Bilstein Stage 1 5100's vs TRD Offroad Bilstein

I kept the stock springs in front and they’ve been working well for my needs.

As I occasionally fill the bed with tools and equipment and tow a utility trailer and also purchased a canopy several months ago, it’s riding close to the bump stops at times. Air bags, AALs or new springs are in order.

 

look into Falcon/Terra Flex shocks. I have them and couldn’t be happier

 

Are these not a total different diameter?

 

This article says they are the same outer diameter and piston size, but to my eyes they are not. Something is wrong with this info. The 5100 are 51mm pistons not 46 like the 4600.

 

Dont change your springs, it voids the Bilstein lifetime warranty, rides like ass and is not necessary. The Bilsteins 5100 were designed to be used with the stock coils.

 

Actually ended up going with the Bilsteins and they are great. No issues so far and are amazing offroad for the price. Warranty worries? Not so far, but time will tell.

 

I just had Bilstein 5100 shocks and a rear add-a-leaf added to my 2021 SB DC TRD Offroad ( 2 inch lift) . I had the same set-up on my 2014 Tacoma. I am very happy with this upgrade. Lots of upside for a reasonably small cost. The truck corners so much better. Flatter and tighter on cornering with way less body roll. Can't wait to get out and try out the set-up offroad. Lots of Baja surf trip miles on my old truck ( now owned by my happy son) and that shock set-up never let me down.
My "old" shocks will be sold with 400 miles on them, if anyone is interested.
Kudos to Go Big Truck in Ventura for the great job with the installation.

 

Does anyone know how the 5100s compare to the TRD Sport Hitachi shocks in terms of ride quality?

 

I had an 09 Off Road and switched to 5100's I believe on the second ring, 1in lift. It was perfect for on road and light off-roading.
I currently have a 17 Sport with Hitachi's and I'm not a fan. 5100's go on tomorrow. This gen's shocks I believe have an extra notch. Still trying to decide between 2nd (.65) and 3rd (1.1) ring. I would like a 1 in lift but don't want to harsh the ride. I like firm not bumpy.

Any thoughts?

 

Just wondering, I have the stock Billsteins on my 2020 OR 4x4. I notice when going over uneven surfaces, bumps or dips at highway speeds (50-75mph), the rear feels a little bit "squirrely". Is this remedied with an upgrade in shocks alone? like the 5100's?

 

Might plant it a little better cause not as squishy as oem. But I would say more a characteristic of solid axle

 

And very little weight in the back

 

My 2002 Durango had a similar feeling but it was because all the rear bushings needed to be changed with 159K miles on it. When I replaced all the front and rear suspension bushings, the truck was more stable going over rough roads.

On my Tacoma, I notice this only on the highway.

 

I haven't had anything more than what I would expect from a pickup in terms of rear instability (and I've been told by a few people that I might try to drive it like a sports car). I'm not expecting it to handle like sports cars I've owned and driven in the past. As much as I'd like it's never going to compete to a gen 2 NSX.

 

finished my 5100 install. 1.1 in for the front and 5100's for the rear. Rides great

 

Are you having the front vibrations with only a 1.1" lift? Did you do the bushing upgrade?

 

In every one of these bilstein shock threads I get a kick out of how we are exclusively using on-road performance to compare off-road tuned shocks.

Has everyone watched videos of trophy trucks driving on the road? There is tons of body roll, brake diving, and the other stuff people complain about the stock OR suspension.

Additionally, if one of your main concerns is high speed handling on roads, raising your center of gravity by lifting your truck is not helping.

 

Preload does not make your front IFS suspension firmer, but if you raise it too high you run out of down-travel and that can cause problems. 2” works fine for me and many others; albeit I also have extended length shocks that give me more wiggle room.

 

All pickups except the Honda Ridgeline (any others?) have a solid rear axle, leaf springs, and shocks designed to carry a load. All of this is at odds with sports car like handling and general comfort.