Bilstein 6112 Install

That needs some rear.

 

Yes it does, but I might put in 3rd setting, hopefully levels out

 

I did the same thing for about month. And then readjusted to 3rd ring until rear add a leafs.

 

Yes I really like the ride, it's a little stiff but I bet it's a lot better in the 3rd setting, and for sure I can take you for a ride, are you at El Cajon?

 

Hope everyone is enjoying these by now.

Update, Chas ran into some of the guys at bilstein yesterday and they said the next batch of 6112 will be out shortly. Anyone who is interested in a set please call 702.979.1577 and someone will be able to help.

They were also impressed that Total Automotive Performance was responsible for selling 70-80 percent of the first run across all platforms including fj, 4runner, tundra, and Tacoma. WOW!

thanks to Chas for hyping these way ahead of time, the great price, and giving us all the info to make a decision, I'm very pleased.

 

Any news on what the travel of the 6112 is for a Tacoma? Because looking at pics of them side by side with a 5100 they have a longer shaft and shorter body.

 

I do not know myself. I can try to find extended length and collapsed length of 6112 and 5100 if that will help...

Are you comparing 5100 to 6112? Do you need a customer length coilover for your application?

 

I've already got the 6112s on my truck. Was just curious.

 

Oh ok. I mean they were designed by the same people for the same vehicle I think the numbers wi be very close. The real difference is the valving which the 6112 have a much stiffer rebound than the 5100 for when you are hitting a sequence of bumps ie washboard or whoops.

 

Nice, you won't be disappointed with the 6112s, Yea I'm not sure if I'm gonna go with an AAL or bring the front down a notch

 

how are these different from 5100's?

 

I think he's asking because some of us are wondering if they have the slightly extended travel like the pro and baja models have. I know these are closely related to those shocks. I personally do not like giving up downtravel for ride height but if they have extra droop to compensate then thats legit.

WRT valving, I am pretty sure I read somewhere they have the same valving as the 5100's ; I'll try and find that data when I am on a real computer.


ETA: It seems as though these have 255/70 valving which allegedly is the same as the 5100's, therefore the damping characteristics will be the same. I cannot find these data on bilstein's site so I reserve the right to be mistaken. That being said I have found multiple threads stating that is the case.

Also, you state that they have a much firmer rebound for washboard roads. First, this statement appears to just simply be false but secondly even if it was true why would you want an extra stiff rebound? Would this not cause the shock to pack down as it repeatedly hits bumps and is unable to return to proper ride height before hitting another? Is this not why the hardcore guys run bypasses?

There seems to be a lot of hype and FUD coming from your direction surrounding these shocks; why is that?

FWIW, I will be running the 6112/5160 combo so not hating on the shocks, just the apparent FUD.

 

Im saying they rebound quickly meaning the shock is returning to the normal position quickly after hitting bumps. Which means the shock will do well on washboard or multiple large bumps. Normal shocks are designed for the road. They take a hit and slowly return to position. If your offroading it will feel great for a second but the shock will end up floating near the top of its compression as multiple hits come.

The 6112 will be able to rebound quicker so by the time you are hitting the third consecutive bump the shock isn't totally bottomed out.

I think the confusion is that im trying to explain suspension stuff and how it works via a keyboard and not by showing you or giving you a ride.

I dont know the valving or travel difference but they dont feel like 5100. i used to go 40mph through a dirt lot by my house and the truck was near rattling apart. I can increase the speed to 70 in the same space and it rides so much smoother. The faster you go the better these get.

 

from t4r-i can relate to this explanation of going from 5100 to 6112.

Flyfisher4822
It's all about what you find acceptable. I too am a 99.5% daily driver. I went the Bilstein5100/FJ coil route. I tried three different height adjustments on the fronts. The valving on the shocks does not match that of the coils, and road vibration at 50-70 mph became intolerable. After three months I bought the 6112's, and like you, thinking it might be overkill.

What I do know is that the ride is COMPLETELY different. Firm but forgiving and smooth at all speeds; minimizes nose dive and body roll. It's definitely an investment, but for me it was MORE than worth it.

 

Quick update, I went ahead and used 2" lift blocks from wheelers to level out the truck. It really looks great now! Also, the cv axles in the front haven't shown any signs of wear and I'm not having any second thoughts on buying these. I did get an alignment done and the camber is really close to being perfect, may need upper control arms eventually.

 

Sounds good. Let everyone know when you take them out and feel them in the dirt

 

Per the above equation, Kd is the term that describes the valving (although admittedly 6112's are not linear). A larger Kd means a stiffer shock which would create a slower rebounding motion not a faster one.

 

Are you an engineer or mathmatician? I don't do great with math but I am using these myself in real life. So I'm speaking on what I am feeling from these. No one is going to be able to extrapolate the differences given that equation there alot more factors involved in how the performance is overall when being used on the truck.

Do you think I could answer a customers question about the ride of these by saying the Kd = 2.5378?

I will not comment on any mathematic calculations regarding this shock. If you want to compare options with this level of precision you need to procure all of them and take them to a professional with tools to measure the differences.

I can also tell you no one else buy shocks based on this calculation. Sonny at dsm does not valve shocks by calculating, he does it from experience and feel.

If you compress a 6112 and a 5100 the 6112 will come back to full ext first.

Does that equation apply to rebound and compression because I am speaking specifically to the rebound characteristics of this shock and provided eibach spring.

While I have used a lot of products and sold a lot of products with very good reviews, I actually think I cannot help you with this. You might want to call bilstein and talk to someone who knows more about he technical aspects of the shock.

I simply go off of what the manufacturer tells us and my personal experience with them over the last 2 months

 

Yes, I am an engineer. If you are going to throw out terms and advise, get it right.

I did explain, Kd describes the "stiffness" of the shock, granted in the above equation Kd is linear and not digressive.

Kd for compression and Kd for rebound are different values, but I believe they are the same as the 5100's. If this is true 6112's and 5100's would rebound the same.

 

they don't perform the same in real life on the same terrain. I'm sorry I can't help you compare them in that way.