1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

1st Gen Bilstein HD vs. Bilstein 5100

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by BlackSportD, Sep 12, 2011.

  1. Sep 12, 2011 at 3:21 PM
    #1
    BlackSportD

    BlackSportD [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2007
    Member:
    #2299
    Messages:
    1,408
    Gender:
    Male
    Los Angeles
    Icon/TC Mid travel, TRD S/C, PNP Greddy EMU, 625cc injectors, 2.2 pulley, Hayden tranny cooler, AEM wideband, TRD boost gauge.
    I did a search and am not finding the specific info I'm curious about.

    I'm trying to find the smoothest shock replacement for my 2001 ext. cab TRD package.

    I'm on the fence, I initially wanted the Bilstein HD shocks to replace my dead/dying OE TRD shocks (2001 ext. cab TRD package). I have heard they are softer than the OE TRD ones, and I want this. The original TRD spec'd ones sound too harsh when new.

    But searching around, the 5100s are new to me, and sound great, and are not that much more expensive.

    Which of the two offer a smoother ride? I understand that too soft, and too hard are both bad for ride quality, I like a bit of a firm ride, but not overly so as this is my daily driver.
     
  2. Sep 12, 2011 at 3:24 PM
    #2
    saundern

    saundern Swerve for nothing

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2009
    Member:
    #27342
    Messages:
    6,861
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    Simpsonville, SC
    Vehicle:
    2005 TRD Sport
  3. Sep 12, 2011 at 3:31 PM
    #3
    BlackSportD

    BlackSportD [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2007
    Member:
    #2299
    Messages:
    1,408
    Gender:
    Male
    Los Angeles
    Icon/TC Mid travel, TRD S/C, PNP Greddy EMU, 625cc injectors, 2.2 pulley, Hayden tranny cooler, AEM wideband, TRD boost gauge.
    Plus, the 5150 rear set looks pretty trick. I always do this, want the 'better' version of stuff even if it is not necessary for my application/use.

    Would the 5100 front and 5150 (for OE ride height) suffice if I decide to lift 2-3"? Or would I need new rear shocks, be it 5100 or 5150?

    Found this 2nd gen thread, I wonder if this also applies to 1st gens. The 5100 sounds better and better right now.
     
  4. Sep 12, 2011 at 3:33 PM
    #4
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2010
    Member:
    #46536
    Messages:
    31,902
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Cody
    Kealakekua, Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    Lifted 00 TRD Off-Road
    fox extended travel remote resivoir coilovers, 14" eibach 600lb coils, All Pro tubular chromoly 1" uniball upper control arms, All Pro expedition leaf packs, 10" bilstein 5150 piggyback reservoir shocks 265/75r16 Goodyear wrangler MT/R kevlars wrapped around 16" Helo 791 gloss black, Mini H1 retrofits with 6000k bulbs, 18" magnaflow w/custom exhaust reroute various decals, Sockmonkey retro hood stripes
    5100s will give you a better ride. But If you lift the back more than 2", get 5150 for the rear
     
  5. Sep 12, 2011 at 4:21 PM
    #5
    BlackSportD

    BlackSportD [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2007
    Member:
    #2299
    Messages:
    1,408
    Gender:
    Male
    Los Angeles
    Icon/TC Mid travel, TRD S/C, PNP Greddy EMU, 625cc injectors, 2.2 pulley, Hayden tranny cooler, AEM wideband, TRD boost gauge.
    Thanks for the response! 5100 and 5150 it is!!

    There are various 5150, would the one I get for OE height/travel suffice for 2-3", or would I need to get a whole new 5150 for the new height later down the road (no pun) when/if I lift?
     
  6. Sep 12, 2011 at 4:24 PM
    #6
    Konaborne

    Konaborne Pineapples on pizza Hawaiian does not it make.

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2010
    Member:
    #46536
    Messages:
    31,902
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Cody
    Kealakekua, Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    Lifted 00 TRD Off-Road
    fox extended travel remote resivoir coilovers, 14" eibach 600lb coils, All Pro tubular chromoly 1" uniball upper control arms, All Pro expedition leaf packs, 10" bilstein 5150 piggyback reservoir shocks 265/75r16 Goodyear wrangler MT/R kevlars wrapped around 16" Helo 791 gloss black, Mini H1 retrofits with 6000k bulbs, 18" magnaflow w/custom exhaust reroute various decals, Sockmonkey retro hood stripes
    Whichever ones you get now, you should be fine keeping later down the road when you lift your truck, the 5150's have way more travel than stock anyways.
    I'd say get the 10" and be on your way :thumbsup:
     
  7. Sep 12, 2011 at 8:11 PM
    #7
    BlackSportD

    BlackSportD [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2007
    Member:
    #2299
    Messages:
    1,408
    Gender:
    Male
    Los Angeles
    Icon/TC Mid travel, TRD S/C, PNP Greddy EMU, 625cc injectors, 2.2 pulley, Hayden tranny cooler, AEM wideband, TRD boost gauge.
    Hmm do the 5125 and 5150 ride the same, with one having better heat dissipation than the other? I hope the 5150 is not stiffer than the 5125.
     
  8. Sep 13, 2011 at 1:59 PM
    #8
    BlackSportD

    BlackSportD [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2007
    Member:
    #2299
    Messages:
    1,408
    Gender:
    Male
    Los Angeles
    Icon/TC Mid travel, TRD S/C, PNP Greddy EMU, 625cc injectors, 2.2 pulley, Hayden tranny cooler, AEM wideband, TRD boost gauge.
    Fricken bummer, called up Down South to get details before I order, and good thing I did. At stock ride height the 5100 and 5150 rears are only equal length, and not the right length for the driver/passenger offset in height. Down South was not sure if this would cause a shock to bottom out and get damaged, so I leaned on the safe side and got the 5100 front 5125 rear package. Was looking forward to the remote reservoirs of the 5150, and worse yet the 5100 and 5150 rear are smoother, the 5125 a bit firmer, so I'm bummed about that detail, but I'm not ready to lift the truck yet, maybe a few years from now.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top