Just how much better are real Bilstein 4600/5100s

So I did the cheap 3rd gen shock/strut takeoff replacement on my 2013 OR and I think it was an improvement? Definitely firmer on road and the handling is better. But while some bumps/potholes feel better, some are a lot more harsh. My 2nd gen Bilsteins were super soft and bouncy but the bumps felt better.

Would getting real 4600s be a waste of money? Apparently they're even firmer and more harsh than the 3rd gen takeoffs.

 

Yes. Worth it. Less nose dive when braking, less body roll while cornering. I have a DCLB so the ride is smooth. Firmness is just what it needs to be on road. Off road with properly aired down tires its almost like riding on a cloud.

I purchased used with 55K miles and had a blown shock so I ditched OEM and went with proper 4600s. They have held up well.

 

4600 vs offroad shocks arent a massive upgrade, but its noticeable.

You won't be able to negate the spring rate in the front unless you put your 2nd gen springs on new 4600s.

5100s ride a bit more firm than 4600s, but handle gravel/offroad better.

I tell every tacoma owner to skip oem and decide on these two shocks.

 

From Bilstein US website:

"Our B6 4600 shocks are our best riding and driving truck shocks, we always recommend the B6 4600 if it is a stock height vehicle. The

$504 B8 5100 Series Set of Front & Rear Shocks fits 1996 2004 Tacoma with 1-1.5" Lift | TrendsAuto Decal | 24-249928 33-247724 33-247717

B8 5100 is longer and tuned for a lifted application. Neither shock is more durable or better than the other.

The B8 5100 ride height adjustable shock should only be used for those looking to level the truck, if they want to maintain stock height they should use the B6 4600. The B6 4600 will always ride better at stock height vs. the B8 5100 ride height adjustable set at stock height. The B8 5100 ride height adjustable has been tuned for a preloaded coil spring."

I had 5100s on a 2wd access cab prerunner off-road with OEM coils set at the #2 setting. The truck was perfectly level but the ride was very harsh. My current truck is stock height with 4600s and half inch taller tires. Excellent ride and fits my needs.

Your solution is dependent on your need.

 

This is a little different situation but I replaced my stock Bilstein fronts in November, with the 4600s. I used my stock springs (TRD Off Road) and really can't tell much of a difference. The truck is a tiny bit firmer, but not noteworthy.
I had about 170,000 miles and ten years on the stock Billies. They were getting pretty corroded, but were still very stout.

 

How much better are they?
They are not.

Are they a waste of money?
I would say it was, when I did this, when I failed to use common sense and basic math.

I googled 5100 thickness. All it said was piston 46mm. 46mm is ~1.8".
6112 entry level from a TRD PRO (that people sell) is said to be 2.3".
Hmm...

By firm do you mean a bottom of the barrel shock is going to turn a body on frame off road pick up truck into a Ferrari?
Or firm as in shitty shock that slaps you in the head like a frying pan
because the latter is what I experienced, and what makes sense

 

5100s seem to hold their own
https://youtu.be/9s271Ln-6QI?si=BeBzG6MBTur0Ftr2

 

Another thread not distinguishing 2nd gen and 3rd Gen front weight difference nor spec size and valving difference of 2nd gen or 3rd gen model Bilsteins.

No shit 6112 are a better shock for twice the price. OP put 3rd Gen OR stock coilovers on a second gen. 3rd Gen is heavier. It reasons they are valved different for weight difference like non-stock Bilsteins are. Hence, the firmness OP states. If he got a Bilstein valved for second gen weight, it most likely will be better.

 

If I wanted a 37 minute video explaining to suck my own dick id do it in 30 seconds. You have fun with that. Some of us are not retarded.

no. 2nd gen and turd gen both received garbage shocks from factory. Switching to a garbage motor is marginal in weight difference and irrelevant to a Salvation Army pencil shock.
Putting turd gen shocks on a 2nd gen is a fools game. This has been known for a long time.

except for the Pro. That is a starting point. Also known. Basic math.

 

Surprised your mom let you on the internet after your last run in with the police haha!

 

I'm curious about this also. The question I have is whether to get the 5100s for the second gen or third gen and use them with third gen coils or original second gen coils.

 

Seems like it's a marginal upgrade that's not going to make that much a difference. I'll prob just ride these until I need to replace them.

But I'll keep scouring marketplace for a deal on TRD pro takeoffs

 

I found the 5100s with stock second gen coils with 1 notch of preload had a crappy ride, swapped to OME coils, backed off the preload to zero and the ride is what I hoped to achieve back when I started with the shocks. Running preloaded 5100s on old OE springs was little if any improvement, by including the springs I ended up with a little more lift and a much better ride.

 

Hmm so I guess coils are more important than the shocks for a more comfortable ride?

 

Ah the old 5100’s vs 4600’s debate. One is not “better” than the other. They are internally the same with one minor difference. The 5100 is longer for lifted trucks the 4600 is for non lifted trucks. Internally they are both pressurized with 360 psi of nitrogen, same body size, same steel material, same piston size, same rod size etc. The one small difference is the valving which makes the 5100’s supposedly slightly better off road. I personally can’t tell the difference between the two off road. But again the main difference is one is for lifted the other for non lifted.
I have 4600’s and do a lot of off road when hunting and fishing. The 4600’s are fine off road, no problems or complaints. I also tow a 3500lb boat and no problems. They are great on the highway and everywhere else. They are both far superior to the OEM (Bilstein) shocks.
If you are heavy into off roading and/or rock crawling then you obviously want something other than the 4600 or 5100.

 

Not really a 4600 vs 5100 debate. It’s a OEM stock bilstein vs 4600/5100 debate. If anyone says there is a difference between the 5100 and 4600, besides one being for a lift, I think they’re just lying to themselves.

Now is the difference worth the money to get real Bilsteins on the truck? The great question of our time

 

The oem Bilstein that comes with the truck are inferior to the after market. They are crap. As soon as you replace the oem with after market you notice a big difference.

 

Well F it. I just pulled the trigger on some front 4600s with OE coil overs from suspension lifts so we shall see how it goes soon.

 

seems like a Canada thing

No. Coils are generally the same.

If that was the case, different shocks wouldn't exist.

OEM and 4600/5100 are like running into a dumpster.

 

"4600 and 5100 are the name of our series. The numbers do not have any specific significance. The 4600 series is a series of shocks we make for most light trucks and SUV’s that is intended to remain at stock ride height with OEM coil springs. The 5100 on the other hand is a longer than stock series intended for lifted trucks and SUV’s. We offer the 5100 in a ride height adjustable version in the front for vehicles such a yours that use a strut style suspension. The rear shock will not be adjustable due to the suspension style and will only accommodate a lift but not provide one.

There is a lot of misinformation online that suggests our 5100 series is stronger, better or more heavy duty than our 4600 series. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both use 46mm pistons, are tuned for the same vehicle and are made out of the same high-quality materials. The biggest difference is the coating and the fact that the 5100 is physically longer to accommodate for a lift."


They're the same shock. You know more than Bilstein?