Unhappy with Bilstein 5100 (too soft?)

[Falcon3]

Hello! I have a 2008 V6 Sport with 180k. I was recently running original XREAS with a 1” leveling spacer up front and Dob 599 in the back for 1.5” lift. I have no big weight changes other than some soundproofing in the back that adds maybe 75lbs.

I replaced the XREAS this weekend with OME 883 front springs and 5100 all around. and was hoping for a nice stiff responsive ride. However, I got a ride that is remarkably similar to my XREAS. I spent several months very carefully noting my ride quality, so I know how my truck responds to the road features I drive daily. With the 5100s, the brake nose dive is very similar (might actually be worse) and general bounce is also about the same. Alignment was right on before with about 3.8 degrees caster and neutral camber and toe in. The 883 springs raised my front about 1”, so caster will have gone down and I need to tweak camber, but the ride I’m talking about is more related to bounce and body movement.

Tires are the same before/after. Yoko Geo 265/70 17

Did I get a bum set of shocks? Or do 5100s not actually firm up the ride like everybody says? I do notice the rebound after a very rough stretch is improved, but I thought the shocks would improve the ride other places as well

 

[slimjj]

Hello! I have a 2008 V6 Sport with 180k. I was recently running original XREAS with a 1” leveling spacer up front and Dob 599 in the back for 1.5” lift. I have no big weight changes other than some soundproofing in the back that adds maybe 75lbs.



I replaced the XREAS this weekend with OME 883 front springs and 5100 all around. and was hoping for a nice stiff responsive ride. However, I got a ride that is remarkably similar to my XREAS. I spent several months very carefully noting my ride quality, so I know how my truck responds to the road features I drive daily. With the 5100s, the brake nose dive is very similar (might actually be worse) and general bounce is also about the same. Alignment was right on before with about 3.8 degrees caster and neutral camber and toe in. The 883 springs raised my front about 1”, so caster will have gone down and I need to tweak camber, but the ride I’m talking about is more related to bounce and body movement.



Tires are the same before/after. Yoko Geo 265/70 17



Did I get a bum set of shocks? Or do 5100s not actually firm up the ride like everybody says? I do notice the rebound after a very rough stretch is improved, but I thought the shocks would improve the ride other places as well

If the 5100s are set at the bottom perch, then it will be closer to stock. If you raise the perch to 0.85 or 1.75, it will preload the coils and give it a little bit firmer ride.

Have you replaced your sway bar bushings? If not, I would give that a try. It was night and day for me, stiffened it right up and feels much more responsive. Got the Moog poly bushings for $7 on rockauto.

I replaced my end links at the same time with some moogs. Might as well since you’ll have the sway bar down. Easy job.


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[Falcon3]

Thanks for the reply, I replaced the sway bar bushings a couple months ago with poly. Also the rear end links, front end links are in good shape. The 883 is a taller coil, so when compressed into the 5100 at bottom clip, it provides the same lift as a stock spring at the third clip. Preload doesn’t change the spring rate, it merely changes the place in travel at which the suspension starts compressing. Any lift also changes the geometry of the control arms which can contribute to a harsher ride. However, at the 2.25” lift with my 883 it should give the same ride quality as a 2.25” lift on preloaded stock springs at the same 590lb spring rate.

 

[slimjj]

Thanks for the reply, I replaced the sway bar bushings a couple months ago with poly. Also the rear end links, front end links are in good shape. The 883 is a taller coil, so when compressed into the 5100 at bottom clip, it provides the same lift as a stock spring at the third clip. Preload doesn’t change the spring rate, it merely changes the place in travel at which the suspension starts compressing. Any lift also changes the geometry of the control arms which can contribute to a harsher ride. However, at the 2.25” lift with my 883 it should give the same ride quality as a 2.25” lift on preloaded stock springs at the same 590lb spring rate.

Good point on the spring rate, maybe the valving in the 5100s makes for a stiffer ride when moved to a higher perch? I’ve only heard 5100s are firmer the higher up you go. I did have taco progressive springs at one point and I was thinking about how adding preload can stiffen those up. Forgot that preload doesn’t affect linear springs.

Also the OME springs are about the same rate as stock 4Runner (580 lb/in), so I wouldn’t expect much difference there. XREAS shocks are pretty short and stiff when working properly. You have more off-road capable rig now.


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[hinmo24t]

Good point on the spring rate, maybe the valving in the 5100s makes for a stiffer ride when moved to a higher perch? I’ve only heard 5100s are firmer the higher up you go. I did have taco progressive springs at one point and I was thinking about how adding preload can stiffen those up. Forgot that preload doesn’t affect linear springs.

Also the OME springs are about the same rate as stock 4Runner (580 lb/in), so I wouldn’t expect much difference there. XREAS shocks are pretty short and stiff when working properly. You have more off-road capable rig now.


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sorry to bring an old thread back up, but after reading this i was wondering a few things:

i have been putting together my lift and suspension parts for an install
in November. I bought 895e old man emu rear springs to match with 883 fronts (havent bought the 883 yet or bilstein 5100, i only have the rear springs, KYB topmounts, 33" ATs and OEM FJ 6 spokes.) Truck is currently on KYB replacements and it rides pretty damn good compared to a newer truck i test drove with old stock suspension. I was planning on running the billys and 883 on lowest notch setting...but after no noticable stiffness by the OP Falcon I wonder if I should just throw my OME springs on my KYB's. The KYBs are relativelly new and they feel like it too. I could save about $400 by doing this...

also, the KYB replacement suspension in my truck actually give the 4runner an even stance, 1" front lift - which i dont think matter at all to my above point except perhaps the springs on them now are rated a bit more/or longer like the 883 i am going to be buying.

is there any chance my OME springs wouldnt sit on the KYB shocks? if thats possible i def will just pony up for the 5100s...

btw i only wheel about once a month and nothing too wild - we get some big snowstorms that i like to plow through.

Thanks everyone.