Bilstein 5100 Front & 4600 Rear OK?

My stock suspension is worn out at 237K. I don't want to lift the truck, but my rear end is about 1" higher than my front unloaded. I bought a new set of 5100's for the front and new 4600's for the rear as I don't want to lift the back at all.

Will this cause any handling issues or problems? If so I can always sell the 4600's and get some 5100's. I read that to use the 5100's on the rear I'd need a 1" lift block or add-a-leaf.

 

Bump. There's got to be many people here with this combo.

 

I'm also curious about this combination. Did it end up working out?

 

You should be fine.

The main difference between the 4600 and 5100's is that the 5100's are adjustable height and silver instead of yellow.

Especially for on road performance, you won't notice a difference.

 

Hey jsabowabo,

Did you end up going with the mixed shocks? Curious how the ride is.

 

Also curious how this turned out. Thinking of doing the same

 

2017! Lol

not OP but I just did this and like it. It’s essentially level, front is technically higher by about 1/3” but appears level - Leaf springs / coils provide the lift. Rides buttery smooth next to the old stock stuff it replaced

Front:
-Bilstein 5100s
-OME 880 coils

Rear:
-Bilstein 4600s
-General Springs stock replacement leaf springs

 

Thanks for the reply! Think I am going to do exact same setup. Hoping it results in that “buttery smooth” ride, lol.

 

Godspeed! It really isn't very hard, just time consuming. The rear was worse, as the old stuff was all cold/rust welded together - You will need cutoff wheels to get the main eye bolts out and a propane torch for the shackle bushings. Also go ham on applying grease to get the new shackles and bushings in. Took me and buddy the better part of 5 hours.

The front was very easy, I reused the lower shock mount bolt as it came out easy enough. The top plate bolts are a bit of a pain, but if you apply PB Blaster ahead of time and invest in some ratcheting wrenches it's not too hard - Took me about 2 hours to do the LBJs and front shocks by myself - use a bottle jack in the wheel well to force the upper control arm down when lining up the lower shock bolt - way way way easier than using a crowbar

Here's what it set me back (less tools, locktite, lots of grease, and some cutoff wheels), YMMV based on vendor and specifics - but will likely be close



Note: there's an option for the lowest setting for the 5100/OME setup I bought (1-1.5") which is what I chose

 

Also I'd say 80-90% of the increased comfort came from redoing the leaf springs/rear suspension & new tires. Did those first before the front coilovers, and the added benefit from the front was marginal in the grand scheme - still glad I did it though. You'll need to get an alignment after you do the fronts.

 

I just bought a 99 Prerunner 2.7L auto 265/75/15 and looking to rebuild front and rear suspension. Looking for a good ride on the street and no lift. Looking at 4600 front and rear, what front and rear springs should I use? Do they sell complete front struts ready to install?

 

My son’s 2016 with the 2inch lift have the 4600 Bilstein, now over 100,000 miles.
He may need to get new shocks soon? Looking at the 5100s.

Shock Surplus mention very little difference in ride. The 5100’s may feel stiffer riding, slightly more? The 5100 is adjustable. Vs non adjustable 4600.

Staying with the 4600 the ride should feel the same, maybe better being new?

 

They are the same shock, just different looks. You can put 5100 on your rear with no lift
We put 4600 on my Dads 2000. I confirmed they are the exact same function/quality as 5100, just no lift (Front) and different color. (Its been a while and can't find the email from Bilstein)
On 5100s only the fronts are adjustable. The rears are made for 0" to 1" lift.

 

Thank you for the corrections.

 

Springs provide lift so unless your front is sagging, you wouldnt need new ones, just new shocks. When I put new leaf springs on the rake was pretty substantial due to my front spring sag so replaced the whole coilover. As far as I could find, the only prebuilt bilsteins paired with ARB/OME springs and provided mild front end lift. If you went stock height you'd either reuse your old coils (just bring it to a shop to swap the 4600s in if you dont want to use a spring compressor) or you could buy cheapo prebuilts like Monroe quick struts. For leaf springs, General Spring is the only "stock height" equivalent I know of.

4600s are a good choice.

 

Thanks, I’m going to start with 4600s.

 

Google - The difference between Bilstein 4600 vs 5100. Lots of great infos there. Some great explanations.
They are both consider excellent shocks, each has it’s purpose.

Bilstein has a great reputation and reasonable pricing.

Most of us do not have the availability to test each brand , and models. We do relied on the more experienced users and dealers. It would be nice to be able test each one before we buy it.

Not like a furniture store , where you can sit and test each couch, bed , etc.
Tacoma world users , thank you for sharing your experiences.

 

If you don't know the age of your Lower ball joints, do those at the same time (very easy with a pitman arm puller), get Toyota OEM. I think McGeorge Toyota has them for <$140/side

 

Good info, Just ordered all OEM parts and have 4600 front and rear on the way also.