OEM vs Bilstein 5100

Getting my frame replaced next week so I have the opportunity to swap out some parts. Suspension is all original OEM on my 2007. I have no complaints with the OEM suspension. Truck is a daily driver and the only "off roading" are dirt/forestry/logging roads. The bed is often used to carry contracting supplies. No plans to lift the truck or add bigger tires. About 90,000 miles with MT.

I'm leaning towards OEM because the truck has treated me well for almost 12 years. The original suspension still works but it's on its way out- I don't think I can ask for more longevity. I plan on keeping the truck and I'd love another 12 years out of the suspension. That being said...

How are the Bilstein 5100s that everyone talks about?

Ride quality vs OEM
Longevity
Performance


Thanks TW!

 

When I installed 5100's on my truck I noticed an improvement in ride quality. I used mine to lift the front on the 1.75 setting but if you have no desire to lift the truck you could leave them on the 0 setting or at 1 inch for a mild front end lift. I imagine the longevity of the 5100's would be at least equal to the stock brand.

 

Can you elaborate on what you mean by “improvement in ride quality”?

I’m considering adding them to my truck but I’m afraid the ride will be softer.

 

I imagine the improvement I had was because the old shocks where old and warn out. With the new shocks the truck seemed more controlled and smooth. Hope this helps. Its not scientific, but I definitely noticed an improvement over the old shocks. Who know, maybe I would have felt the same way had I simply replaced the original shocks with more of the same.

 

Ride quality is subjective for sure. I have a 2013 TRD Sport and my struts have really lost their stiffness due to my heavy hauling this year.
I’d like to get a set of 5100s and set to 1.75 but I want to make sure the ride is as stiff as stock if not more stiff.
My struts are squishy now and I don’t like it. Plus its giving me sway because the coil is taking most of the energy in bumps.

Just curious on overall stiffness. I don’t want to rattle my fillings loose but I do like the stiff ride of a truck.

 

Based on what you looking for OP I would suggest the Bilstein 4600’s. These are commonly mistaken as the factory OEM TRD shocks (THEY ARE NOT). The 4600’s are thicker and have different valving even though they are designed to be a factory replacement. With that said they are not going to be as soft as a OEM shock but still very comfortable. They will really shine when you load your bed up with those contracting supplies or towing. 4600’s provide a much more stable ride when loaded vs oem. I am not sure if the vavling is the same on the 5100’s and 4600’s but I really liked the 4600’s. My 5100’s were nice as well but based on my experiences the higher the setting you go on the 5100 the tougher the ride. I am not an offroader but I towed and loaded up the bed with a lot of weight. The 4600’s are geared for that while I believe the 5100’s are geared more for off-roaders.

 

It is very subjective, but I would say the 5100's seemed to be more firm and controlled yet to me had a nice ride quality. Any lift you do will slightly increase stiffness. its hard to know unless you know someone locally who has what you are looking for and can take you for a spin.

 

Would Eibachs be a contender for rear shocks for what OP is seeking?

 

Appreciate your post. I like the sound of those 4600's. It's nice that you have experience with more than one setup.

How would you describe the ride quality of the 5100's with the bed unloaded? And at what height setting.

 

I just replaced the stock on my 2010 with the 5100's, front set to .85". it rides considerably better than the stock shocks, although it had one rear shock that was toast when i bought it. It was 1" difference front to back height with the .85" and now that I am carrying some winter sandbags it is 1/4" difference front to back. I think the 4600's are the same size and valving as the 5100's, but they are painted, and they are not adjustable. For the extra couple bucks i went with the 5100's.

 

You could always find 3gen take offs. It'll give you a one inch lift in the front and you can find them relatively low miles and often cheap.

 

If money isn’t a factor go 6112 front and 5100 rear. You don’t need the external res. and you won’t notice a difference in ride on pavement.

6112 blows OEM out of the water. Little more cost but drives like a different truck. Refined.

 

You'll actually feel the small bumps more with 5100s, but they will smooth out big hits and wash board at high speed. OME (Emu) shocks are a smoother all around ride than 5100s - more like OEM than 5100s.

 

There is no adjustment with the shock in the rear, since they are leaf springs.

In fact there is no shock adjustment in the front, but there are perch selections for the coil spring to sit on.

5100's are popular because they are budget friendly, can lift the front via perch selection on the cheap (and arguably better than spacers, but still not optimal), and readily available.

In your case, I agree with @Oey12, the 4600's seem like a nice choice.

 

Glad I can help you a little! Firmer but more controlled than OEM. The rear 5100's or 4600's don't provide lift only leaf springs do. You can get extended 5100's for the rear which is recommended if you you ever decided to put a heavy duty leaf pack in. I don't mean to turn you off with this next part...I drive in NYC area a lot where the roads are maintained horribly which leads drivers to hit crates on all major highways (NY/NJ/CT). On those rougher roads the 5100's do help stability but the initial hit is stiff until the shock cycles. Honestly I have never found aftermarket suspension to be more comfortable than stock (i have zero experience with any high end coilovers)for city driving. Now for rural highway you can't go wrong with with either IMHO. I love lifted trucks so when I do I put small spacers in (nothing more than 1/2 inch) in order to retain factory ride because there is always a tradeoff for aftermarket suspension. Additionally I have used airbags in my last three trucks which does just fine for towing and load capacity.

 

OP I also noticed you have a TRD Sport so you may notice less stiffness because I found my Sport suspension to be much stiffer than my TRD Offroad suspension.

 

Sport and lower model Tacos have linear rate springs while OR models (and I think also Baja and Pro) have progressive rate springs.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Anyone know the models for stock sport shocks and stock off road shocks?

I called Toyota parts dept and the parts guy said the part numbers for shocks are identical between Sport and OR models. I started a new thread because these are different topics. Here's the link...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...entical-shocks-says-toyota-parts-dept.584602/

Let me know if you guys have any other suggestions for shocks! Thanks!

 

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm just hunting everywhere for some pretty specific information....
2011 Off Road Double Cab Short Bed here. I’m having some issues with my truck that I believe are related to the suspension, some squeaking and vibrating, plus the shocks are pretty worn out and I think I’d like a small upgrade anyways. I’ve read everything I can possibly find about 2nd gen suspension and lifts on this site, but I feel like I still have a few questions.

I’m just looking at the Bilstein 5100 set. I believe I can use the stock coils with those, correct? And still lift the truck a bit? My main question is, I understand the stations on the front shocks to lift, (0”, 0.85”, 1.75”, 2.5”), and I’m looking at either 1.75 or 2.5—but what would I need exactly on the rear of the truck (with the rear 5100s) to level out the truck (as close as I can)? I believe I have the stock leaf pack on there right now. Does anyone know or have suggestions for what I would need to add in the rear to level out the truck at each of the 3 lifted stations? Or especially the 1.75 or 2.5 (don’t think I’ll do 0.85, but not sure yet)? Add a leaf? Sizes? Or a kit that solves this question? Thank you.

And then another question would be does anyone know anywhere I could order the 5100s that is reasonable/a good deal right now/currently? Any tips? All the links I've clicked on in the forums are dead...

And then lastly, so I think I have a body lift on my truck right now. It came this way when I bought it used. I’m pretty positive I’ll put on the 5100s, but in deciding the height of the lift, I really like the height it is at now— does anyone know a way I could measure exactly the amount of lift I have now? Like maybe comparing the stock height to my current height? I just don’t know those numbers and how to exactly do that. Thank you. Sorry for the length.

 

I am in the same oh shit what card will I play pile status?