Suspension Advice Sought

[TorontoMike]

Hi Everyone:

I am brand new to this forum. It has been an excellent source of information to me.

I have a 2012 Magnetic Grey SR5 with upgrade package. All of 100 miles on the odometer.


This is my first truck, my first SUV and my first 4wd vehicle...up until this point we have owned honda or acura sedans, but with two kids and a major home reno underway, we needed something with more space. To my delight, my wife said, if we are going to get a truck we should get a truck, and not a car suspended in air...

Anyway, to the point - it seems that the installation of Bilstein 5100's seem to have a noticeable impact on reducing the "nose dive" characteristic of the SR5's handling.

My questions are: (1) if I am not necessarily interested in raising the height of the front end, would the Bilstein HD's have the same impact on the ride, or is the increased front height a significant contributor to the reduced "nose dive"? and

(2) will modifying the front suspension only have a noticeable impact or all four recommended?

Thank-you in advance for any advice or guidance.

Mike

 

[Antman]

Welcome Mike!:cheers:

The experts will chime in soon, but I can tell you with confidence that just about any new shocks will help with the nose dive to some degree. However, why not get the 5100's? If you stick around here for any length of time, the bug will hit you enough to at least level that factory rake. Just an opinion!

Oh yeah, the rear shocks are absolute junk too. I can bounce the back of mine up and down like a '73 Lincoln, and I have less than 30k miles.

Replace them all.

 

[Ducmonsta]

^^^^^ what he said!

Welcome and enjoy your first REAL SUV!

You'll love the way the 5100s feel. I would recommend using the first setting on the adjustment (.85) lift. It will not be noticeable and you'll definitively help with the nose dive.

 

[TorontoMike]

Thanks for the responses!

On the other side of the coin - are there any downsides to the upgrades shocks or is it all "up" side?

I imagine the impact of the 0.85'' increase (at most, if the rear stays level) in the centre of gravity is negligible - it was really my only concern - we will be using this truck to commute to a cottage in the north country, and it involves a 200km freeway trip where speeds average 70mph or so.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Thanks for the responses!

On the other side of the coin - are there any downsides to the upgrades shocks or is it all "up" side?

I imagine the impact of the 0.85'' increase (at most, if the rear stays level) in the centre of gravity is negligible - it was really my only concern - we will be using this truck to commute to a cottage in the north country, and it involves a 200km freeway trip where speeds average 70mph or so.

Anything negative is extremely minor. You're not changing tire height so there will be virtually no loss of fuel ecomomy. With the exception that the aerodynamics of your truck will change. But again, negligible.

Probably the most negative thing you'll come across is the thought of throwing away brand new factory hardware. And of course, the cost of the new Bilsteins.

 

[philsey]

Ant & Duc are on the money. And a +1 to 4 Billys, not 2.

The 5100s firm up the ride just right imo, and the fronts @ .85 takes the rake out, which I didn't care for. No mileage penalty.

As to the nose dive: I've been a severe critic of this, as it just annoys the carp outta me. The 5100s will reduce it noticeably, and adequately I suppose. It's really a (soft) spring issue, but I'm not pursuing it further.

Good tires, and a caster setting out to 4* helps if yours wanders a tad on the highway.

Welcome.

 

[TorontoMike]

Thanks again - I apologize in advance for this noob question, but is replacing the springs instead of,( or in addition to) upgraded shocks also an option?

And 5100 all around? the rear ride height is not impacted by new shocks as I understand?

 

[28fiend]

Thanks again - I apologize in advance for this noob question, but is replacing the springs instead of,( or in addition to) upgraded shocks also an option?

And 5100 all around? the rear ride height is not impacted by new shocks as I understand?

That's the exact route I'm going. Run the 5100s all 4 corners, as stated the stock rears are terrible. The new shocks won't raise the rear at all, just a stiffer ride.

You can also change the springs, though you will get more height out of the front and rear.

 

[Ramzey28]

Hope this helps you....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/118940-275-70-17-firestone-dest-5100-85-te-review.html


An update, The ride is better, tires helped. Shocks are better, not a HUGE difference but there is alittle improvement, once I put rear shocks on, maybe Ill notice more. I do feel the engine needing more with the heavier tires AT Type tires. Glad I did it.