Newbie Suspension Question - Bilstein 5100

So I just picked up a 2020 SR5 Premium and have been reading into suspension upgrades for it. I'm not gonna be doing a whole lot of off roading but want to at least improve the stiffness of the ride and level it.

The consensus seems to be the 5100's are the best route for this but with people's experience, is it worth it to upgrade the coils to the old man emu's with it? What about UCA's, will those need to be upgraded also?

Appreciate any insight!

 

I went with Dobinsons and am very happy with them.

 

You should think about how you plan to use your rig and plan your build accordingly. If all you want to do is firm up the ride, reduce the nosedive and level it, the Bilstein 5100’s are a good choice that won’t break the bank.

I have a 2021 0ff Road and that’s exactly what I did and it made a big difference in the ride and leveled it to my taste. FWIW, I set the front shocks on the .85” setting and got 1” lift on OEM springs and UCA.

But, I decided to make my rig more off road capable and put together a plan to add sliders, skid plates, hybrid bumper, winch and expedition roof rack. Needless to say, this adds weight and I needed to upgrade the suspension to handle it. I ended up changing OEM springs to Dobinsons with a 2” lift in front and 1” lift in the rear that could manage the extra weight. I reused the 5100’s with the fronts set to the OEM height setting and let the springs do the lifting. Although it was not required, I changed to JBA UCA just to ensure I could get the alignment set appropriately.

I have finished the build and the set up is working well. It’s not a hard core off roader but more of an overland build.

So, if you change to the 5100’s to firm up and level but don’t go beyond in your build, they will be a good choice but can also be part of a bit more aggressive build down the road…

Cheers,
Bob

 

What set up with Dobinsons did you get?

 

Let's see more photos brother!!!

 

It really depends on your end game, seriously think about. Most guys start with I'm not going to do much offroad driving then after having you 4x4 for a bit and being on offroad forums such as this you start wanting more!!! Then you spend twice as much, I'm talking from experience brother. Alot of wasted money .
I say go big or go home!!!

 

More Pics? Sure - here are a few...
I've also added a UpTop Overland Bravo Rack and DiodeDynamic SS3 Pro fogs since these pics were taken...

 

Love the winch bumper

 

I agree with what others are saying about spending a little more for a better suspension.
If you're set on the 5100's, you shouldn't need to upgrade your UCA's. As far as coils go, I opted for the medium load Bilstein springs. I also have the Bilstein 6112/5160 set up. Which has been great thus far.

 

I went with 6112 set at 1.6 and 5100 in the with B12 springs to lift it 1 inch in the rear riding on falken wildpeaks 265s, I love the ride, but I have a rubbing issue in the front corners of the wheel well. So, I'm definitely changing the UCA's and do a diff drop to realign everything.

 

Sorry missed your question it is detailed in this thread:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/dobinsons-5th-gen-4runner-suspension-options.13289/page-6

 

You can just get bilstein 5100 or eibachs, to level it out and improve body roll/brake drive). No need for coils or uca. Now if you want like a 2.5" front lift 1.5" rear , coils will be needed as well as uca

 

Whats rubbing? Id reconsider

 

This will not correct your rub.

 

The fact these manufacturers sell these bumpers with terribly designed recovery points gives me anxiety.

 

When I'm backing up and I cut the wheel hard right or left on a slight incline it will rub on the very bottom corners of the plastic.

 

You have to trim where it rubs..you know cut/remove/bend/heat however you wanna do it. just tastfully trim

You do not need uca, or a diff drop with only 1.6" of lift.

 

Cut it a 1/2 inch dude. And be done. No one would even know. Its what i did.

 

This.

Look up the fender liner mod for our vehicles. It will give you enough clearance so you don't rub anymore.

Or, you could pay me the money you'd spend on the UCA's and diff drop and I'll do the fender liner mod for you

 

Thanks

 

Rubbing with stock tires and a lift? Somethings way off or alignment needs to be redone. No need to swap UCA or diff drop.

 

I have a 2012 with 1.75” lift in front running 285/70/17 and had to trim a little off the bumper to clear. 265’s should clear with ease since they are the factory tire and no lift

 

Are you sure they are 265’s and not 285’s?

 

Bilstein 5100's, OME 884's up front and Bilstein 2" springs in the rear. Falken Wildpeak 285/70's.

 

Definitely 265s I wanted to stay close to stock as possible for a little while, I hated the nosedive and body roll so changing the shocks was a game changer, it as more of a sports car feel to it now. I was hoping to avoid circumcising the fenders.

 

that is so strange they are that close with stock tires. I’ll have to take pics of mine in the morning and post my 265’s on my 2022 with a 2” lift for a comparison

 

Cool

 

heres one i had the day of the lift, bad angle but you can see all the room front and back.

 

I'm going to have another shop take a look at it, no need to rush.