T-man's '05 Sport Build Thread

[t-man]

Also, for anyone wondering, another reason I'll never buy bilstein products. They advertise them as lifting and offroad shocks, but in there warranty info they will NOT warranty them if you go offroad at all. Completely contradictory to the purpose of the shock imo.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[alia176]

Also, for anyone wondering, another reason I'll never buy bilstein products. They advertise them as lifting and offroad shocks, but in there warranty info they will NOT warranty them if you go offroad at all. Completely contradictory to the purpose of the shock imo.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

This is a classic CYA but they do cover all sorts of issues under warranty, at least they have for me in the past. Shock that is bottoming/over extending is an issue they won't cover but the usual leaky seals, losing nitrogen charge, etc are things they cover if within their warranty period.

 

[t-man]

This is a classic CYA but they do cover all sorts of issues under warranty, at least they have for me in the past. Shock that is bottoming/over extending is an issue they won't cover but the usual leaky seals, losing nitrogen charge, etc are things they cover if within their warranty period.

Correct, but I blew the first set with stock coils. There shouldn't have been an issue. Same as the rears. I don't have more than 2" lift but if they are overextending that's an issue.
Bilsteins also don't dampen correctly offroad. They can't handle big bumps and whoops at all. They'll bottom out, bounce, and beat you to death. I've found 30mph is the sweet spot to soak everything up nice without issue, but if you hit a bigger hole or washouts at that speed you're going to know it! Also, I find that the rear shocks cannot keep that ass planted for nothing! It hops and bucks all over the place. Drives me crazy. I even get wheel chatter in sand which northern Michigan is full of.
So, if you drive mostly highway Bilsteins would be ok. Offroad though, find something better that is valved appropriately and can handle the abuse.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[alia176]

Correct, but I blew the first set with stock coils. There shouldn't have been an issue. Same as the rears. I don't have more than 2" lift but if they are overextending that's an issue.
Bilsteins also don't dampen correctly offroad. They can't handle big bumps and whoops at all. They'll bottom out, bounce, and beat you to death. I've found 30mph is the sweet spot to soak everything up nice without issue, but if you hit a bigger hole or washouts at that speed you're going to know it! Also, I find that the rear shocks cannot keep that ass planted for nothing! It hops and bucks all over the place. Drives me crazy. I even get wheel chatter in sand which northern Michigan is full of.
So, if you drive mostly highway Bilsteins would be ok. Offroad though, find something better that is valved appropriately and can handle the abuse.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

This is a real good feedback, people should understand what these shocks do for your suspension. I'm in the middle of doing my due diligence and the 5100s seem to be the cat's meow, until you peel back the layers, then you find out stuff like this.

I've heard of this before, that they're not valved properly for a light weight rig. Seems that a fully loaded front and rear with the usual bumpers/tires/etc may be better suited for the 5100s, from what it sounds like. Given that I run trails quite a bit, wash boards and whoopdeedooes are something I deal with frequently so a properly setup suspension ($$$$) is in my future.

 

[t-man]

This is a real good feedback, people should understand what these shocks do for your suspension. I'm in the middle of doing my due diligence and the 5100s seem to be the cat's meow, until you peel back the layers, then you find out stuff like this.

I've heard of this before, that they're not valved properly for a light weight rig. Seems that a fully loaded front and rear with the usual bumpers/tires/etc may be better suited for the 5100s, from what it sounds like. Given that I run trails quite a bit, wash boards and whoopdeedooes are something I deal with frequently so a properly setup suspension ($$$$) is in my future.

I think with extra weight the Bilsteins would collapse! I bottom them out with no extra weight, Tacoma TRD coils on the front and FJ coils on the rear. Maybe with some stiffer springs they would be better, but I wouldn't bother finding out. Unfortunately it's going to take me a little while to replace them with something better. 4 kids, 2 dogs, 2 car payments and a house payment kill build items! Lol

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[soloone]

looking good.

 

[t-man]

I'd say my skid plates are thoroughly broke in!

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[TeamLord]

[MENTION=101553]t-man[/MENTION]
your truck is awesome!

 

[gtb129]

I'd say my skid plates are thoroughly broke in!

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

Looks like you have a small leak from the driver side of your front diff. Just in case you you didn't notice. You and I both know how expensive ECGS diff are lol. Keep up the good work man. Digging a all the black you added.

 

[t-man]

Looks like you have a small leak from the driver side of your front diff. Just in case you you didn't notice. You and I both know how expensive ECGS diff are lol. Keep up the good work man. Digging a all the black you added.

Hmm, I hadn't looked at that. Thanks. I wonder if it is runoff from changing the axle out twice now or if it's a small leak.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[t-man]

[MENTION=101553]t-man[/MENTION]
your truck is awesome!

Thanks! I'm diggin on yours too!

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[gtb129]

Hmm, I hadn't looked at that. Thanks. I wonder if it is runoff from changing the axle out twice now or if it's a small leak.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

My guess is runoff, but it's easy to check. Just clean the dirt off, and watch for fresh oil. I'm sure you don't need the lesson, but I like to talk lol.

 

[t-man]

My guess is runoff, but it's easy to check. Just clean the dirt off, and watch for fresh oil. I'm sure you don't need the lesson, but I like to talk lol.

I was already thinking that! Lol. Was wishing I had a little brake clean left to spray it down with.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[t-man]

Wired up my URD O2 simulator tonight. First thought, my truck idles better. Lower and smoother. Went for a short drive, maybe it's placebo but it seems much snappier. Quieter until I open her up, smoother, peppier when I step in it, and less smell. (it was running really rich) tomorrow will tell if my mpg are better and how the power is as I have a 250 mile trip down the expressway.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[t-man]

New mod:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132186222@N08/29141374565/in/datetaken/" title="20160821_182258"><img src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8658/29141374565_0e297bbc3c_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="20160821_182258"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132186222@N08/29141369895/in/datetaken/" title="20160821_182244"><img src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8229/29141369895_7a971684cd_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="20160821_182244"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

You all know how happy I am right now....#Bilsteinsucks!
In other news, looking for some cheap, used rear shocks that I can use temporarily until I can upgrade. Anyone have anything?

 

[dkyleb]

New mod:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132186222@N08/29141374565/in/datetaken/" title="20160821_182258"><img src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8658/29141374565_0e297bbc3c_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="20160821_182258"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/132186222@N08/29141369895/in/datetaken/" title="20160821_182244"><img src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8229/29141369895_7a971684cd_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="20160821_182244"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

You all know how happy I am right now....#Bilsteinsucks!
In other news, looking for some cheap, used rear shocks that I can use temporarily until I can upgrade. Anyone have anything?

Dude. How do you have such terrible luck with Bilstein? Are you trying to warranty them at least?

 

[techno]

Can that be screwed back in or is it all stripped? I think I can see threads in the shaft hole.

 

[t-man]

Dude. How do you have such terrible luck with Bilstein? Are you trying to warranty them at least?

They refuse to warranty. For on road use only.

Can that be screwed back in or is it all stripped? I think I can see threads in the shaft hole.

Threads on the shaft are pulled down pretty bad. I'm going to try but I don't think it'll stay.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.

 

[BackOff]

Thinking the sway bars help to limit the suspension travel but the shocks are designed to use with sway bars?

Was thinking that's why I mashed my front inner fender wells with the UCA.

Maybe you can tackweld that thing temporary.

Shhh...Just don't tell Bilstien you drive offroad...for the warranty.

 

[t-man]

Thinking the sway bars help to limit the suspension travel but the shocks are designed to use with sway bars?

Was thinking that's why I mashed my front inner fender wells with the UCA.

Maybe you can tackweld that thing temporary.

Shhh...Just don't tell Bilstien you drive offroad...for the warranty.

I was thinking welding too, then this happened trying to take it off... Lol

Here you can see the shaft is bent too.

Sent from the drivers seat of my 05 4runner.