Bilstein 5100 harsh ride

Just installed bilstein 5100s on my 3rd gen double cab 2wd. Set at 3rd notch, 1.1” with stock springs. Ride is pretty harsh on the freeway, i can feel every bump. Is there another option to improve the ride without getting too high of a lift? Was looking at ome springs, but i believe the 884 spring would give me roughly 2.5”. Would like to stay under 2”.

 

It's not necessarily the springs causing the harsh ride, it's the digressive valving inside the shock. Unfortunately not something tunable.

 

I installed OME nitrocharger shocks with 887 coils and it got me 2.5" front lift. I'd guess 884 would give 2" or less. I can't speak for the 5100s but the combo of those being basically entry level aftermarket shocks and having them preloaded with springs they technically weren't designed to match with probably has a lot to do with the rough ride. I can say for the nitrocharger soft ride shocks, they feel the same or better than my stock SR5 suspension.

 

Would you recommend something like the fox 2.0 coilovers?

 

From what I've read those sound like nice parts. I wasn't speaking poorly of bilstein 5100s by the way, they're basically equivalent to the OME shocks I got from what I've read. It's just that you definitely seem to get what you pay for. Maybe others with more specific experience can chime in but I'd imagine if finding the front suspension harsh with what you've got, some higher end coilovers sound like they would make an improvement, especially because you won't need to preload the shocks like you have to do to get any lift using stock coils.

 

Nothing wrong with 5100s. But digressively valved shocks aren’t for everyone.

 

Yeah, don’t get me wrong, i do like the 5100’s ride when the road is perfect or in light trails. I do like the firmness but It’s when i get little dips and bumps on the freeways is when i feel all of
It. I spend 90 percent of my driving on poorly maintained freeways. Understand they are budget shocks and looks like ill need to think about upgrading to some better shocks if i want to improve on that.

 

As others pointed out, and I have no experience with, the difference in valving could be the main thing. I've only driven on stock and OME suspension and I believe they use the same type of valving structure.

 

Maybe adjust tire pressure. Might help some.

 

Currently have my tire pressures at 29psi. Much better than when i had it set to 35.

 

just let them break in, I had the same exact issue. I even purchased the 6112 to replace the 5100 with. After a trip to vegas an back the 5100 settled in. I hope you didn't waste any more money.

 

Actually the 5100’s are designed to be used with the stock shocks not the OME ones.

 

Just curious... are they E-rated?