Bilstein 5100 on first gen

Hey Team, I'm new to the board.
I'm looking for new shocks for my 2003 4WD Taco. Primarily driven on the road, taking toys to the track/trails. I am looking for better handling on the roads, not rock crawling.

My question is for anyone who has installed the 5100 Bilsteins. How is the ride?

 

Better than stock but still stiff. If you're doing the adjustable up front too keep in mind the higher the lift setting the more pre loaded the coil is and will be stiffer as well.

Over all though I have liked them for the last 5 years on them.

 

Great handling, a bit stiff. But they get better with time

 

I bought mines with new coils in fall of 2020. Was pretty stiff with a 1in lift, but now have been softening up a bit more now. Feels good and I like how it handles turns

 

If you just looking for a stock ride height shock, why not the 4600.

 

Unless you plan on wheeling or lifting, just stick to the 4600s, and don't think twice about it.

 

How’s the ride of the 4600 compared to OEM? I changed tires to GY DuraTrac from A30s. Not looking to spend money without some type of gain. Thanks

 

I bought my truck used with 80k miles on it, original TRD shocks. Can't remember the brand name, maybe Tokiko The 4600 have a larger diameter body on them and I like the ride just fine. I might move up to a better Bilstien next time around but for now the 4600's can't be beat.

 

The 4600s are as near stock as you can get.

What kind of gain are you looking for?

It blows my mind that people obsess over spending $350 bucks on a complete set of 4600 shocks. 4600s have been the go to aftermarket replacement shock for these trucks for well over 20 years. It's such a small dollar amount of the grand scheme of vehicle ownership and upkeep.

 

Thanks for the feedback. With only 2500 miles on the truck— looking for opinions on the ride vs OEM. I have a money tree in my backyard so dropping the $350 isn’t a problem, either

 

I had 5100s with Toytec coils and loved it

 

This.

 

Well, your truck is a 3rd Gen.....this is touching on 1st Gen trucks where none of them should be running stock suspension due to age and/or mileage.

I'd venture to say your OEM setup is fine for the while but if you have specific questions, the 3rd Gen section would certainly be much more useful.

They should also be able to tell you what the biggest tire is you can fit with no lift.

 

Not sure how to answer this question since my Truck had 80k miles on it when I purchased it. still had the factory pencil thin TRD shocks, so I replaced them with 4600's. I've been content with how the truck rides. Maybe next time I'll upgrade.

 

Upgrade is a misnomer. The factory installed shocks are just fine, as are 4600s. Toyota doesn't manufacture shocks- someone else makes them. In the case of these trucks, the TRD package (basically) had a "narrow body 4600" shock (or a Tokico equivalent on the double cabs). I don't know if the valving is different between the OEM Bilsteins/Tokico and 4600. If they are, the difference minimal. That's why I (and everyone else) say 4600 is the "closest" OEM equivalent.

5100s are only an "upgrade" if you are lifted. They have a different valving that suits lifted trucks, and what lifted trucks are used for better. Putting 5100s on a non-lifted, pavement only, daily driver, is just a waste of money. It's been that way for 20+ years.

That being said, if you're still on original factory shocks at this point, any new shock is an upgrade.

 

I did a fair amount of research on this and I just went with the 4600 fall of 2021. I have out probably 10k or 15k miles on them and have been happy with them.