Pics- Bilstein 5100 Front Lift

[Rick G.]

Hello all. Quite some time ago I inquired here about doing a minor front lift on my 2022 4RUNNER SR5 Premium 4WD, mainly for appearance purposes. Thanks again to all who replied at that time with your advice.

I elected to go the route of having my local off road shop install a pair of Bilstein 5100 Series adjustable front shocks. I asked them to raise the front enough to eliminate most of the front rake, but to leave a hint of front rake.

I am extremely happy with the results, both with the ride, and with the change in appearance. My shop took care of getting a front end alignment done after they installed the Bilsteins. Vehicle drives great.

I shot a few pics here to share, especially for anyone who is considering getting this same work done. I don't think you will be disappointed if you go through with this mod.

Here is my pride and joy, pics shot recently, with the vehicle odometer reading 34,107 miles.

 

[///AIRDAM]

Hello all. Quite some time ago I inquired here about doing a minor front lift on my 2022 4RUNNER

I elected to go the route of having my local off road shop install a pair of Bilstein 5100 Series adjustable front shocks.

Here is my pride and joy, pics shot recently

berry nice

 

[fourrunnerbill]

Just curious how did they raise the front with 5100's. My shop said they couldn't do that unless the springs were changed out.

 

[Rick G.]

Just curious how did they raise the front with 5100's. My shop said they couldn't do that unless the springs were changed out.

fourrunnerbill,

Hello. Maybe check with another off road shop for a second opinion. The Bilstein 5100s are designed to be used with your existing coil springs, when replacing your FRONT shocks.

Unless maybe your shop thought your mileage was too high on your current springs, or they were afraid of the age of your vehicle, and they wanted to go with fresh coil springs. Or, maybe they want you to spend additional money with them needlessly on more parts.

I am no suspension expert. Let's see if someone else here with experience on this matter can chime in. Thank you.

 

[premise]

Are these shocks pressurized enough to add significant "spring?" They are not "air shocks" per se, correct?

 

[El Dusty]

Just curious how did they raise the front with 5100's. My shop said they couldn't do that unless the springs were changed out.

Bilstein 5100s are literally designed and marketed to be used with all vehicles stock springs. Your shop is lying or incompetent or both. Best to find a new one.

 

[Rick G.]

Are these shocks pressurized enough to add significant "spring?" They are not "air shocks" per se, correct?

Here's a youtube video I found. The guy mentions near the beginning of the video that the existing coil springs are being re-used in the installation, for FRONT shocks.

The Bilstein 5100 shocks are nitrogen gas charged / pressurized, to work in concert with the oil also contained in the shocks.

They are NOT "air shocks" per se, where you can raise or lower the air pressure in them. You have to select your ride height on these before you install the shocks on the vehicle. After that, if you want to change your height, it looks to me like you would most likely have to remove the shocks from the vehicle, make your re-adjustment, and then re-install them on the vehicle.

Youtube video link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEnMvblCHyo

 

[fourrunnerbill]

I wasn't clear. They did install 5100's front and rear with no other mod and they are an improvement over stock shocks. But when I asked if they could give it a .5 - .8 " rise they said they could for the rear but not for the front unless springs were changed out. This was discussed prior to the work so the height was pretty much the same. Some future day I might consider a better solution. I seem to manage fine on easy trails and occasionally medium ones.

 

[premise]

Here's a youtube video I found. The guy mentions near the beginning of the video that the existing coil springs are being re-used in the installation, for FRONT shocks.

The Bilstein 5100 shocks are nitrogen gas charged / pressurized, to work in concert with the oil also contained in the shocks.

They are NOT "air shocks" per se, where you can raise or lower the air pressure in them. You have to select your ride height on these before you install the shocks on the vehicle. After that, if you want to change your height, it looks to me like you would most likely have to remove the shocks from the vehicle, make your re-adjustment, and then re-install them on the vehicle.

Youtube video link:

4Runner Bilstein 5100 Front Shock Install - YouTube

Ah, got it, the shock provides for ride height adjustment via preload via spring seat position selection. Thanks!

 

[Dynamo]

I wasn't clear. They did install 5100's front and rear with no other mod and they are an improvement over stock shocks. But when I asked if they could give it a .5 - .8 " rise they said they could for the rear but not for the front unless springs were changed out. This was discussed prior to the work so the height was pretty much the same. Some future day I might consider a better solution. I seem to manage fine on easy trails and occasionally medium ones.

I will reiterate what El Dusty said. Your shop is either lying or incompetent.

It's the opposite of what they said. The front 5100's are lift height adjustable and meant to be able to work with stock springs. They have 4 snap ring grooves that allow lift heights of 0", .85", 1.25", 2.5". The rear 5100's are not height adjustable but are designed to be able to work with taller springs or spacers. If you want the rear lifted then you would need new springs or use spacers.

I have 5100's on all 4 corners using the OEM springs. The fronts are set to .85" and the with the rears I have 1/2" spacers.

 

[fourrunnerbill]

I will reiterate what El Dusty said. Your shop is either lying or incompetent.

It's the opposite of what they said. The front 5100's are lift height adjustable and meant to be able to work with stock springs. They have 4 snap ring grooves that allow lift heights of 0", .85", 1.25", 2.5". The rear 5100's are not height adjustable but are designed to be able to work with taller springs or spacers. If you want the rear lifted then you would need new springs or use spacers.

I have 5100's on all 4 corners using the OEM springs. The fronts are set to .85" and the with the rears I have 1/2" spacers.

OK, it appears he just mis spoke and got the rear and front mixed up. Thanks for the clarification and I will keep things as is (not wanting to use spacers) and consider a more aggressive solution in the future.