Bilstein shocks

Tacoma

 

See if you can get the shocks off someone with a TRD Off Road that has lifted their truck. You can generally get it really cheap, keep the same height and it'll ride smoother. Keep an eye out in here.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/3rd-gen-tacoma-parts-marketplace-2016.202/

 

Which bilsteins? The ones from the Off Road? If so, you'll get a softer feeling ride, at high speeds on streets and low speeds on speed bumps and offroad, at least relative to the hitachis you've got on now.

Better options? Depends on how much you want to spend. I've heard good things about the 5100s and even better things about the 6112/5160 setup. You can set these to factory ride height and just reap the benefits of better valving and thicker bodies. Keep in mind the 6112/5160s are digressive shocks, as opposed to the more common progressive shocks, which means they'll be smoother at higher speeds than progressive, but harder at slower speeds.

 

For future reference, the 4600s and the 5100s are the same shock internally. There would be no benefit to running 5100s set at 0 vs just running the 4600s.

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/bilstein-5100-vs-bilstein-heavy-duty.cfm

 

I noticed a pretty drastic improvement in how my truck rode when I swapped to the 6112 front and 5100 rear suspension. I only set mine to one notch up in front to get the truck level. Worth the money in my experience.

As you can see, it still looks pretty stock.

 

I have 3rd gen 5100s all around. Front at the first notch (0.65"). Gave me an almost level ride, slight front rake. I think the ride is better with the 5100s, seems smoother. If you don't want any lift I would still suggest the 5100s and just leave them at the default setting.

 

Thanks for informing me. I guess the only difference is adjustability.

 

I just replaced the stock hitachis with TRD OR Bilstein takeoffs and 'stiff ride' leafs this past weekend. Ride quality is very much the same, however the damping characteristics and how the truck handles consecutive bumps has significantly improved.

Edit: My hitachis are the SR5/Limited variety. Yours, on the Sport model, are much stiffer.

 

I've run the factory bilsteins on my Trdor, 5100 at zero, 0.65, and 1.1. Factory shocks to 5100 at lowest setting is two different rides. No way they are valved the same. I'd recommend running at no higher than 2nd notch. Biggest difference between the two that I noticed is the decrease in nose dive and body roll with the 5100. Definite improvement for me.

 

If you go with the stock OR shocks I would also get the coils too. My TRD 4x4 DCSB OR ride was as comfortable a ride as I've driven. I have replaced it with the Toytec Boss 2.0 for lift purposes but that stock ride was smooth.$.02

 

That's what I noticed most. Less front end dive on hard braking, less body roll, and smoother ride over washboard gravel roads.

 

I believe the spring differences between models depends on long or short bed.

 

I'm faced with a similar situation. I have a pup that gets car sick, and it's all the reason I need to rebuild my entire suspension. I also have a bunch of armor coming that going to weigh me down even more.

I was looking to smitty's lift thread w/ maybe a set of Deaver J66's in lieu of the AAL. I have no clue how this will ride, though.

 

Iirc OR models have progressive coils and all other models have linear rate springs. Also the reason the OR will ride stiffer with more preload. Not positive on this but fairly sure

 

I posted my TRD OR shocks on the markerplace a few days ago if you're interested.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2017-trd-or-suspension-for-sale.496410/

 

According to Toyota parts breakdown, the part number between the OR and SR5 coils are the same.

 

Thanks for throwing the facts in, I was wrong

 

No worries man!

 

I absolutely cannot stand the low-speed braking nosedive on my '15 TRD OR DBL Cab and have been struggling with the level of suspension upgrade needed to resolve it. I'm not really interested in a lift at this point (don't want to look too doofy with stock wheels and tires)...although leveling the front would probably help with weight transfer and nosedive, so I am interested in bumping the front up a bit in that sense...

I've been looking at the usual coilover suspects, but my question for Silentshredr and JBecker is whether or not the nosedive and body roll improvements were the result of only a shock upgrade using stock springs, or did you guys also upgrade the front coils along with the shocks?

Thanks in advance.

 

I have the exact same question as ydnapluk. I have a DCSB Sport (Hitachi shocks) and would like to soften the ride a little bit. For now, I'm not interested in a lift, but when it comes time to put on new tires I'll probably go larger than stock and will probably want to lift at that time. When and if I lift, I'll probably go a maximum of one and a half inches. I've been looking at the 5100's but should I also consider replacing the coil overs at the same time? Keeping in mind that my primary goal is to soften the ride.

I also thank you in advance.

PS I've read so much information on TacomaWorld about suspensions, my head's gonna explode.