Tired of the Bilsteins

[Goldrunner]

So 4 years ago I bought a 2008 2wd that had what I thought was really soft suspension, especially since I just got out of a 2000 which was pretty firm. After perusing this very forum I put Bilstein 5100's all around.

Now 4 years later I've had enough of the harsh-to-me ride. So much so that I bought a cream puff crown vic that I tool around in now.

I do a 60 mile round trip commute in Dallas every day, and I'm ready to either put my much beloved 4th gen out to pasture in favor of the vic, or simply re-suspend it.

I actually visited one of my local Toyota dealers today and stopped by the parts house to get their recommendations.

The parts guy was honest, said stock is too soft, Bilsteins can be too harsh, and that KYB gas-adjusts are the way to go.

Problem is, KYB doesn't seem to offer regular gas-adjusts for the 4th gen, just their softer version.

So, now 4runner forum I ask you-which shocks should I get now?

 

[Snugg]

I think the issue is you went with 5100's
I would suggest 6112 in front and 5160 rear.

HUGE difference

 

[C-RAIG]

Did you lift it when you put the 5100's on? The 4th gen sits way too low and feels like it's riding on the bump stops. My first 4th gen was 2.5" up and rode way better than stock, my third gen with 5100's and eibach springs rides like a caddy.

 

[Spittman]

I'm about to put a set of 5100s and FJ front spring/5th gen rear spring on (my order for the TRD Pro kit got cancelled) as a tide me over until I can get into a set of Icon's or Kings.

If you want an awesome ride, coilovers are very hard to beat, especially the King's due to their valving (don't need to "push" them as much to have them soften out). They're just expensive.

 

[Macallan]

I think the issue is you went with 5100's
I would suggest 6112 in front and 5160 rear.

HUGE difference

This. Any decent 2.5" diameter shock makes for a buttery controlled ride.

 

[Goldrunner]

I think the issue is you went with 5100's
I would suggest 6112 in front and 5160 rear.

HUGE difference

These are Bilstein part numbers?

 

[773_T4R]

Agreed about the 6112's. I have 6112's up front and 5100's in the back paired with OME 895 medium duty springs and you can definitely tell that the rear is stiffer. Although I have drawers and a sub box in the cargo area that balance it out pretty well. Overall it's a very comfy ride. I do miss the ride (and the V8 roar) of those Vic's though..my dad had a 98 LX for 18 years

 

[blackoutt]

I too disliked the 5100 after giving them a thorough go. I said eff it and went with Fox all the way around which was probably overkill, but man it is nice. I think I would have been happy with the tried and true OME system. Or the other up and comer (for the US market at least) that I don't know about shock ride wise is Dobinson but I do love their rear coils after trying 5 different rear setups along the way.

 

[aquilon]

I too disliked the 5100 after giving them a thorough go. I said eff it and went with Fox all the way around which was probably overkill, but man it is nice. I think I would have been happy with the tried and true OME system. Or the other up and comer (for the US market at least) that I don't know about shock ride wise is Dobinson but I do love their rear coils after trying 5 different rear setups along the way.

Which fox did you go with?

 

[blackoutt]

Which fox did you go with?

You must be on tapatalk because it's in my signature. I went with:

Fox 2.5 DSC front, SPC UCA, Fox 2.0 CD/Dobinson 3" rear

 

[atalarico]

Well that's interesting OP. My history with Bilstein 5100s has been different. In my 3rd Gen I had the Tundra 5100s all around with gray Eibach springs from Toytec up front. Combined with load rated E tires, it was ridiculously harsh and I hated it.

However, and it's a big however, when I had to replace one of the front ones after it started leaking, I got TACOMA 5100s up front instead. Same Eibach springs reused, and holy crap was it a wonderful ride, especially after I had C-rated Duratracs put on. I actually got complements from people about the ride quality on and off-road.

Do you know if you have the Tundra 5100s? What is the load rating of your tires?

I have an 3" OME lift on my 4th Gen that was installed about 2,000 miles ago by the previous owner. It's definitely firmer, but it's not as firm or terrible as I heard OME was. I was planning on tearing this lift out in favor of Tacoma 5100s and Eibach, but it's really not bad so I'm going to keep it until I need to replace it.

 

[Falcon3]

FYI, 2nd gen Tacoma and 4th gen 4runner are the same Bilstein part number for the 5100 fronts. The rears have a different part number owing to the smaller bushing size and they’re .5” shorter. Not sure about valving on the rears being different.

 

[Snugg]

These are Bilstein part numbers?

Model numbers of Bilstein parts. This is what i'm running on mine. I love them

 

[ShadowT4R]

I would try tightening everything back up and see if that makes a difference.

I thought my shocks were blown after a year but i tightened both rear top shock mounts the other night and the truck feels great now. i guess the rubber bushings got soft after awhile