Ride Quality 5100 vs 6112

I would like to hear from people that have ACTUAL experience switching from 5100's to 6112's (or the other way around if that has happened) in the front. Yes, I have searched far and wide, even tundra and 4runner forums. Either people don't elaborate at all on their switch or they simply just say not to bother with the 5100's. But why?? Are the 6112's really THAT much better than 5100's for "normal" use? Specifically in overall daily ride quality, not racing through trails.

My goal is to have a better ride than my current setup and lift it some of course. I will be adding sliders soon also. I drive mostly street, rough gravel roads here and there and I do off-road but I'm not bombing down trails like I'm in a SXS. Most is slower off-road and somewhat technical trails. I am wanting to stick with Bilstein due to the price, OEM like reliability, and the fact that I simply won't use the capability of a $2k+ suspension from Fox/Icon/King.

The rear setup will be Dakar Medium leafs with B110's, period, dot. I want the travel and nothing else compares in this price range, 5160's have almost 3" less down travel and that seems like a deal break. Especially since I haven't found anyone saying the 5160 rides far superior to the B110's or if they say they do they are generally switching from OEM leaf packs to an aftermarket leaf pack, which we all know suck!

My current setup:
2015 DCLB TRD Sport with 3rd gen TRD Off Road front struts and rear shocks. This improved the ride quite a bit and gave a little lift (I am the author of the 3rd gen suspension on a 2nd gen on the 2nd gen page).

I have some hand-me down/used parts I've collected for a bit:
-Used Toytec Ultimate Coilovers (one bad strut, tried contacting Toytec multiple times to see if it's a standard 5100 or a specific one....but no answers)
-Used Toytec/Bilstein combo (also one bad strut, see above....same situation!)
-3rd gen front struts (currently on the truck) that are 700lb springs from the factory
-OME Dakar Meduim leaf packs, both are the + designation (15K miles or so on them, still look new)

So, the biggest question if it were you in my boat, what would you do?
-Get new 5100's for one of the 2 sets of Toytecs
-5100's with the stock 3rd gen coils (700lbs)
-6112's.....

Fill me in guys! I'm sure I am not the only one in this position.

 

Monday bump!! curious as well

 

Thank you! I knew I wasn’t the only one!

 

So, different platform, but maybe still helpful.

I have run both 5100 and 6112 front setups side by side on 2 3rd Gen 4Runners, and then just for fun I have switched the shocks from one truck to the other for comparisons sake.

To me the 5100 is fine, but was a good bit stiffer valved than the comparable 6112. I prefer the ride of the 6112, it feels more controlled and much more smooth. The 5100 feels quite a bit stiffer and like it actually dampens less, which makes sense since the body on the 6112's are quite a bit bigger, think 2.0" shocks vs. 2.5".

 

Thank you!!! That is really good information! I have been thinking about settling on the 5100’s. But I picked up a second job during this whole covid thing and may just get the 6112’s. We’ll see.

It makes perfect sense the way you put it and I have thought that as well but don’t have any experience on the same vehicle with the two. I have ridden in and driven a few trucks with 5100’s, mostly chevys. I just haven’t seen many people comment on how much of a noticeable difference there was. Most people just say 6112’s are much better and leave it at that......

 

To get truly good dampening ability you need a large piston, 6112's have a 60mm or 2.65" body, so yes its a good deal better at its job than 5100's you don't have to be bombing down trails to get the benefits of a good suspension. Just curious, where did you hear that 5160's have 3" less down travel?

 

That makes sense, but in daily driving is where I am wondering if it's a large enough difference to justify almost 4 times the cost. I'm by no means a cheap a**, but I am also all about the best value to performance ratio. Thats why I am looking at Bilstein because I will likely never use a high performance suspension to its potential, so at that point it would just be paying substantially more for the bling factor. haha

According to Wheelers and Headstrongs website:

5160
Collapsed - 14.22"
Extended - 24.06"

B110 5100 (also known as "extended lenght 5100's)
Collapsed - 16.34"
Extended - 27.28"

So while there is a loss in up travel, the down travel is a little over 3" more. To me this has 2 advantages.
1. Less up travel keeps you off of obstacles for more ground clearance.
2. More down travel (if your leaf springs allow) for a greater ability to keep tires on the ground for traction.

For me these advantages far outweigh the dampening in the rear. But I have also read many times that the 5160 and 5100 is very close or the same valving just with the addition of the reservoir. But since I don't plan on any high speed offroad adventures the 5100 in the rear should suit my needs without any problems. Also I rarely have significant amounts of weight in the bed while wheeling.

 

What springs were you using with the 5100’s? What clip setting were they on?

What clip were the 6112’s on?

 

I do not have either yet, trying to decide. I am leaning towards the 6112's though.

 

Both of my setups (5100's and 6112's) are with 1st Gen Tundra shocks on the 3rd gen 4Runners. I chose to run Tundra shocks because they are valved for a slightly heavier vehicle. I have also run a 3rd gen 4Runner specific version of the 5100 and was not satisfied with the valving for my taste.

5100's are setup with OME 881's on the 1st and 2nd perches (Passenger /Driver)
6112's are using a King 16x3x 600 lb/in spring on the 1st and 2nd perches again.

For reference the rear setup on both trucks is identical; ToyTec Superflex springs with Tokiko Black FJ80 shocks. Both trucks run similar tire and wheel combos as well. One truck has the front sway-bar removed, SPC UCA's, runs full armor front, rear with tire swingout, sliders, skids, winch, etc. The other truck is stock except for suspension upgrades. The reason I switched shocks between the trucks is because of the difference in loadouts and weight distribution. The truck with more weight is obviously pushing the shocks harder. But I would say that the ride quality is good on both, very comfortable, even on the stock-ish truck without much weight.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the details on both rigs.

 

Thats great info!! Did you use the Tundra spring on the 6112 as well? I never thought of a 6112 from another vehicle. Although I do not have any armor or plan on any more than a winch and slime-line style bumper.

 

For 1st gen Tacoma, 1st gen Tundra and 3rd gen 4Runner the front suspensions share most components, so using shocks from one platform on another can work pretty well. If I'm not mistaken this is also true for 2nd/3rd gen Tacoma, and 4th/5th gen 4Runner.

I did use Tundra 6112s on my 4Runner, but I used an aftermarket spring from King, so that I could choose my spring rate. You can run a 2.5" coil-over spring on the 6112 shock body. But it would require some more research as to what rate and free height would be appropriate for your setup. Also you would need access to a spring compressor in order to dial in your setup, since choosing a new spring would probably require some experimentation. This is where true coil-over shocks have a distinct advantage over Bilstein offerings. Turning an adjusting ring is much easier than removing a shock from the vehicle, compressing the spring adjusting and then re-installing.

 

That's interesting, I really didn't price out the difference between 5100/6112 5160 but the wheelers kit I bought has the 6112/5160 all pro leafs, super bump stops, u bolt flip, extended brake lines, carrier drop, for 1,350 bucks on sale so for me it was a no-brainer, just looking at the 6112 screams super beefy, but i don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

Dang! Thats a lot of great knowledge!! I knew the 1st gen Tacoma/Tundra and 4runner info from back when I worked as a tech at a toyota dealer. But I've been out of that since 2009 (full time Air National Guard since then). I believe you're right about the front suspension one the 4th/5th gen 4runner on our tacomas. I know the rear is different in both shock mounting and that 4runners use coils instead of leaf springs. I just never thought of looking into different models for possible options.

I wonder if the coils on the Toytec Ultimate Coilover springs would fit the 6112? I have a set of the Ultimate Coilovers that have bad struts. My assumption is that maybe the spring would fit since it is designed to go around the sleeve which is probably close to 2 1/2". I think they are 620lb coils and would likely be longer than the 600lb coil that the 6112 comes with. I am probably just WAY overthinking this. But I like doing things outside of the box as well.

 

Watch this, 6112 starts at 12:20 @TacoFergie
I had 6112 and now 8112s. I had 5160s which is a 5100 with a resi. Now have 8100s rear.

Didn’t like the 5160s cuz they ride horrible with a loaded bed offroading. Pavement is fine.

6112 is a good setup and is 2xs the shock of A 5100. Once upon a. Tome 6112s could be bought for 400-500 if you shopped around, they have grown in popularity. Good luck
https://youtu.be/QKXj0jBenIk

 

I ended up going with the 6112’s for the front and I’ve got some B110’s (I’ve got Dakar EL095R leafs) and supporting mods coming for the rear. Picked them up on RockAuto for $603. Just installed the front today. Not gonna lie, I’m stanced like a bro-dozer right now till the rest of my lift comes in. Luckily I’ve got a lifted beater Subaru to drive till then!! I know these are no 8112’s (my dream setup) but for the price they will be more than I can use. I have no desire to go King, Icon or Fox since I won’t use them to their ability. Not saying they aren’t great, just not worth spending that kind of money at this time in life.

These 6112’s are no joke though!! Yes it’s Hamm’s, yes I love Hamm’s (get off my back hipsters) and that’s a 16oz tall boy for comparison!!!


Here’s my run around beater car in the meantime while I’m waiting on rear components and alignment.