4600s or 5100s, That is the question

I know this has been a subject that pretty much beaten to death, but I am going to ask some specific questions based on my specific use-case. Thanks in advance for you insight.

I have a 2007 TRD OR double cab w/ 93k miles and it’s time for new shocks. The truck is completely stock wearing 265/75/16s. I have no intention of lifting it or needing any larger size tires. I have given some thought to leveling the front for no other purpose other than aesthetics. The ability to level weighs very little into the equation but would be a nice to have option. The truck sees minimal off-road use. Off-road being mostly muddy logging roads in middle Georgia versus rock climbing. I feel my current OEM Billies/4600 replacements are plenty adequate for my off-roading needs. I also don’t pull or haul heavy loads with the truck.

A smooth street ride with good handling is appreciated/desired.

With that said, my quandary is whether to replace the OEM Billies with 4600s or 5100s. There doesn’t seem to be a significant price difference between the two sets when bought in the front/rear package deal. In fact, Headstrong as well as some others have a 5100 package for $340 which seems to be less than you would pay for 4600s. Maybe I am missing a 4600 package deal somewhere.

I am hoping some of you with stock height or maybe leveled only Tacoma’s with 5100s can answer the following questions…

1. With the 5100s is the ride noticeably different from the OEM/4600s?

2. Does the 5100 have at the minimum the same travel, up and down, as the OEM?

3. When going from stock height to leveled is there any difference in the ride quality?

3. Based on the use-case described above would you go 5100s or 4600s and why?

Thanks again!

 

5100s are 4600HDs for lifted trucks.

If you aren't lifted, no reason for 5100s.

 

I'd go 5100, at minimum I think you'd get an extra 1" of down travel in the rear and you have the option to level later if you wanted to. I'd at least do the .85 setting with your stock springs, or you can set them at zero for the time being. Like you said they cost basically the same.

They're supposedly valved the same as 4600's so the ride should be similar, most people say the aftermarket 5100's ride alot better than the factory TRD 4600s. I had both side by side this past weekend for my dad's tundra and the 5100's seemed beefier aswell, they cost him an extra $45 over the 4600's. We've got his on the highest setting for 2.5" of lift and he loves it, said it rides much better than stock with the spacer lift his truck came with.

 

I swapped the stock shocks out for 5100s when I first got my truck(07 DCLB TRD Sport). I'm currently running the billies @2.5 with stock coils and the ride is noticeably stiffer than stock, which was expected, but I actually prefer the ride...makes it feel more like a truck then the stock kit did. I plan to switch out to some heavier coils in the future and ill drop down the settings on the billies at that point to keep the height the same and that should dampen the ride a bit. Haven't yet switched the rear shocks but it is about that time, I think ill be throwing 5100s back there as well. Overall I'm very happy with the 5100s and if you want to level your truck with a stock rear end just set the rings to 1.75 and you're good to go, I'm sure you'll be happy with the ride.

 

One thing i'm wondering is if it's still stiffer on the higher settings with non-TRD factory springs. I've heard people mention with linear springs it doesn't get stiffer as you go higher on a 5100, but with progressive springs like the TRD off-road comes with the more you preload them they stiffer they get. Something to think about. I'm assuming base models come with linear springs.

 

Thanks for the replies. "Ride quality" is certainly a subjective thing on this forum. I'm looking for a smooth (not stiff) ride.
Other than having the ability to level, I'm not sure the 5100s offer me anything and in fact might make for a harder ride.

 

Yes.

 

I have the Bilstein 4600 original shocks and read this and other threads trying to decide if I should replace them with same, or the 5100. I just got off the phone with Bilstein company in Southern CA and they said that if I am happy with the 4600, and I am, then stick with them. They said the 5100 is valved differently and will give a little bit stiffer ride. They also said what others here have said regarding lift, adjustments, etc. So since I like the 4600 after 93k miles and not interested in a lift, I will stick with them.

 

5100s, trust me. Don't waste the time or money, just get the 5100s and be done with it forever.

 

5100's all the way.

 

Exactly what happened to me. Except it was 6 months lol

 

And your reason?
After 93k miles with the 4600 I really like them so why change?

Also, the Bilstein rep I spoke to said the 5100 rides stiffer and I definitely do not want a stiffer ride -already plenty stiff for me.

 

His logic is counter intuitive.

If nobody is lifting or planning to lift, get 4600s for dirt cheap as OEM takeoffs.

There is zero benefit to 5100s on a stock height truck.

 

I ran 5100’s at .85 to level and rode nice. stiffer but much better ride. added 3 leaf add a leaf and took 5100’s to1.75 and i love it. yes stiffer ride but no rebounding on bumps. rides like a truck i do muddy logging roads and like it. but it is firmer and stiffer.

 

My truck came with Bilstein 4600s and I replaced with 5100s. Granted 2 of the 4600s were blown but ride is much much better, especially on bumpy forest roads.

Overall, the 5100s are a larger diameter shock. More fluid and more surface area of the shock gives you better heat capacity, so it won't overheat.

 

Why ask if everyone already knows what they want.

 

They don't feel stiff, they feel like good/strong new shocks haha. Honestly if you're riding on OEM shocks there's no point in going to 4600s in my opinion. I felt no difference at all. But the 5100s, once given time to "break in", feel great. Much better control and rebound. Overal I love the way the truck rides now.

TL;DR Version:

4600s feel like little to no improvement.
5100 feel fantastic, strong but not harsh.
The price difference isn't really that much.


Back Story:

When I was still pretty new I read tons of posts or people said they regretted getting the 4600s and said to get the 5100s. I figured for my needs the 4600 would be fine, but I ended up in the same predicament as all the people I read about...

So anyway, again I say I get to 5100s and be done with it forever.

On a side note I also recommend new Dakar leaf springs and extended 5100s. Then get wheelers' superbumps in the back (and front).
Use the Superbumpers with spacers (you'll need to math it up) to make sure that the rear shocks can't over compress. Then the rear axle can flex a bit more for better ground contact and won't jerk the damn truck when you go over speed bumps with a bit of speed (as in, faster than crawling speed).

Profit.

 

Thanks for the input. Maybe I will go for the 5100 after all. They might be good because I have a full time 4 wheel popup camper(shown in my avatar) that puts my truck about 400 pounds over its GVWR when the camper is fully loaded with gear, water,etc. I got the camper 25k miles ago when the truck had 68k miles and it just had new leaf springs installed by Toyota as part of a recall. When the camper was installed I had a progressive leaf pack added so now has 5 leafs.

BTW, I got a quote from a local garage to install front and rear 5100, including alignment, for $750.

 

I would absolutely with all that load going on, you want control not jello! Hey when you get the shocks I would just install the rear ones yourself, even with my health issues and fatigue I am able to do it. The front shocks? Forget about it, let the shop do it unless your fit & really experienced with this stuff. ha-ha. Again as mentioned before I would get the extended rear 5100s so your rear won't be topping out the damn shocks over every speed bump. Then just wheeler's super bumps with spacers to ensure the bumps stop the axle BEFORE it fully compresses the shock. Profit! Also wheeler's super bumps are AMAZING and really reduce the impact, feels like a cloud when the rear touches down.
Go ahead and add em to the front as well, might as well max it out with quality.

Assuming your new leafs lifted the rear, you also might as well change the front coils... this is what happened to me haha. I put on dakars and the rear jumped up 5 inches and later settled down to 4". Truck looked goofy and it made the gas gauge read oddly I guess because the gas was all in the front. Honestly, 2-3" of lift should just be stock because the ground clearance you get is fantastic. Looks so much better IMHO.

No chance in hell of bottoming out with a 3" lift unless you slam a steep driveway/road at 100 mph like a nutter.

On a side note, $750 seems pretty steep unless that includes the shocks? Place I got my taco from charged $150 to change the front shocks. As mentioned above install the rears yourself for $0 and 1-2 beers.
Get an alignment on sale with the 3 rear warranty after the shocks are installed.

Then take her for a spin!

 

What model is the stock bilstein shock on a 2013 trd sport? 4400?