Bilstein 5100

What is your experience with this suspension? If you have this on your car, do you mind sharing exactly what set up you have? (Suspension, UCA, Coils, etc) and also what was the out the door pricing you paid (if you went to mechanic)

I am obviously new to this world, and think I am set on going with the 5100, but want to see if there are other things I should pair with it.

This is my everyday driver car, but also I hit some light to moderate trails when I go camping/ travel.

 

I have 5100 on my 2019 Limited. I choose them because the lift for my Limited is only for the looks. I would not put them on trails. Also 5100 are on the firm side compared to stock suspension but not firm as OME ones.

For off-road use I have OME lift and ELKA lift. OME is insane. You can abuse them like crazy. I have so much confidence on them. But the down side of OME is they are firm for slow speeds on local roads. But great at on road high speed mountain drives. Excellent control with no body roll or nose dive.

ELKA is new to me so I haven't use them hard as OME yet. But when I dial ELKA to the softer side its really good. I haven't had a chance to dial them to firm side and run hard.

I highly suggest you talk to a reputable 4x4 shop like Toytec or RSG Offroad or any closer to you. They will explain what you can do and cannot do with different options. Like I can say about only the suspension I have on my 4Runners vs those shops will give you so many options that suite your needs and budget.

 

Better shock Bils 51s use your stock coils or if want firmer go eibach springs w/51s or eibach pro truck ! Cheaper is def just 51s w/stock coilovers !

 

I have them in the front only, with headstrong coils which give me ~3” of lift. I have SPC UCA’s which were necessary to get my alignment dialed in and help with the larger tires. They’re great for the money in my opinion. They GREATLY improved the handling, eliminated the annoying noise dive, and do really well off-road for “cheap” shocks. I’ve done some pretty rough trails, and definitely have not been easy on them. If you want more feedback on them, go to tacomaworld. It’s a super popular setup, and plenty of people have put them through the ropes and they prove to be good shocks.
They are digressive shocks as well.
Definitely a great beginner/budget setup.

It was $265 to have my entire suspension setup installed and an alignment.

check this article out to learn about suspension types: https://accutuneoffroad.com/articles/digressive-vs-linear-vs-progressive-pistons-shock-valving/

 

I had 51’s on my SR5 with stock coils. Loved them. Set at 1.75 up front with Cornfed 1” spacers in the rear. Stock wheels with spydertrax adapters. Handled great. I was driving about aggressively at the time. Took bumps like a champ. No nosedive. (You actually need this for better braking but most don’t like it). Off road for the light trails I did they were great. Member ‘2016 4Runner SR5’ can get you a deal on the spacers if you go that way.

 

The Bilstein 5100 are a good entry level, mostly on-road shock - they provide a better ride than the stock 4Runner shocks and you are able to get some height out of them if you want to raise your truck
The downside is they are not fully adjustable like some of the other shocks - what I mean by this is there is not a screw type nut you can use for infinite adjustments to the height, rather they have a lockring that you move in I believe 3/4" increments to adjust the height, so it is hard to get that perfect stance you may be looking for - especially with the front driver side shock which is the heaviest point on the truck that needs additional pre-load to correct the stance

 

Basically they are just a small upgrade which gives you (supposedly) more reliability off-road against internal shock failure due to mono-tube design, as well as the ability to lift the truck without changing your springs. I would also check out the Eibach Pro-Truck offering, that's basically the same thing. The other similar option is FOX, who makes a similar product. However it costs a bit more.. but for that cost you get what is typically considered a better "off-road" shock in the FOX due to a more linear shock rate. The FOX is also aluminum which sheds heat better. Finally, the FOX comes with tougher bushings, which might be something you don't want due to noises/maintenance vs. OE. The Bilstein/Eibach will "handle" better on the road though, such as less body roll in the corners, if that matters to you.

Your next step, should you choose to spend more, would be looking into taller springs, and then choosing a shock for them (same shocks I've mentioned, but then you can consider "fixed" shocks too, even if you want some lift, since you can use longer/stiffer springs instead of just lifting up the stock springs). Lots of guys go with Dobinsons twin-tube shocks because they're not expensive. Choosing between Dobinsons and Bilstein/Eibach and FOX for use with lift springs would come down to Progressive vs. Digressive vs. Linear shock rates.

After that would be the Bilstein 6112 front setup, with similar stuff in the rear, for a bit more cash. The 6112, like the TRD Pro Bilstein setups, is basically just a bigger, and more finely adjustable 5100. It needs a different kind of spring, so you can't use your stock springs (but the 6112 comes with the springs, so no worries). The larger 6112 can take more of a beating, and may feel a *little* more plush too, because it contains more oil inside which cools better, and allows the shock to be tuned differently. I personally went with the 6112 for off-road durability, finely adjustable ride height (to correct "lean", as well as to switch it up in the future should I want to), and OEM style bushings. IMO, an alternative in this range is the Dobinsons IMS setup.. same price, also larger shocks than stock. Digressive vs. Progressive, other small differences.. you decide.

Beyond that you are looking into options that are roughly $3000 and up (just parts, no install).. such as larger FOX, Kings, Icon, Radflo, ELKA, etc. It becomes apparent that there is a $$ gap left in between the 6112 setup vs. a full 2.5 adjustable coil-over.. but that's just because the 6112 offers, frankly, incredible value. It might not feel as good as a full-blown 2.5 adjustable setup, but for less than half the price, it will get things done without complaining too much. If money isn't as much of an object, Kings/ELKA etc. give you enough adjustability and tuning options so that your on-road, and off-road experience can both be sublime.

 

Also I guess its a wise idea to talk to a trusted shop about the requirements too right?

Last time I was ready to spend anything so even asked for Fox 3.0s and the shop explained me why I should not get Fox 3.0 for my requirement vs it would be perfect for someone else with a different requirement.

Even after spending $$$$ my brain still ask why I can't get a X5 / Range Rover comfort on my 4Runner. I guess there is a limit what these common kits can do.

 

Well, I'm pretty sure X5 and RR aren't body on frame anymore. They're surely more comfortable on the streets, hence their popularity, but LOL at an X5 in the trails!

I agree on talking to a trusted shop.. problem is finding a trustworthy shop these days. That's why a lot of people like me agonize on the internet until we have sufficient data points to combat self-selection bias, noob-ness, etc. lol in other words read beyond it all and form an educated opinion ourselves... which also might be wrong lmao. Testing is the best method, and I'm sure a few of us envy your situation with the 3 4Runners as test subjects lol!

You are lucky in that you have Toytec in your back yard. I spoke with them on the phone yesterday actually, for the first time, and they definitely seem to know their stuff. It was a much more confidence-inspiring conversation than I've had with Toyota, Dobinsons, or Bilstein... for what it's worth.

 

Toytec have really nice people. I work with Hugo all the time. Most of my stuff start with Facebook messenger chat with him. He is very patient and friendly. If you can FB messenger is a easy method to send the links and ask do you guys install this / sell this or things like that.

As for my test subjects they are the worst enemy for my wallet. Everytime I do something for one I want to do similar to the other. Every time my brain says stop looking at the 4runner forum / fb group / youtube videos. I really need to control my money and behave like a responsible parent. LoL..

 

You'll get the most control out of the way your truck rides through shock valving and bypass shocks will give you the most valving control. That can get expensive if you're getting bypass shocks on all 4 corners. Bilstein 8100's offer a lot of valving control, but they also have their downsides. They're almost $1,000 per shock and the travel they offer appears to be a little on the short side.

Talking to a company like Accutune and having them custom valve a standard coilover would be cheaper and could probably get you pretty close to what you want.

 

After doing a lot of research and talking to several companies, I went with a set-up from Accutune, my thought is if I'm going to spend that kind of money for shocks (really any amount over Bilstein 5100's) I think it is the best way to go as they will set up the shocks for your ride

 

It's a very smart way to go. Valving makes a HUGE difference in ride characteristics.

 

Hey, we all need a hobby! Keeps you sane I bet.. especially with kids in the mix.

I'm sure Accutune and custom valving makes a difference, but no amount of suspension tuning will make a body-on-frame vehicle drive like a unibody SUV that has been tuned for street use by the factory engineers. The 4Runner is a "do it all" vehicle, and as such, will always have compromises.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and have a valid point, but what's the cheapest custom valved suspension from Accutune? $4000? That's quite a jump from, for example, a 6112/5160 combo, which is also tuned for the 4Runner, and comes out to just over a grand. I'm sure they sell fantastic stuff, and yeah that $4000 suspension will be nicer than the Bilsteins, but the law of diminishing returns is certainly personal.. and there.

Other shock companies have also "set up the shocks for your ride." The only difference is that they're tuned for the vehicle as well as the typical use / preference. A company like Accutune will tune for the vehicle AND you. Many don't need this, frankly. Not hating on Accutune or high-end suspension, but custom tuning could be considered a little unnecessary unless you are competing or using your vehicle professionally. Many guys are perfectly happy with their "out of the box" Kings. I think Accutune offers their tuning at no extra charge, which is awesome, but I haven't even really seen too many reviews out there about how much of a difference it can make over your standard Kings, etc. Valving makes a difference, yes.. but custom valving? If done right, maybe for a personal experience? I am sure that if there is some little valving adjustment that can be done to Kings to make them "better" across the board to all prospective buyers, Kings has already done it.

 

You do know that for example - the King's 2.5 with remote & 2" lift (non-KDSS) with a custom tune is $3,582.90 @ Accutune and the same set-up thru Toytec sells for $3,533.44 - so for the additional $49.46, you don't think you could tell the difference that Accutune would deliver the shocks vs "out of the box"??

 

Is this a fair quote for the 5100 set up? (Anything in here that isn't "necessary"?)

Once again, I am new and still learning, but lots to learn.

 

Not sure if that’s how much labor costs in your area (mine was $275 with alignment), but everything else seems spot on. You might be able to score a better deal for the UCA’s if you shop around and ask.

thats pretty much my setup, but I have fox 2.0 shocks in the rear as they allow to get the full use out of those 2” icon springs. The 5100’s are capped at 2” of lift, and the 2.0’s are for 2”-3” of lift. They’re valves differently but I can’t tell much of a difference.

 

If you are keeping at 2.5 in lift you would not need spc uca.
But that installation cost with SPC UCA is way way lower than what I pay at Toytec. I'd say go ahead.
I wonder what would be the softest rear springs? Icon / ome / toytec? To give you a soft ride.

 

Maybe? And even if so, would it be better? Maybe? I'm not saying it isn't worth while for some.. but for most.. I don't think it matters. Thinking that Accutune always adds value would equate to thinking that Kings out of the box are crappy for everyone.. obviously not the case. Accutune can't make the shocks "better" overall, only different. So if you want something different than the OE specs.. sure knock yourself out. Accutune obviously offers great value for that case!

 

Those prices seem good but if you are spending that much, why don't you replace your front springs? I wouldn't do what you've proposed here, personally. Most people only go with 5100's to save money... those people also avoid aftermarket UCA's for the same reason.

 

The quote says "Front Coilovers" which I assume that means shocks + springs. Is it not?

 

I took that as typical incompetence on the shop's part, since no springs are listed, and 5100's are not threaded. Plus, look at the price for that line-item..

 

I am not going to be going offroad weekly, nor would I hit any aggressive trails. Do you think UCA's are still necessary for me?

I was thinking of literally just getting the 5100's.. and new tires.. but sounds like that isn't the recommended route..

 

That’s what I did.. 5100s all around, alignment, and new tires. I’m very happy with my decision. I’ve done some light off-road which was great and a much better ride in general.

 

^ Yeah.. that's what I would do. Skip the UCAs. The biggest reason guys get UCAs is to help with alignment. This is really only necessary when you lift over 2 inches. How much of a lift are you after? Are you trying to "level" the truck, or do you like the slight forward "rake?"

5100's set to ~1" lift up front, 5100s in the rear, stock springs all around, stock UCAs, alignment, new tires.. call it Christmas.

 

I am thinking of lifting it 2 inches.

 

Why do you say that? I don't believe that is correct.

UCA's don't become necessary until somewhere between 2.5" - 3" of lift, generally. If you stay at or below 2.5" in front, stock UCA's should be fine.

I have 6112's in front and 5100's in back, and I'm pretty happy with them. I've put about 17K miles on them since April and abuse them occasionally. They're holding up fine so far.

 

UCA's don't become necessary until somewhere between 2.5" - 3" of lift, generally. If you stay at or below 2.5" in front, stock UCA's should be fine.

I have 6112's in front and 5100's in back, and I'm pretty happy with them. I've put about 17K miles on them since April and abuse them occasionally. They're holding up fine so far.[/QUOTE]


Got it.. yeah I am thinking of staying at 2inches. So you are riding with no UCA, and stock coils?
What size tires are you riding- any problems with alignment without the UCA?

 

I am at 2.4" but I went with UCA's in case I went higher in the future. The 6112's were ordered with medium duty coils due to the extra weight (bumper/winch).

Currently I am on 295/70/17's and have body mount chop, aftermarket mud-flaps, and caster maxed out.

 

Are you buying these ? Or its their price ? Not sure 2" icon springs work with the 51s at full extension ? But other than that seems fair !