Better suspension than stock help

Whats up guys, I'm currently looking into getting some Bilstein 5100's. I have read that they dont give you as better of a ride than stock. I would like to only level out my truck.

So my question is what can I purchase that gives me a better ride than stock?

 

I think the 5100's ride better than stock. They're also a great way to level out the truck.

 

Oh yea, Ive been reading up on here that they're the best way to lift a truck but I also want a better ride....

 

after my trip to silveton co this summer and running the trails there, i want to juice up my suspension also. i got into some real rough places. i already have the 5100's set at 2.5"(not my choice, but thats what the installer did), and the rear tsb with 5100's. front is a little higher than rear. there are so many threads on lifts u just gotta read and find one that doesnt add the vibration problems. the 5100's are just about the cheapest thing u can do and get some lift. i dont have any problem with their ride. it is very stable and as good or better than stock. but i am way past having just 5100's. i have a heavy front bumper and warn 9.5xp winch and 2657017 bfgatko's e rated tires. i would like a 2-3"lift and heavier springs...maybe the ome 886's, shocks, and rear springs. its a complete package they sell...then maybe some total chaos lower control arm armor...check out downsouth motorsports and total chaos...there are also many other lifts and shock combinations others have..

 

Sweet dude! Thanks!

 

I was referring to 5100's at stock height. Rear 5100's with at stock height up to about 2" of lift, the fronts have a 0, .85, 1.75 and 2.5 setting. When set at 0, they provide a better than stock ride. If you don't want any lift, I'd look into the Bilstein 4600's. You might find them a bit cheaper because the fronts aren't adjustable like the 5100's.

Also, depending on your budget, most of the higher end coilovers can be set to stock height will the compression/rebound dampening can be set to give you a better ride. It's obviously significantly more expensive but it is an option.

 

Do the 4600s ride as well as the 5100s?

 

They're not the same shock if that's what you mean. I'm repeating what I've heard but they're better than the yellow Bilsteins that come on the TRD models but don't have all the valving work done that the 5100's do. Bilstein won't release their valving specifics so there's been some speculation on the subject. It seems the 5100's are valved so they can control either a preloaded coil or a stiffer coil and a stiffer leaf pack. The 4600's aren't as popular but if you search, you'll find a handful of people running them. I'd PM a few and get their review. If I were stock height, I'd consider getting a set.

 

I'm stock height and upgraded from Tokicos to yellow TRD Bilsteins. I saw a huge improvement in ride quality just doing that but now I have the problem of small bumps causing a fast, vibrating bounce. I will search for reviews of the 4600s but I may bite the bullet and just get the 5100s to make sure I get the best ride. Only way to know is if somebody had experience with both the 4600s and the 5100s for direct comparison otherwise it's purely subjective.

 

Exactly! That's kind of why I worded my response like I did. I never had the 4600's on my truck but know they exist as a cheaper alternative to the 5100's and seem to have decent reviews at stock height. I did go from Tokiko shocks to TRD Bilsteins to 5100's and I can say I like the 5100's the best so far. TRD Bilsteins seemed to be too soft for me and would let the back end get a little choppy with just the TSB leaf pack. 5100's took care of that at stock height and are now doing a great job controlling my AAL.

 

If you are looking to only level out your truck and get better ride quality, then you should check out the 5100's like mentioned before. I loved them on my truck and would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a mild lift and great ride quality.

Have you checked your steering rack (more specifically your tie rods). Sometimes they cause the bounce you described. When there is too much play they will "bounce" or "wiggle" around and cause some weird vibrations in the steering wheel. If it is really sever you should check asap considering your tie rod end holds your wheel/tire in place.

 

Alright cool! What about coils? Change then or keep them stock with Bilstein 5100's?

 

I went with Eibach coils. I had my 5100's set at .85" and loved the ride quality. Some people keep their stock coils but I prefer a "stiffer" ride and the Eibach/5100 combo fit the bill perfectly.

 

I ran the 5100's at 0.85 on a 2WD DCSB, and that setup handled and rode better than the stock Tokico's. The truck was almost level with the TSB rear springs, just a tiny bit lower in the front. The slight preload stiffened the front a little, which to me gave it more balanced handling characteristics. Any more preload and I probably wouldn't have been happy.

My current 4WD TRD Off Road has the stock TRD Bilsteins (which I believe are the same as the 4600's) and stock springs, and it rides pretty similar, maybe a little cushier. When it comes time, I will go with 5100's again, but I probably won't preload them at all since it has progressive springs in the front.

 

Ok, so I'm gonna go with Bilstein 5100 for sure set at .85. I just want enough to level and handle better. What's a good coil to give more cushion going over speed bumps, and such?

 

I'll definitely check the rack and tie rods but I have to say my steering is good. There is no play what so ever. I know the steering column feels like there might be some looseness but I can feel the tires bouncing. That wheel hop feels like it's transmitting through the loose steering column. So I'm thinking stop the wheel hop and it won't matter if the steering column has some looseness.

 

Eibach.

 

If you're going to get a new coil, set the 5100's at 0 and let the coil do the lifting (unless you want 2.5" of lift and Eibachs, then you need to set them to .85). For a softer ride, I'd go with OME coils. Eibachs are a pretty stiff coil. On bigger hits and for crashing over speed bumps at say 30 MPH, they're awesome! On chopped up roads, they ride a bit rough IMO (I have Eibachs on 5100's set at 0). If I could redo my suspension, I'd go OME.

The following is the lift that different coils will give you when set on 5100's set at 0.
883's give you the same lift at Eibachs, about 1.5"
884's give you about 2" of lift
885's give you about 2.5" of lift

 

i have the 5100's(.85) and rear tsb...the 4600's that come stock don't even come close to the ride quality of the 5100's..the service guys at the dealer told me prior to getting the "tsb" that my truck would ride like crap with the four leaf pak and that no shock absorber would be able to tame the buckboard ride i could expect in the rear,but after speaking with "down south motorsports" and "BILSTEIN USA",i felt fairly comfortable that the 5100's would be the way to go...the front feels great,but the rear is excellent...much more of a "planted feel"...i did get some height at the rear,and with the fronts set @ .85,i got the look and rake i was expecting...i just wasn't ready for how nice the ride would be!it rides waaaaaaay better than stock...my 2010 trd sport prerunner(4dr/sb) with barely 37,000 mi.rides better than new...much more secure with a sporty feel...and that rear....man it's sweet!this is how it should had came from the factory.