Bilstein 5100

I drive my 2023 Tacoma, about 95%, in the city and on highway. I've a slight back problem and looking for a set of shocks to give me smoother ride. How much improvement, percentage wise, I should expect with Bilstein 5100 vs. stock?

Bob

 

This is going to be 100% subjective. Some people might say it's worse, as Bilstein are digressively valved, meaning they are stiffer to begin with. Gives the vehicle a sportier/tighter feel, I'd say, but definitely not softer/cushier.

 

Agree that 5100s are going to feel much stiffer. Stick to TRD offroad suspension for cush ride.

 

By any chance are you running your tires near their max inflation? If yes, you may not need to. I have a 23' off road and I felt it was a very soft and pleasant ride with the stock tires. I swapped those out for a bigger tire that was E rated because I tow a travel trailer. The ride is still pretty good.

For my new Cooper tires I used the tire inflation test recommended by Cooper tires of Australia.

Set your tire pressure cold, then drive 20-30 minutes and check your tire pressure. You are looking for about a 4lb increase when warm. More than a 4lb increase means under inflated and less than 4lb means over inflated. Since I load the bed and tow a trailer I found my inflations for no load and with a bed load including a with trailer. I found I had generally been over inflating my tires.

note: there is more than one way to check for proper inflation, the 4lb one is just what I like.

 

What about the 4600's?

 

I can also confirm the 5100’s will be stiffer on the road and probably worse for you back.

 

Yep, 5100s will be firmer than stock

 

The 5100's are a bigger, wider shock compared to the oem Bilstein Off Road shocks. I raised mine the full 2" and got rid of the oem brake dive. Not sure what people mean by a stiffer ride, if they are comparing them to the oem OR shocks.

Now if your talking the Sport model, the oem Sport shocks are a stiffer ride. I can't comment on the SR's, since I never test drove one.

 

4600s or 6112s (on the lowest setting) make more sense. In the end there's not a lot you can do except drop tire pressures to 29-30psi.

 

I thought the 4600’s are the same as the 5100’s. One is just for a lifted application.