Exactly what Bilstein Shocks are put on Trd-off road?

Not 4600's. They are smaller. This has been discussed before. Let me find the picture....OEM TRD branded Bilsteins vs 5100s (extended length 4600s). The OEM ones appear to be about 3/4 diameter of the 5100/4600 series, which would explain why they fade in about 15 minutes.

 

Probably hadn’t been asked before the dude made the thread in 2016.

 

The seller sold me a genuine set of shocks minus the attachment hardware. There are many, many taco owners that remove them to install 5100s or other more guchi offroading equipment. They sell them online.

 

it is not exactly the 4600's but thats the closest to the OEM ones...

 

What makes a trd offroad anymore capable of it's name over other trd models is the multi terrain crawl system, 360 camera, and rear locker. And one could argue it's suspension is "softer" than it's counter parts. Most ppl change out their suspension for lift or offroad capability eventually

 

I emailed Bilstein USA about this...here is the response I received this morning.

"The dampers you are referring to are a product that an OEM designed and then hired us to build. I am sure you can understand that we are hired by many OE manufacturers to build kits or shocks they make for their vehicles. When this happens, we will proudly stamp the damper with our logo but the design remains proprietary to the company that hired us to build it, in this case Toyota. Our 4600 series is a product that Bilstein’s engineers design, tune and build. Most people consider our products to be an upgrade in comfort and performance over the OEM’s. Please consider checking out our online catalog below. Thank you."

 

Alright then so who's got a stock 2023 off road to do a sick back to back testing video on to see how they actually shape up when both the OEM and Bilstein's are not blown and in proper working order.

 

Is it just me or is the OEM 3rd Gen TRD Off Road suspension absolutely awful? I usually air down to about 17psi when doing a rougher trail but if I’m spur-of-the-moment doing a relatively easy trail, I don’t bother. Ran about 10 miles at street pressure of a pretty easy green trail today in Prescott, AZ. There were some 10-12” deep awkwardly spaced divots that I was hitting at under 2-3mph and I was literally getting tossed around the cabin- like enough that I’d hit one or a few at slow speed and be like JESUS CHRIST and be thrown all over the place. They just seem super harsh and non-compliant, poor dampening, poor recovery, etc. My OEM shocks are fine, no leaks or noticeable wear.

Basically what I’m trying to ascertain is if I’d notice a markedly superior ride in these circumstances if I went w/ Bilstein 5100 or 6112. Both are relatively inexpensive options and even though budget isn’t a concern, I know things like King or Fox 2.5 w/ reservoirs are substantial overkill for what I do. 5100s on paper don’t seem to be quite enough of an upgrade, while most King/Fox options seem to be too much of one. The 6112s sit kind of in between, so that’s where I’ve been focused.

Thoughts?

 

The tossing is because of the sway-bar....which makes it almost unbearable...I agree.

I swapped to 6112/5160 after smoking my OEM "Bilsteins" and left my sway bar connected, but any wash outs were tossing heads in the cab, so I finally bit the bullet and just pulled my sway bar. I wouldn't recommend it if you end up running something squishy like Kings or Foxes, but running 6112/5160 Bilsteins it is fine on-road and a game changer off road.

My wheeling in the mountains is forest roads, and a lot of time in the desert on small whoop sections during the cooler months. I can say that the Bilstein combo has not left me wanting for more....just watch all the reviews too. Kings are great shocks, but require maintenance, proper valving (not the valving they just throw on from the factory) and are $$$. Most of King's appeal is for eye candy tbh.

Watch this review...they did a high end one a few months ago, this one is the budget, and in a few months they will do a mid level (6112 etc.) comparison.

Affordable Shock Upgrade Shootout - BLIND Tested | Shock Value Season 2 (youtube.com)

There is a new disconnect from Apex, which is a good company....it's pushing 1k though lol. So, unless I end up pulling a travel trailer behind this truck (if we ever get rid of our class C) I don't see a value in paying 1k for the sway bar disconnect system while running Bilsteins.

I'm a suspension nerd...so you can always message me on here too for more questions.

 

Cool, thanks for the insight. I hadn’t considered the sway bar in all of this. Westcott Designs & SDHQ are both local to me and are respected shops, so my plan is to swing by one their shops to discuss some options for how I use my truck. I really have no issue dropping $5-10k on suspension, but there’s also no point spending that kind of money if the need just is not there. Sounds like you run in near identical terrain & in roughly the same manner as I do, you being in SoCal & me being in AZ. I just want more compliance in the slow stuff & to be able to briefly run 15-20mph over some washboard-y stuff every so often without chattering my teeth into chiclets.

 

Do you know anything about a mid travel set up with 12" short body 7100s

 

5100's are the best bang for the buck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s271Ln-6QI&list=PLv1-VB8s4vOvG0R49hIJ7lQbKEGnlPy-w&index=9

Spoiler Alert>>>>>>>>>>>>__<<<<<<<<<<<<<

 

Besides me saying call Bilstein? I know 7100's are not commonly used on our trucks because Bilstein makes direct-fit shocks in other series. 7100's were widely used in specialty applications, and offer more serviceability. As far as the 12'' shock body and your mid travel kit...I don't know. But, I would call Bilstein after I have cycled my suspension full bump to full droop and measured everything I can think of out....but they might just tell you to get 5160's...