Rough ride

I apologize in advance for the noob question. I lost my good friend that used to help me with things.

Two years ago I installed some Bilstein 5100s to level out my truck and to be able to fit bigger tires and ever since then the truck has ridden pretty rough.
I realize I probably did it wrong by just levelling it, or maybe I need to do more than just 5100s?

Any help is genuinely appreciated!

 

I've heard the higher you are on the notch settings, it can ride rougher.
Tires can make a noticeable difference as well, depending on the load ratings.

 

So first question is did you use the stock springs and just compress those with 5100 shocks or did you install a complete new coilover system? 2nd. Did you change anything in the rear? Shocks or springs? 3rd, how many miles on your truck and suspension?

 

Yes, stock springs and I didn’t change anything else in the back either. The truck has 211xxx Kilometres.
Cheers.

 

Tuning your suspension is critical to getting a smooth and confidence-inspiring ride. But I don't know how to do that; all I can say is that my truck has aftermarket rebuildable coilovers and rear shocks, and it rides great. Brands such as King, ADS, Icon, etc. Expensive but capable of excellent results--especially for lifted/overweight trucks with oversize tires.

However, completely separately from this... since you posted a picture of 'off road' or at least unpaved driving:

Air down your tires on rough roads. It makes a WORLD of difference. Get a little compressor to air back up.

There's a world of opinions here, but try like 20psi.

Edit: You could spend a hundred grand on shocks and springs, but this is still not the same thing as airing down your tires for off-road driving. If you are frustrated by off-road handling, then try airing down your tires first, before deciding how much you want to spend improving shocks and springs.

 

Stock springs are not meant to be compressed like that hence the Chuck Wagon ride. Find some 3rd gen Off Road take offs and those should suit you well OR if you want to keep your 5100s, find another front spring meant to work with 5100s. The rear springs are most likely sprug as well, so again 3rd gen take offs will work in the back as well. OR these people:https://www.generalspringkc.com/200...ner-heavy-duty-rear-leaf-spring-4-3-1-leaves/ can provide you with new "like stock" rear springs also with a bit of a lift also

 

5100 is not a good shock. That’s why a set of 4 is like $300-400 new.

one of many examples that rides better is 6112/5160.
If you want to test that look up a TRD Pro 5th gen 4runner for sale in your area. Drive it around the block.

 

I was in the same boat as the op, high mileage trying to improve the ride with shocks only. What I discovered is the stock springs are junk and are even worse if they have allot of miles. Kept the 5100s and swapped in all new springs and upper front shock bushings. Huge improvement, rides far better, carries stuff much easier and although the 5100s aren't as good as the 2.5' fox shocks or the higher end bilsteins they are totally adequate for mild off road and are easily capable of a decent ride comfort. The problem isn't the shocks IMO, it's the old springs (all around) and possibly the front shock preload settings. Get that right and your ride will improve considerably.

 

If I were guessing, I would agree, the preload on the front springs to achieve the lift, is making the truck ride stiffer.

 

Nothing wrong with the 5100s. If you preloaded the factory coil yes they’ll feel a bit rough(firmer) bit also you have to remember that the Bilsteins are also digressively valved so they’re there firmer at the beginning of the stroke vs the end. So that coupled with preloading the coils can make for a pretty firm ride.

 

Don’t listen to the 5100 haters. Preloading the stock spring will make for a rough ride. Installing a lift spring on the 5100s will help soften the ride. 5100s are a good shock. Many members use them.

 

I appreciate the reply!!

 

I appreciate the reply! I will definitely be getting a pump and airing down!

 

When you’re looking at coils there are different weight ranges, 600lb, 650lb etc. ome makes coils to give specific lift heights.
Also the more lift you do, that’s just travel you’ve taken away from your shock. Try to keep your lift around 2 inches.
The stock bump stops in the Tacoma suck, they are like hockey pucks, check out wheelers super bumps, or duro bumps

 

The 5100 isn’t that bad a shock, these guys tested a bunch of shocks
https://youtu.be/7jYzhxjSuRA?si=f6f7A7OhGz53s3uk

 

Stumbled across this thread in my travels. I'm a previous owner of a 2018 OR and loved the suspension. Bought a 2023 Limited and was quite disappointed with the ride by comparison. My local shop suggested I upgrade with the Billstein 5100s. My understanding was that they were similar to the Billsteins on the OR but with the option to lift 0-2". They are a definite improvement over the stock Hitachi shocks but not nearly as smooth as the ride on my OR, i.e. I'm not running washboard at 45 mph without getting my ass kicked. I was wondering what's the difference?...is it the coils or are the leaf springs different between the two trims or is it just that the shocks are not actually the same quality?

Note: just noticed that this was a 2nd gen thread, but I'm going to leave it up just in case anyone has any insight.

 

the Off Road version actually has a different spring rating than the SR5, so I would guess the 3rd gen limited has a different spring rating than the Off Road. Maybe find a set (harder to come by now) of 3rd gen Offroad springs. I installed 3rd gen Off Road springs in my 2nd gen, and really a nice ride! The springs absorb the bumps, the shocks control the springs if that can make sense to you...

 

I found OME 884 front springs are a good replacement for the stock front springs if you install them with the Bilstein's preload set to zero, expect about 1.75" of lift, Every notch of preload used to raise the truck with a 5100 will degrade the front suspension's effectiveness and ride quality, since it's cumulative the higher the notch (more lift) the less responsive the suspension is. Preloading a spring raises the force needed to start it compressing, doesn't change it spring rate so preloading a 5100 will make a washboard or dirt road with studderbumps much worse.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I'll check out some spring options.

 

Thoughts on this set up for the price? (CAD$$)
He also said I could JUST do new springs in the front also which would be $1000 less than this quote.

Would I be stupid to JUST do new front springs with the 5100s and not do anything in the back until I have more money?