5100 Bilstein fit on stock rear suspension?

Hey all,

I recently broke a rear shock and called up a shop for some alternative shocks to install into my truck that are a bit more heavy duty.

I now have Bilstein 5100 series shocks in my possession and installed one on the drivers side rear. Install was simple obviously but I have run into an issue with the shock body only being a couple inches or so from bottoming out the shock shaft. I came here and I am getting the vib that the 5100 series shocks are for a slightly lifted truck if I am correct? I hear that the shock mounts differ by .5" as well, could I have two slightly different 5100 series shocks and I put the wrong one on the drivers side?

I have been wanting to put new front springs in as they are very soft and collapse over minor bumps.

I am also thinking of a small lift if I go ahead and get new 5100's for the front along with new springs and maybe an AAL setup for the rear? Would this be the best bet for the truck. I dont want to raise the truck up to much, enough to fit the 5100's on the back, maybe 1"? and match the front 1". Are there any issues I would run into with the AAL and 5100's and springs on the front? New shackles, brake line modifications?

So basically, am I correct in that the 5100's are for a lifted truck. If so, is an AAL a good idea for the rear and if so, is 1" enough in the rear for the 5100's to work?

Truck see's logging roads and some basic trails

Chris,

 

My understanding is 5100s are for lifted applications, 5125s are for stock height. I recently put 5125s on my 2003 along with new leaf springs and have 5100 and OME 880s coils for the front in the garage waiting to get put on. With the new springs front and rear I'm expecting a slight lift once everything is on and broke in. This note is from Downsouth Motorsports site for info on the 5125 rear shocks in their 5100 front/5125 rear package: "NOTE: This shock set up is recommended for vehicles with no lift, or stock height in the rear. The collapsed dimensions are shorter than the 5100 rear shocks. Driver Side 8" Travel: Ext. 21.54" Col. 13.58" Pass. Side 8.5" Travel: Ext. 22.5" Col. 14.06".

 

This might help you.

Bilstein 5100
0" to 1.5" Rear Lift on NON-TSB leaf springs, Shock Part #

$91 24-186728 5100 Series Shock Absorber

24-186728
Extended Length: 22.94"
Collapsed Length: 14.02"

3" to 4" Rear lift, Shock Part # RCD/BE5-B110-T5
Extended Length: 27.28"
Collapsed Length: 16.34"

 

Are these the extended and collapsed measurements for the truck or the shocks? And what is Non-TSB?

Cheers!

 

I have got these model numbers of Bilstein 5100 series

BE5 D560 TO
BE5 D559 TO

I am wondering if anyone has the collapsed and extended lengths of these shocks? I cant find them on the Bilstein site.

Also, is there a standard compress/extended shock length in the trucks? I measured the other day and would like to compare to what it was from factory if possible?

 

Don't use the PN's that McPhiiil gave, while he is partially right, those are for 2nd gen tacomas.

Call DSM. they will get your the correct length 5100. normal ones are in fact TOO long for a truck that isn't lifted. DSM will hook you up or even just answer your questions. i used to know the PNs and travel numbers..but i have long since forgotten sorry.

5100s/5125s are the same shock. Just different lengths are available.

an AAL will work fine with the normal 5100s. That said, increasing the bump stop height will make them last longer.

 

I will contact them and see what they can come up with

What is the best way to test the measurements of my truck? Best, safest way to articulate the rear end to get accurate shock mount measurements?

 

If you have access to a forklift, that is the easiest way I have found.

 

If I add a progressive AAL 1.5" lift in the back, follow it up with a Bilstein 5100 1.5" lift in the front with new springs will I need to extend any brake lines etc? Any other work aside from the AAL and struts?

Here are the shock lengths I got from RCD.
F4-BE5-D559-T0 Collapse 13.93” Extended 21.63” (Drivers Side)

F4-BE5-D560-T0 Collapse 14.65” Extended 22.57” (Passenger Side)

 

I'll just add that while they look the same and are essentially designed the same the valving is actaully noticeably different. The 5100s are vehicle specific and the 5125s are not. Blackdawg I'm pretty sure you are aware of this, I just wanted to add this info so folks here are aware.

In terms of ride, the 5125s make for a stiffer ride whereas the 5100s ride quite a bit better.

 

Hmm... I wonder about whether this is true or whether it is an urban legend.

Below is a quote from DSM on this topic from a couple of years ago. I will acknowledge that things may have changed since then. However, I came to trust what Marco had to say. YMMV

edit: Here is the source thread.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/224363-there-difference.html

 

Any other method aside from a fork lift? I have the wheelers bump stops coming. After they get put in id like to measure the shock eyes but i have no access to a fork lift

 

look at my post again, I'm talking about the difference between 5100 and 5125, not 5100 and 5100 with an RCD label.

5100 when compared to 5125 are valved different, this is a fact and I have felt the difference myself doing a manual compression test. Anyone who says the valving is the same or they feel the same has no idea what they are talking about.

 

Which stops did you end up ordering from wheelers?....curious...

 

There are only the two types. There are RCD/Bilsteins, what folks on TW as 5100's and there are Bilstein 5100 series, which include 5125s. So 5125s are 5100s.

In Marco's DSM post, it was these two types of shocks he was referring to and it was what the thread was about.

 

yea 5100/5125/5150 are all basically the same.

5100s come in limited lengths.

5125s come in lots of lengths

5150s come in lots of lengths and valving types...or did..they are discontinued now. now 5160s do this and 5125s i believe come in a couple different valvings now

the RCD 5100s are barely any different. Different? yes..but not by much, not a drastic amount.

 

Those are the ones I ordered.

 

Put it this way man, if Marco from DSM says the 5100 and 5125 shocks are the same as far as valving goes he's wrong. The whole reason why I chimed in was to inform folks that if they get the 5125 shocks as an alternate to the 5100 shocks the ride will not be the same, the 5125 shocks ride stiffer. As mentioned before I know this because I have done a side-by-side test comparing the two.

 

any ideas what the stock toyota shock to shock mount lengths are compressed and extended?

 

I would disagree and say the two (5100 & 5125) are noticeably different, but that's just my opinion based on my own compression and rebound testing.