Stiff ride after bilstein 5100 install

What is a "good" ride is a very subjective thing. What I think is great others think is way too hard. My wife won't even ride in my BMW with Koni's and H&R's for example. I still haven't put my front 5100's in yet (backordered till next month) but just the rears was a huge difference in overall control of the truck. With all the added long-term expenses with differential vibes when the fronts come in I'll probably put them at zero anyway. If Toyota pony's up for new 4 leaf packs I might put them at .85.

 

I decided to dredge this thread back up because I am considering installing 5100's all the way around. I'm sure I'll notice improvements off road, cornering, towing, etc, but I'm curious if I will be sacrificing the daily on-road ride quality? I have a 2014 DCSB, Off-Road package, and I'm basically happy with the overall ride and wouldn't want it any stiffer. Can the 5100's be adjusted to maintain the OEM Bilstein ride and still gain the higher performance that the larger shocks offer?

 

In short. No.

 

Get the billies with aftermarket coils, that would be your closest option Without breaking the bank.

 

I installed 5100s front and rear, with a single wheelers AAL and fronts set to 1.75, on my 2015 dcsb offroad. I was fairly happy with the stock ride before install, just looking for a few inches of clearance. It was a surprised how much better it rides now, even with the compressed stock coils up front. Only after the switch did I realize how soft and bouncy the stock setup was. Big hits offroad were lessened, and pavement manners were drastically improved. The brake dive and cornering were the most noticable. It is a cheap upgrade that is easily installed at home with a few tools, and looks great to boot!

 

Unfortunately, the only way to equal or exceed the ride quality of an OEM setup would be a setup consisting of the very least CO's and soft riding rear leaf pack. Just 5100's and a rear AAL will not be it.

 

Interesting. So, you just added a leaf in the rear? How harsh is it on-road going over bumps or washboard roads? These are the types of conditions I'm probably most concerned with on a daily basis. Do you still have the stock tires?

 

I have a 14 dcsb trd fist set up was with the Billy's set at 1.75. Noticed it felt kind of harsh on the road feeling every bump and sometimes pulling my steering wheel. I will add it did level my truck to al,out perfect with the front being .5" higher. I recently in the past couple days put on ome 884 with trim pack and the Billy's set back to zero and it gave me just about the same amount of lift up front. And I must say the ride quality is 100 times better than before! If I had it to do over again I would have just went with the ome 884 with stock shocks the first time since the sport comes with the upgraded shocks anyway. But there is my .02. Hope this helps anyone looking to lift the front alto east just to level it out. I guess I should add I do have the 3+1 leafs in the back but I am not happy with the factory leafs Toyota haves to offer. Any load on them and they sag!


Wanted to add the pic on my avatar was with the Billy's set at 1.75 with factory springs.

 

I recently lifted my prerunner 1". Settings bilsteins at .85 will give you around 1" lift. Defenitly ride is stiffer, I won't even try to lift it more with SR5 springs.

 

OME coils are only $160 at Headstrong...totally worth it If you are really wanting to improve ride quality.

 

I love the ride after installing 5100's all the way around. Front set to 1.75 and a 1" Toytec block in the rear. Anyone who has driven in PA know the roads suck. I glide over the potholes now.

 

X2 ^

 

I purchase a 2015 Tacoma and out belstien all the way around left them at stock height and installed and installed a revtex leveling kit. 3 inch in the front 1.5 in the rear. Looks good and the ride is amazing.

 

Thanks for the responses guys! It definitely helps.

 

5100's set at 1.75 or 2.5 will feel different between TRD OR and Sport due to coil differences. Much better ride with Sport springs and stiffer with the OR. Best to get OME springs and set the 5100's at zero.