I want a softer ride: Bilstein 5100's with stock springs?

I have a 2013 Tacoma Prerunner SR5 2.7 access cab

I don't tow anything or carry heavy loads in my bed or off road.

The stock suspension feels a bit harsh over bumps/potholes especially the rear. I have some rough roads on my work commute and it's beating me up a bit.

Basically I want to improve the ride quality so it's less harsh riding. All of my local custom truck shops said that going aftermarket would only make the truck ride more firm/harsh and that OEM is as soft and plush as it's gonna get.

Does anyone have Bilstein 5100's installed on an all OEM suspension ?

If so how's the ride? Better dampening than stock? Slighty stiffer but soaks up bumps better?

I'm definitely open to suggestions.

 

Well, I went ahead and ordered a set of 5100's all around from Toytec with a bushing set. I'll report back my findings after it's done. Since they're adjustable I'll set it to 1 inch lift on the front to level the truck a bit.

 

If you set them to get any amount of lift, you'll be pre-loading the springs which will equal a stiffer ride from everything I've read on here. You probably should've ordered a set of OME 885 springs too and then left the 5100s at zero if you wanted a softer ride and some lift.

 

Well then I will just stay on stock height settings .

I've read a lot of posts about people complaining that their OME setup is too stiff so I didn't wanna go there.

 

I have a 2012 SR5 4wd. I have the non-progressive springs in the front and the 4 leaf rear springs. I added 5100s in the front and rear. In the front I lifted 1.75 inches and the rear I used a 1.5" add a leaf. I couldn't tell any difference in ride stiffness between stock and lifted. The Bilsteins make the suspension feel more controlled, but its not rougher/stiffer at all

 

Well, my shocks arrive today. I'll put in the rears in myself and take the fronts to a shop so they can do an alignment as well. Good to know it's not stiffer

 

Any feedback on the install and ride performance yet? I'm interested in doing the level kit this year using the 5100's and may replace the rears as well

 

The 5100's definately give a softer more controlled feeling especially in the rear. It's a night and day difference under $600 total installed.

 

Is this what you bought?

"BILSTEIN HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE 5100 FRONT AND REAR 5100 SHOCK Part Number 05TACBILK" http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com...ble-5100-front-and-rear-5100-shock_p_31.html#

I'm looking to do the same (stock height, softer more controlled ride). Thank you!

 

I started out with 5100's set at 0 and stock springs and the ride was 100x better than stock. But then when I decided to lift the front by setting the 5100's at 2.5", the ride turned to crap. Super stiff and harsh.

So the moral of the story is: if you stay at stock ride height, it will be a huge improvement. But if you are looking to lift at all, make sure you do it with aftermarket coils and not setting the 5100's at something higher than stock height.

 

I made the mistake of lifting my truck on stock front suspension with a 3" spacer. WORST IDEA EVER. Yes, i think that the 5100's with stock coils will definitely help your stiffness, but keep them set at 0, otherwise you'll pre-load the springs and it will return back to the same stiffness as stock or possibly even more stiff. If you're looking for a level truck with a great ride... go with the 5100's with the OME 885 coil like bjboucher said^. To put it in perspective, the 5100's and OME 885's are basically like buying the truck with Upgraded Factory Suspension if you could... an inch taller ride in the front to level the truck, but maintain a softer factory ride quality. Plus Bilstein's look BA under any Tacoma!
I would definitely not recommend pre-loading the coils! You will hate the ride and it'll end up costing you more money and time to fix it in the long run, that's what I am currently dealing with at the moment.

 

I am running 2.25 spacer and 1.5 block in the back. I installed adj 5100 and 5160 rears leaving the spacers in and strut at 0 and the quality of the ride did not change at all IMO. I removed my front sway bar and it seemed to loosen things up just a bit. I am taking it to the dirt today so we will see how it performs off road.

 

"removed my front sway bar and it seemed to loosen things up just a bit" What?

Did you take it out?

 

yes I took it off. It is great off road.

 

I have a 2013 Tacoma and used 5100 bilsteins and old man imu coils. At the third setting, the ride is ridiculously rough. I also changed the upper control arms after hoping to help. It became smoother, but the preloaded coils at 2.5" still was hard as hell. I put the leaf package in the back too. So I'm banging all over the place.
Not happy after 3400$ of upgrades. Yes I'm higher but if I knew it was going to be so rough well I would have tried something else

 

Exactly like a go-kart. How was this the professional recommendation for lifting my truck? Was ther another option?