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Bilstein suspension or Eibach pro?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Miller1236, Feb 11, 2020.

  1. Feb 11, 2020 at 4:46 PM
    #1
    Miller1236

    Miller1236 [OP] New Member

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    Which is the better suspension to buy.
     
  2. Feb 11, 2020 at 6:54 PM
    #2
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I don't think you could go wrong either way.

    There are at least a handful of members here who are very happy with the Eibach setup.

    I've been researching the Bilstein 6112's and am hearing a lot of positive reviews as well.

    It might come down to the different ride characteristics of each and which suits your preference.

    I'm curious what others have to say.

    :popcorn:
     
  3. Feb 11, 2020 at 7:06 PM
    #3
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

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    I hear good things about each one. Eibach is much cheaper for now, they are releasing a new line soon, fully adjustable rear front and rear. not sure about cost?
    Many other choices, many rave about Dobkins, bilstiens, kings, icons
     
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  4. Feb 11, 2020 at 8:31 PM
    #4
    RusPro17

    RusPro17 Back home again!!

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    Since my 2020 Pro is new I’m just having Cornfed spacer lift added for now. Then I will put on 285’ down the road. Can not justify changing out a brand new suspension especially I don’t do off roading. Just my opinion unless you have the extra money to throw on a new suspension lifted the results on the fox suspension with added spacers there are really good reviews going this way. Guys are adding them even if you don’t have the fox suspension.
     
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  5. Feb 12, 2020 at 1:06 AM
    #5
    Miller1236

    Miller1236 [OP] New Member

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    Does the Bilstein Trd Pro suspension level or add any lift.
     
  6. Feb 12, 2020 at 2:08 AM
    #6
    RusPro17

    RusPro17 Back home again!!

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    My 17 Pro has the Bilstein and now my 2020 has the Fox suspension. They both sit about the same height. I believe there one inch higher. Comparing both I think the fox suspension feels better than my bilstein did. I like how the fox rides and I’m just improving the ride by adding the Cornfed spacers. Should have added they sit higher than the SR5 and off road.
     
  7. Feb 12, 2020 at 6:46 AM
    #7
    Miller1236

    Miller1236 [OP] New Member

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    Will the TRD PRO suspension kit PTR13-89160 fit 2020 OR Premium.
     
  8. Feb 12, 2020 at 8:33 AM
    #8
    JimmyAGR

    JimmyAGR New Member

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    Can't speak to the TRD kit, but I just put 6112s and 5160s in my 2020 ORP withh KDSS. I love the ride.
     
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  9. Feb 12, 2020 at 11:12 AM
    #9
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    Both are great and will perform similarly.

    TRD Pro Bilstein will give your roughly 0.8" of lift height, will cost you more and will have less adjustability.

    Eibach adjustable front shocks will give you 4 different height setting you can choose from and will cost less.
     
  10. Feb 12, 2020 at 11:57 AM
    #10
    Charlievee

    Charlievee Not new member.

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    Eibach stage 2, load lifter kit, Maggie w/ OTT tune... Other stuff.
    Fyi, may want to hold off. Eibach is working up fully adjustable rears. "4 weeks out". That being said, eibach can't make their kits fast enough.
     
    KSJ08 likes this.
  11. Mar 28, 2020 at 7:27 PM
    #11
    Barcelona Trail

    Barcelona Trail New Member

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    Bilstein 6112 & 5100 - Built Right UCAs - AFE Intake, TBS, & Exhaust - Pedal Cmndr - Icon Rebound - 285 BFG KO2
    Unfortunately... it may be a bit longer now
     
  12. Mar 28, 2020 at 8:05 PM
    #12
    Charlievee

    Charlievee Not new member.

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    Eibach stage 2, load lifter kit, Maggie w/ OTT tune... Other stuff.
    They released them, but got wrapped up in all the fear mongering and had to shut down.
     
  13. Mar 28, 2020 at 8:16 PM
    #13
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

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    One left, they sold the 1st batch. I didn't buy because not sure how long my job will last with the media frenzy

    Screenshot_20200328-221522_Samsung Internet.jpg
     
  14. Mar 29, 2020 at 4:59 AM
    #14
    SeekNDestroy

    SeekNDestroy 346Runner

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    Eibach stage one pro loft SPC UCAs With 285/70/17R BFGoodrich KO2 Two 30inch light bars inside grill Hood Protector
    I’m running the eibach with Toytec springs. SPC Upper control arms and front diff drop

    My overall ride and suspension has improved. I finally have a great alignment thanks to the SPC and no more nose dive

    Haven’t tested it out off road yet
     
  15. Mar 29, 2020 at 6:57 AM
    #15
    Miller1236

    Miller1236 [OP] New Member

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    Went with the Eibach pro lift kit stage one got a great deal for the kit will not be adding any weight front or back just looking for leveling , should I also purchase UCA for alignment to be safe.
     
  16. Mar 29, 2020 at 7:02 AM
    #16
    SeekNDestroy

    SeekNDestroy 346Runner

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    Eibach stage one pro loft SPC UCAs With 285/70/17R BFGoodrich KO2 Two 30inch light bars inside grill Hood Protector
    It wouldn’t hurt
    But it’s totally up to you
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  17. Mar 29, 2020 at 7:21 AM
    #17
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Where did you end up buying from?
     
  18. Mar 29, 2020 at 7:24 AM
    #18
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    How high are you lifting the front?

    It seems like 2.5-3 inches is the point where it becomes necessary, depending on who you ask.

    I went 2.3", and did UCA's. I could have gotten by without them, but they're not hurting anything.
     
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  19. Mar 29, 2020 at 7:31 AM
    #19
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    What is it about aftermarket UCAs that makes alignment better? IFS has me mystified...
     
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  20. Mar 29, 2020 at 7:50 AM
    #20
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I believe you need them to get the camber in spec. At some point, the stock ones are going be maxxed out and you'll have negative camber, if I'm not mistaken.

    I thought I had read that the BDS uppers that I installed added camber. I assume that this is the case with the other brands as well.

    I think it also said that they were NOT recommended for vehicles at stock height, or with less than 2" of lift.
     
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  21. Mar 29, 2020 at 8:06 AM
    #21
    Barcelona Trail

    Barcelona Trail New Member

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    Careful w that diff drop. It's not uncommon on the 5th gens for the diff drop to cause more problems than the slight angle change of the CV axle with a lift. CVs will ultimately need be addressed whether the truck is lifted or not. The added risk of additional parts failing (pinion angle on the driveshaft will lead to failure eventually) is an unnecessary risk in many people's opinions (this is a 5th gen side effect - not seen in older models)
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2020
    Oldtoyotaguy, 7385 and Thatbassguy like this.
  22. Mar 29, 2020 at 8:12 AM
    #22
    nimby

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    It's actually the caster. Caster moves the tilt your tire forward and back in the wheel well. Positive caster gives your stability, helps maintain straight-ahead direction and promotes steering wheel self-centering.

    upload_2020-3-29_8-3-36.jpg


    When you lift your truck and your stock UCA sits at a lower angle, the geometry moves the caster closer to the neutral position and it gets harder to move the wheel in the more positive direction. The higher you lift, the worse it gets. Aftermarket UCAs help with this and the good ones allow you to get the caster numbers up to the higher end of spec (positive 3.5 to 4) where the truck drives much better (and also can help prevent rubbing on mudflaps and body mounts if you're using the stock wheel backspacing, wheel width, and offset).
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2020
  23. Mar 29, 2020 at 8:15 AM
    #23
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    This makes me feel better about skipping the diff drop. My #1 reason for lifting was to get the front differential further off the ground. Dropping the diff seemed counterintuitive.
     
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  24. Mar 29, 2020 at 8:27 AM
    #24
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I stand corrected. I know what caster and camber are, but I didn't fully understand how they were affected by lift. Thanks for the information!
     
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  25. Mar 29, 2020 at 8:58 AM
    #25
    Miller1236

    Miller1236 [OP] New Member

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    On Amazon for 658.24 + tax now the price is 836.29 + tax free shipping
     
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  26. Mar 29, 2020 at 10:42 AM
    #26
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    So if you lift your front suspension (any amount) and have oem UCAs, how does an alignment shop adjust the caster?
     
  27. Mar 29, 2020 at 10:47 AM
    #27
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I think there's enough play in the stock ones to get in spec with smaller lifts.

    I'm not really sure how it works, though.
     
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  28. Mar 29, 2020 at 1:58 PM
    #28
    nimby

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    With our trucks, caster is adjusted at the LCA but the UCA needs to be able to support that alignment change. As you lift the truck, the less the UCA can support positive caster. The good aftermarket UCA's have higher caster adjustments built into them so that when you lift the truck (and align it at the LCA), the new UCA can handle that change. Some aftermarket UCA's allow for up to +5 degrees of caster for our trucks.

    I have a 1.6" lift in front with the stock UCA's. The alignment tech was still able to get me to +4 degrees of caster and mine drives really nice like this. I don't know at what lift height +4 degrees becomes impossible with stock UCA's......maybe 2" and higher???.......I'm not sure. But at some point, it does.

    And I'm not saying you have to be at +4 degrees caster. There's people out there with 2.5" lifts and stock UCA's that think their trucks drive fine with their caster maxed out at +2.5 degrees (which is still within Toyota specs); however, their vehicles will not feel as stable, the steering wheel won't snap back to center as fast, and they'll wander a bit more on the highway. If you want to reduce all that, you'll want the caster to be on the higher end of spec (+3.5 to 4 degrees).
     
  29. Mar 29, 2020 at 3:04 PM
    #29
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Hey JimmyAGR, what settings did you use and how much lift did you get? Any photos? Thanks.
     
  30. Mar 29, 2020 at 7:36 PM
    #30
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Thank you. I appreciate the explanation. I'd like to be knowledgeable about all this when I take it to the shop.
     
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