Were Bilstein shocks original equipment?

[Terminator03]

Hi, I have yellow Bilsteins with blue boots that say Toyota on them on my ‘04 SR5 V8. Were these stock? It sits quite a bit higher than an ‘04 Limited that a friend has, so I’m wondering what I have on it for suspension. There are no spacers present, so I’m assuming that the springs are some type of longer than stock ones, but they are just painted black, with no visible markings that I’ve found. The vehicle rides really nicely, and is a respectable height, but I’d like to raise the rear slightly due to the extra weight I carry for work. I keep the cargo area loaded with tools that I use daily for home remodeling work, so I have a slightly reverse rake. My current measurements (loaded) are 34 1/4” front/ 33 5/8” rear. Would I be better off with a spacer in the rear, or change out the coils? As, I mentioned, I like the way it rides currently just want to get the rear either leveled with the cargo, or slightly higher than the front. If I were to change the rear springs, what ones would handle the extra weight, and get me to a height to balance well with the front?

 

[djkurious]

When I removed my OEM shocks they were stamped Tokico.

 

[Inv4drZm]

They probably came off a Tacoma model. Did it look like these? None of our 4th gens came with bilsteins from the factory that I know of.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bilstein-shocks-trd-off-road-new.263706/

 

[Terminator03]

When I removed my OEM shocks they were stamped Tokico.

Yeah, I had read other threads and never saw any mention of Bilsteins as an factory option, which was why I was confused seeing them.

 

[Terminator03]

They probably came off a Tacoma model. Did it look like these? None of our 4th gens came with bilsteins from the factory that I know of.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bilstein-shocks-trd-off-road-new.263706/

Yep, those look very similar to what I have. I wonder if a previous owner installed both shocks and springs from a Tacoma to get its current ride height?

 

[borgzman]

If they are stamped Toyota, I guess they are take-offs from a unicorn, 2009 Trail Edition. Aftermarket yellow Bilsteins with blue boots are the 4600s or the Heavy Duty (HD) they are direct replacement to factory shocks, they look the same as the rare 4th Gen TE OE shocks. Bilstein HDs don't provide lift based on my experience but your truck may appear higher compared to a stock 4Runner with already saggy suspension. They are stiffer than the factory Tokicos even stiffer than the 5100s the reason they stay in ride height even with more miles on them.

Adding rear spacer will stiffen the ride quality some more, you might want to try air bags for occasional loading. If you change the rear coil to spring that provides lift, you will also need new shocks that can extend its length, say rear bilstein 5100.

 

[Terminator03]

If they are stamped Toyota, I guess they are take-offs from a unicorn, 2009 Trail Edition. Aftermarket yellow Bilsteins with blue boots are the 4600s or the Heavy Duty (HD) they are direct replacement to factory shocks, they look the same as the rare 4th Gen TE OE shocks. Bilstein HDs don't provide lift based on my experience but your truck may appear higher compared to a stock 4Runner with already saggy suspension. They are stiffer than the factory Tokicos even stiffer than the 5100s the reason they stay in ride height even with more miles on them.

Adding rear spacer will stiffen the ride quality some more, you might want to try air bags for occasional loading. If you change the rear coil to spring that provides lift, you will also need new shocks that can extend its length, say rear bilstein 5100.

Thanks, I was going to ask about the length issue, and possibly going with the 5100s, but didn’t want to add too much initially and make the first post confusing. Do you think the 5100 would play well with the yellow front ones valving wise? Air bags are an interesting thought. How do they affect the ride? Just as an FYI, it isn’t occasional loading. I keep the tools loaded 95% of the time since I use this vehicle primarily for work. Even when I use it for other purposes, I just clean out the back seats, but leave the cargo area loaded with tools because it takes too much time to unload. I have a custom built cargo shelf made of 3/4” hardwood plywood to maximize storage, but of course adds to the weight back there.

 

[JeffMerr]

My Trail Edition came with Billsteins I think they are equivalent to 5100's, look exactly like them. Swapping them out for new 5100's this weekend so I'll know once they're pulled.

 

[borgzman]

Thanks, I was going to ask about the length issue, and possibly going with the 5100s, but didn’t want to add too much initially and make the first post confusing. Do you think the 5100 would play well with the yellow front ones valving wise? Air bags are an interesting thought. How do they affect the ride? Just as an FYI, it isn’t occasional loading. I keep the tools loaded 95% of the time since I use this vehicle primarily for work. Even when I use it for other purposes, I just clean out the back seats, but leave the cargo area loaded with tools because it takes too much time to unload. I have a custom built cargo shelf made of 3/4” hardwood plywood to maximize storage, but of course adds to the weight back there.

Bilstein HDs are designed for heavy duty purposes like carrying weight, long hours of driving etc and maybe valve higher than the 5100s. Assuming you pair bilstein 5100 with taller coils with higher spring rate as your rear setup, I think it will play well with the already stiffer bilstein HDs in front.

Air Bags will aid the suspension so it will not bottom out when loaded or while pulling a trailer, but will not push it up significantly to level it back, you may still have the reverse rake due constant load as you mentioned.

 

[riceandpho]

swap the rear springs with something new, adding airbags will only bandaid the problem.

some guys here might have some used springs for sale. lot of folks do the fj cruiser springs all around.

 

[Terminator03]

Bilstein HDs are designed for heavy duty purposes like carrying weight, long hours of driving etc and maybe valve higher than the 5100s. Assuming you pair bilstein 5100 with taller coils with higher spring rate as your rear setup, I think it will play well with the already stiffer bilstein HDs in front.

Air Bags will aid the suspension so it will not bottom out when loaded or while pulling a trailer, but will not push it up significantly to level it back, you may still have the reverse rake due constant load as you mentioned.

swap the rear springs with something new, adding airbags will only bandaid the problem.

some guys here might have some used springs for sale. lot of folks do the fj cruiser springs all around.

Thanks, that’s good info, especially about the air bags. I was kind of hoping for a somewhat easy/cheap solution like that, but I guess doing right is the best way. I just wish I knew what I had for springs to know what rate to select.

 

[riceandpho]

I have airbags in mines, that was only a bandaid solution to the worn xreas suspension, I do have a constant weight in the rear. from subs and battery and some extra tools here and there.

now I rarely check my bags after doing the moogs fj cruiser springs. with the 5100 all around. I should check my bags tho, need atleast 5 psi, usually I do 10.

 

[Terminator03]

I have airbags in mines, that was only a bandaid solution to the worn xreas suspension, I do have a constant weight in the rear. from subs and battery and some extra tools here and there.

now I rarely check my bags after doing the moogs fj cruiser springs. with the 5100 all around. I should check my bags tho, need atleast 5 psi, usually I do 10.

So, if I’m understanding correctly, you reinstalled the bags even when you changed to the FJ springs and 5100s? Out of curiosity, did you use any rear spacers, and if not, what is your ground to fender well height? Assuming stock diameter tires.

 

[riceandpho]

So, if I’m understanding correctly, you reinstalled the bags even when you changed to the FJ springs and 5100s? Out of curiosity, did you use any rear spacers, and if not, what is your ground to fender well height? Assuming stock diameter tires.

i had to leave the bags in since the original jounce bumper had to be cut during the first install with the stock x reas. the only was to not use the bags anymore, i will need to buy new jounce bumper.

i also did not use any spacers, i only lifted the front at the .85 setting, dont seemed that tall now it has settled, also using 265 70 r17 tires. cant tell you any measurements right now, its pouring outside.