th gen driveable, but not what I'd consider normal or acceptable. Definitely spring for the next level up.



And don't let this completely sour you on the brand. I've probably had a dozen toyota/lexus vehicles over the years and they've all been bulletproof - this is the first one that's been a disappointment.

What would you recommend that is better then the 5100's?


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[progress4m]

...

Stability - I thought I had bought a brand new vehicle with shocks that were shot!
......

I agree with that statement 100%…. One of the main reasons I have bought Trail edition with KDSS.

 

[hikenbike]

Pathetic=dropping $40k on a vehicle you didn't drive.


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[philsey]

When you do upgrade don't get the Bilstein 5100s everyone seems to recommend. They make the 5th gen driveable, but not what I'd consider normal or acceptable. Definitely spring for the next level up.

Odd ... they're so bad that everyone recommends them - yep, odd.

 

[ToolUser1]

What would you recommend that is better then the 5100's?

I think it's the 6112's. Cost is incrementally more, but if you really don't like the stock handling it's probably a better choice. I swapped in the 5100's two weeks ago and regret not going with the 6112's.

 

[ToolUser1]

Odd ... they're so bad that everyone recommends them - yep, odd.

Uhhh, yeah. The guy called the handling on his brand new vehicle "pretty f-in pathetic". That seems to reflect a reasonably strong sentiment, no? If he feels that strongly then like me, he probably won't be happy with the 5100's. Right?

Some people clearly like that nostalgic 70's Cadillac feel that the BigT marketing department decided our Mom demographic really wanted in the 5th gen. But many don't, as demonstrated by the constant stream of upgrade threads on this site, complaints about nose diving, and handling in general. Even one guy wanting to downgrade the brakes!

I also get that after spending >$40k on a new car lots of people aren't willing to admit the handling isn't what they expected, and even more aren't willing to hear criticism of the brand, even if it's constructive. To each their own.

But I love your comments - of my 25 or so posts you've made sarcastic comments on two now. Keep up the constructive contributions!

 

[doctorres112]

..on my first T4R: 2017 SR5 Premium -

Not a bad transition from an F-150, had no more need for a truck.

Brakes - kinda mushy but they do the job, almost accustomed to the brake and gas pedals being up each others butts...

Stability - I thought I had bought a brand new vehicle with shocks that were shot!

The nose diving on hard braking and the body roll on cornering is pretty f-in pathetic and nowhere near what I had expected from my first Toyota. This is a major let-down.

But overall, I'm pleased and clearly.....a replacement set of shocks in is my very near future.

I'm almost a month in on my '17 TRD ORP and just bought the OME suspension kit today w/ light springs up front and medium in the rear. Bought medium for the rear as I also just ordered an expedition one rear bumper.

I'll post the results of the lift once I get it on there.

Good luck w/ your search!

-Chris

 

[FrenchToasty]

I would reccomend the 5100s, no joke, no oddities

 

[dot_tom]

5100'a matched to Wheelers Off Road coils are nice.

 

[dawudih]

I don't understand why people like Bilstein 5100 shocks (many recommend them). Per the manual, they are valved with excessive rebound and decreased compression to offset the additional preload. Not horrible, but there are much better. The car felt like it needed new shocks after I installed mine.

 

[Presa Canario]

I don't understand why people like Bilstein 5100 shocks (many recommend them). Per the manual, they are valved with excessive rebound and decreased compression to offset the additional preload. Not horrible, but there are much better. The car felt like it needed new shocks after I installed mine.

People like them because they are cheap and they can still get some lift out of them and claim it's a "mod". The shocks suck and for that matter so do the 6112's in my opinion. After buying a new 4Runner, a lot of these people have no extra cash and rather than save up for a good suspension setup, they just want the "quick and now" fix. Enter the 5100's...... If you will notice, on many of the threads where people are taking about getting/installing them, they are always quick to mention how cheap they were able to get all 4 of them.

 

[N2TRKYS]

What's the best way to fix the steering wheel vibration and the crazy nose dive when braking?

 

[1engineer]

It's very simple. 5100's are one of the most reliable and durable shock upgrades you can make on a 4Runner. Yes, they are an upgrade. Yes, they last as long as an OEM shock and at the price, when you replace them you just throw them away.

Now, if you want a higher performance upgrade, the 5100's are not gonna do it. You are also not going to be happy with just shocks either. You need a bit stiffer spring rate to go with those Icon or King shocks or Fox shocks. Also, with that performance upgrade you also need more maintenance. Those expensive shocks need to be rebuilt often, depending on your driving habits. When they get rebuilt, unless you are [MENTION=78273]Jeremy556[/MENTION] then you are removing them from your truck, sending them off and waiting a week or two with your truck on blocks.

So Yes, 5100's are definitely a good choice for an upgrade.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

I did notice reduced nose dive once I ditched those marshmallow factory Dueler tires for an all terrain tire in LT sizing. Personally thought the E load tire was too stiff for a daily driver over rust belt potholes. Swapped them for C loads instead and have been happier since.

Put on Rancho QuikLIFTs here trying to do replacement struts and small lift on the cheap, not a fan. Initially better than stock, but now that they've broken in, might as well have left stock alone. Think front spring rate is too soft, especially with aftermarket bumper. Might go with the OME option next time as it seems popular and has a reputation for stiffer than the 5100's. I hear talk about going from 5100's to OME, but never the other way. I guess there's got to be a reason.

 

[Lawrence_Liang]

5100 by it self might not be enough, but pair with wheelers t1/t13 is another story...


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[gdvan01]

Pathetic=dropping $40k on a vehicle you didn't drive.


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What? I should have test-driven it?

Damn, wish I hadda known that before hand....

 

[flybooey]

Odd ... they're so bad that everyone recommends them - yep, odd.

Best 350$ "upgrade" i've ever spent on any vehicle. For me this is the way the vehicle should have handled from new, for a DD and fireroads. The nose dive is gone,the body roll, the stance, the Lincoln Continental bounce and cornering stability. Way more economical than getting a TE, Pro etc...
I definitely feel more in control and safe with its response to my input.
And....it took all of 3hrs to do, with beer. When the time comes that I get even more sucked into the T4R fun zone and update the suspension i wont feel like I just pissed away 350$ and that I got value for my money

BTW...thank to the forum for all the info for me to make informed decisions

Dave