Bilstein Shocks?

I’m looking at adding a pair of Bilstein 5100 shocks to the front of my stock 2021 T4R SR5 to level out the front rake. Does anyone that added aftermarket front shocks recommend getting all 4 shocks replaced with the same brand or does it have little to no affect having stock Toyota shocks on the rear and aftermarket up front.
Thanks.

 

I have added Bilstein 5100 to all the Toyotas I have owed, Tundras, FJs and 4 runners. The replacement was done right after purchase and all 4 were replaced. The 5100 gave me the height I like but the ride and handling are the best features of the shocks. You could do the front, get the level you want and later do the rear.

 

I’m guessing there were no warranty issues with swapping out the factory shocks? What height did you raise them to?

 

It's recommended to run the same type of shocks front and rear so that there's no imbalance in how it rides. But you don't have to if you don't want to. You wouldn't run different tires front and rear.

You can also buy new 1" or 1.5" coils and run them on the stock struts instead of changing them out.

 

Running 5100's on front and KYB on rears. Had 5100's on rear and last year had one leak. Went KYB route to try and soften up rear (didn't work) and no ill effects. Have the 6112's on the Tundra with factory rear shocks and coachbuilder +1 shackles and rides like a dream.

 

The nose dive when braking was so bad that I replaced the factory shocks. I also wanted to level the truck. I had Bilstein 6112 with ToyTec adjustable coil overs in front, and 5100s in back. What a difference! Toytec setup the coil overs for leveling. Ended up with about a 2 inch lift in the front, and I couldn't be happier.

 

Did the 5100’s in the rear raise the ride height at all? I’d like to leave the rear ride height alone and just lift the front to balance it out. I thought I read somewhere even the factory setting on the bilsteins raised the rear height a bit.

 

I don't think it did. The factory springs are still in the back. If it raised the back, I can't tell, and I have pictures before and after.

 

What brand are the factory shocks on an Off Road (or ORP)? Are they acceptable if you are not doing hard crawling? Just driving logging roads , that can be rutted up and muddy?

 

tokico twin tubes. theyre not terrible on fire roads but the dampening limits start showing up if the trail gets real chunky.

 

I have a 2021 TRD OR and replaced the factory shocks with 5100’s front and rear shortly after taking delivery. I set the front 5100’s at the .85 setting and got 1” of lift in the front to level the vehicle. The rear height remained unchanged since it still had the OEM springs. The 5100’s firmed up the handling and greatly reduced the nosedive.

I would recommend changing all 4 shocks so that you get balanced performance on all 4 corners…. Just my take on the OP’s question….

Cheers,
Bob

 

BobbyB, so the 5100s lift the front about 1” in the setting you selected. I guess this makes any potential rubbing of slightly oversized tires less likely? I know a 4 Runner owner who installed 275/70/17s and said he got slight rubbing behind front tires and therefore did a slight lift to his vehicle? There is a chart on the forum saying 275/70/17s don’t rub. So I’m a little confused. Additionally, there seems to be a correlation to the needle bearing issue and “lifted vehicles”. Is the 1” lift from the 5100s something that would exacerbate the needle bearing issue”? I am getting an ORP is couple weeks and will definitely be changing tires quickly. Just kicking around the idea of shocks also. I realize I can leave the 5100s at stock height. Finally, has anyone experience a dealer refusing warranty claims by installing 5100s at any height setting? Seems to me if we deviate from stock dimensions (ride height) we may be vulnerable to a driveline warranty claim within the 60 month/60,000 mile power train warranty? Thanks!

 

I run Bilstein front & rear, 3/2 lift, different springs: front OME stock load, rear ICON coils.
Recommend matching all four shocks, performance has been pleasant.
Goodluck

 

I just did stock coils in front with 5100s at 2.5" and 1.5" bilstein coils in rear with 5100s. Rides like infinity times better lol. Oh 265 70 17 falken wildpeak at3 so stock size I might go up to 275 not sure yet.