Bilstein 6112/5100 or 5100’s all around?

Hello all. I’m totally new to this but I just bought a 2021 4Runner SR5 Premium. To be honest I really am just building a mall crawler that will spend most of its time ON the road but I still want it to look mean and have really good ride quality. I’m planning on switching the stock tires for 285/70/17 WP at3’s. And I want about a 2.5 inch lift in the front while still maintaining a slight rake in the back. More leveled for sure but still just a little higher in the back. Of course I’ve read lots of threads that say 5100’s all around are a good choice for ppl who aren’t really gonna go off road too much. But is it crazy for me to do the 6112/5100 setup just because I frickin wanna? Will I even notice the difference between 6112’s and 5100’s if I’m just driving on the highway? Help! Include pics and specs

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! You put any combination of shocks on you want to! In the end YOU wanted them, and YOU paid for it, and if YOU want sell the 4Runner later, it may mean something to the potential buyer that it has an upgraded suspension. Have fun!

 

Welcome!

 

For the tires are you wanting the falken wildpeaks at3? If so they have been discontinued and they now have the AT4w.

 

I have a pretty basic setup for Mall Crawling, Eibach stage 1 truck lift. On the other hand i have a 3rd gen with 5100s all around which i think ride great. I'd be more partial to bilsteins. as far as springs, EMUs are a great pair to that.

 

My SR5 spends 85-90% of the time on pavement and I really enjoy the drive I get with the 5100s.

 

@tameImpala if any, how much lift and what springs did you pair with the 5100’s?

 

do it!! 6112s in front and 5100s in rear. You wont regret it

 

what is the clip position in the front and did u upgrade the rear springs?

 

6 on driver and 4 on passenger side.
My stuff: 2” lift Bilstein 6112 w/600 lb coils front, 1.5” lift Eibach T13 coils rear, Bilstein 5100 rear shocks, TRD skidplate, TRD stainless catback w/black TRD side exhaust, TRD shifter handle, Weathertech bug deflector, 20% tint front, LED door bulbs, 285/70/17 Falken WP AT3, Energy Suspension front bumpstops, SSO Slimline Bumper w/ Badland Shackles, Durobumps 4.25” rear

 

I set the front to the first clip which is about an inch of lift. I didn’t use any aftermarket springs, just reused the stock oem ones.

 

My 6112/5100 set up is pretty much the same as TrailSpecial22. Clips 6 and 4. Same T13 rear spring etc... Running Method 703 and BFG 285/70/17. Good luck with your decision!

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/bilstein-5100s-pics-with-settings.12877/

 

I'd go for the 6112's in front. Also, check out Eibach as another popular value option.

 

The only problem I’ve had with 6112 in front is they feel so good that they make the 5100s in back feel bad in comparison.

 

I agree with this. I wish Bilstein made a rear shock equivalent to the 6112. I always assumed it was a result of running heavy load springs in the rear, but it's good to hear that i'm not the only one.

 

I’m going to swap in 5160s to see if that’s a better match.

 

I felt this way when I put 5100's on the rear of my FJ but 5100's on rear of my 4runner feel nice. On the FJ they seemed to push the rear up on a bump at highway speeds. Maybe wrong spring /shock combo. Didn't feel like that when I ran Icons. But Icons leaked and had to temporarily put 5100's in the rear.

 

I’ve used them with both the stock springs and with the b12 springs. Don’t get me wrong, they don’t feel bad. In fact they feel notably better than stock, but they don’t feel as good as the 6112 in front. To me they seem like they have a little too much low speed compression and not quite enough rebound damping to be a great match for the front. It makes them feel sorta brittle in comparison. I don’t notice it much, if at all, on the road. But when I’m pushing them harder off-road it’s apparent. I’ll know more in a few weeks when I put the 5160s on and see if it’s an improvement.

 

please follow up, Id love to hear how you like the 5160’s. I might swap over as well in the future.

 

How do you like the icon’s? Do you think they’re worth the money?

 

I had the 5160s installed this week and bumped the 6112s from first clip to third clip. The truck felt great before but it feels even better now. The rear damping is a better match for the front, it’s smoother, and the .7” added to the front improved the stance.

It was a worthwhile experiment to try the 5100s first, but I should have bought the 5160s from the start.

I guess now I have backups in case a 5160 starts to leak.

 

Icons were great. Nice ride and good off road. Yes, worth the money. Until they leak.....

 

Any clearance issue with running 285?

 

Damn....somebody brand new and you throw a pic like that is just gonna make him scream out "Take my money!" and collapse on the floor

Did you notice any negatives with the heavier springs with minimal weight? I presume you purchased that setup anticipating future upgrades (bumper, etc)?

 

Add me to the list of those interested in following the 5160 info

 

haha!!

I Purchased that set up based on what to learned from my 2011 SR5 which only had 5100s all around. That picture doesn’t show it but I have a SSO full hoop bumper on the front.

and no negatives whatsoever with the set up on my 2022 trail

 

okay, that makes sense....did you have the bumper before or after the suspension upgrade? I'm going to do mine in stages and, of course, don't want the ride to get too harsh before the bumper gets done....if it ever does. Best laid plans, and all that

 

I Installed it I after did the suspension. And honestly, it felt the same before, and after the bumper went on. It’s so smooth.