5100s vs TRD Sport Shocks

My 2016 TRD Sport has 68k miles and i am thinking about swapping to bilstein 5100s on all 4 corners with 3rd notch in the front for a about 1" lift. Just wondering how different the ride quality is between the sport shocks and the 5100. I know i will lose the sporty, on-road feel. I am looking to improve performance over bumps and for light off roading. Thanks.

 

5100 on the middle notch and don’t look back.

 

shock feel is personal preference, but given the application, I would say you are looking the right direction. You may consider a new rear leaf pack rather than blocks. The OE leaf pack is flimsy AF when doing any towing, or even groceries.

 

I vote for 5100s

 

Do it, and mid notch actually helps reduce brake dive. They are way better than hitachi sport shocks

 

Night & day with bonus of no more oem brake dive. If your only doing 1" up front, you wont need a block, nor AAD in the rear. Your truck will look lifted, "level" and handle like a champ.

 

5100s are much better than the stock sport shocks. A noticeable difference in the drive. 100% worth it.

 

I swapped out my Sport solid steel rods that Toyota calls shocks for Eibach Pro-Truck coil overs. They would be similar to the Bilstein shock to my understanding. I found this to be a very good improvement to the ride quality of the truck. This is my experience and your experience might not be the same. I liked the change.

 

I have a 2017 Tacoma Sport AC with 47,000 miles. It will be loaded with about 400 lbs for camping. The rest of the time the bed will be empty as a daily driver. I'm okay with the ride know with the bed empty. I'm thinking of going with a set of 5100's. Should I be considering a rear leaf pack? I was thinking of the Icon RXT pack. Would that be a good compromise for empty bed daily driving and loaded bed camping? Are there other leaf spring I should consider?

 

I love my Bilstein 5100’s. They’re fantastic for light-medium off roading and still being good on the road.

 

I got 5100’s about 2 week ago for my TRD sport. A noticeable difference for sure. I would recommend

 

The Sport shocks are inherently stiffer by design. Go with the 5100's.

 

If you decide to raise the rear the oem 1in or .5in blocks can be had for cheap(mine were something like $16 from my local dealer). If you go with the 1in blocks dont get the 5100s though get the 5125s that have a compressed length that is 1in longer (5125s are available in several lengths). Unlike the stock length shocks they let you use the full travel of the oem springs.

 

Just my opinion, since I rarely load my truck, but would be concerned with the stiff ride when it's empty. 400 lbs is nuthin'.

 

What length 5125's would you need for 2" rear blocks? My 19 Sport has a 2x2 lift. I'm assuming since the front 5100's are adjustable, I could clip them for a 2" lift, and keep my same height of my 2x2? Ski

 

I cringe everytime I see a dude's rear axle hanging 2" below the leafs.
Get new leaf packs ideally, or add-a-leafs, for more than 1/2" to 1" of rear lift.

 

Personally I would remove the 2in rear block and throw the oem 1in in. 2in blocks have way too much axle wrap.

That said bilstein makes some 5125s with a compressed length of 16.01. They will allow full travel of the spring but you probably need longer brake lines at the axle and a bracket to reposition the e-brake cables as well to not break things as proper length shocks will allow more down travel than shorter ones. You may still run into vibration issues and likely wear out your springs and u joints withh the 2 in block as well as the ride quality problems from the axle wrap. The longer shock will help avoid the roughness from a too short shock hitting full extension though.

5125s come with the wrong bushings for our trucks. Either the right lower bushings need to be ordered or they need to be cut down (both the steel sleeve and the rubber bushing)

 

if you go 3rd notch on the 5100s, would the needle bearing eventually go bad and need an ecgs replacement?

 

No only spacers cause this issue or larger coil overs. I've never had to install the bushing on any 5100/TRD lift.