Bilstein 4600 or 5100?

Returning my 2015 Tacoma to DD status after 5 years being a garage queen (retired and lost my company vehicle). With only 76k miles, I sense the stock Bilsteins getting a bit "loose", especially in the front. Truck is stock with the exception of rear airbags to level under load, even just replaced tires with 265/70-16 Michelin MS2's rather than AT tires (ride is fantastic!). Don't really off road, occasionally tow a bass boat or utility trailer, less than 2500lbs. Question is whether to replace OE shocks with 4600's, or go with the 5100's set on the 2nd notch (.85?). to level the front. Experiences and opinions are welcome! Gratuitous pic:



Stu

 

2nd question, does anyone know of a vendor that lists either front shock as an assembly with spring and top hat/bushing?

Stu

 

Will you carry loads in the bed or just drive around with it empty? If you carry loads I wouldn't lift the front as you will just get that squatty look unless you inflate the airbags more than you really need to giving a rough ride. Either way no real gain from lifting the front if you aren't offroading.

 

I'm usually carrying around 200-400 lbs in the bed (feed, tools, etc.) that I like to keep 10psi in the air bags for. I do a lot of hunting so there's "sort of" off roading on deer lease roads, etc., but no real crawling or mudding. Probably 20% of the time I'm hauling a boat or 12' utility trailer.

Stu

 

Call up Headstrong Offroad, I believe they have the option to send out assembled fronts in a 5100 kit (or they used to).

 

I just got these in November still haven't had a chance to put them on.
https://www.suspensionlifts.com/sho...VKSEccR9oFabgLt-GcIGSjJW5HRuDyexoCj1AQAvD_BwE

 

I did confirm with Bilstein, that 4600s are identical in performance as 5100, there are just a few slight differences. (color and non-adjustable)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-your-normal-one-either.800441/#post-28689116

Either one will give you a huge improvement over stock in ride quality both offroad and just turning on city streets

To truly level it you most likely will need to go with the 1.75" notch. Measure from center hub to fender on both front and back. Back should be 2" higher...so the 1.75 will get you closer to level than .85. You can do the .85, but I think you will be disappointed if you goal is to level.
I also highly recommend getting the driver side 1/4 top spacer to correct the driverside lean. I didn't do this with my first set of 5100s and regretted it..you can tell the difference. For $30 its a no-brainer.
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p31/HS_1/4"_Top_Plate_Spacer_-_TT05514-TPS.html

I am pretty sure you will need set of these...they will most likely be super dry and shot...and new ones dont' come with the new shocks. To answer your other post, most offroad shops dont stock the OEM front coils. As someone said, contact Headstrong or toytec.

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p613/Bilstein_-_B12_(Special)_[Lexus_GX460_2023-2010,_GX470_2009-2003,_Toyota_4Runner_2024-2003,_FJ_Cruiser_2014-2007,_Tacoma_2023-2005]_-_53-291387.html
https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p250/Old_Man_Emu_Lift_Coils_-__Various_Lift_Heights_Available_(PAIR).html

It would probably be easier to take it to your local or national offroad shop and have them mount them on your existing coils. I had my redone last year...normal price was 620 for front install. +155 for alignment. (But they had a 50% off install coupon at the time, it was only 310 for me). Its actually very simple for them to do with the proper shop tools and only takes a couple of hours.

Good luck

me at 1.75 on 265/75/16





My first set of 5100s at 75K, you can see the bushings are gone on the rears. Only one had a leak,so you are changing your at the right time.

 

I ended up going through Suspension Lifts but got the 5100's set on .85. Ride is great, much more controlled than the OE shocks. Don't know what the issue with the photo is, it's definitely not stink buggin' but here's what it looks like now.



Also had the ECGS bushing installed at the same time, eliminated a flutter vibration I had been experiencing for some time now. I appreciate all the advice and time some of you took to post so much information!

Stu

 

Some more photos of the finished product:


Better side photo shows current stance

Rear shock

Front shock with new spring assembled at .85

Stu

 

Nice to see people listen to good advice and follow through the right way. Which front springs did you go with? Bilstein makes fantastic products and they have a life long customer with me. I started driving in the 80s and Rancho was everything back then...and they fell so far behind so fast.

 

I went with a fresh set of OE springs since I wasn't lifting very far. Even though I didn't exactly level the front, it ended up where I wanted it and I'm very satisfied. I really like the photos of your truck off road, I've done a lot of hunting from Fredericksburg to Sabinal to Encinal, and the terrain in your photos kinda reminds me of some of those areas.

Stu

 

Tag. Have a 2014 with low miles and will be redoing shocks soon.

 

Very close. Dunlay TX, which is a very tiny town between Castroville and Hondo, so just down hwy 90.

 

Happy retirement.

 

Nice, not too far from our old lease about 15 miles SW of Sabinal on the Frio. Used to buy our corn at Mume's and enjoy a heart attack burger at Billy Bob's on the way in.

Stu