Trd off road vs Bilstein 4600’s

I just wanted to put this out there because I’ve seen it far too many times. There’s a common misconception that the factory trd off road shocks are Bilstein 4600’s.

THEY’RE NOT.

The shock body on the 4600’s (right) are much larger.

Sorry if I’m beating a dead horse and delete if I am.

 

I normally just bite my tongue, but it is a pet peeve of mine when folks refer to their OEM shocks as "4600s" when they are NOT like you mentioned. I see nothing but good in your thread in hoping to correct/remind those who are misinformed...only problem is, eventually this thread will get shuffled into the past and folks will keep referring to their OEM shocks as "4600s."

 

Good point. They are different. Is the ride better or worse than stock with the 4600s? May have to remember how yours used to be, they look well used now!

 

It had 150,000km when I bought it so I can’t say how it would compare to how they felt new, we had a bitter cold snap here and I was getting a cluck in the rear end as if my shocks were frozen and noise would disappear after driving for 10-15 mins.

Only have a few Kms on the 4600’s but now my problem is I really notice how much smoother the rear end feels compared to the front end.

 

Wondering if you did the work yourself?

 

I did, I am by trade a grease monkey though so I suppose I have an advantage.

None the less easy job as long as the nuts come off the top of the shock.

 

They look the same length to me, bolt top to eyehole. The old ones look like they have not fully rebound... because they are old.

The 4600s do look like they have a larger chamber than the TRD OEMs. In any case, I don't see the issue. It's nice the TRD trim comes with a name brand shock. But they're low end shocks. When they go, the 4600s fit fine. But why not just spend an extra $50-100/set for 5100s?

 

4600’s were a better option for me, available same day through a parts supplier my shop deals with and they will honour the lifetime warranty, no plans to lift, I’ve herd the 5100’s ride is a little more stiff and I feel like I’ve seen way more blown/leaking 5100’s then 4600’s.

 

I have often wondered (with no answer) what IQ a person has, when they repeatedly suggest the Tacoma has 4600's,
just because both are blue and yellow
even though the stock ones are visibly much skinnier
I suppose if I put orange paint on my face and black stripes, it makes me a Tiger

because supposedly 5100 and 4600 are the exact same thing except 5100 is set up to allow higher ride height,
which if upgrading shocks on a stock truck, does not matter if a person is not looking to spend extra hundreds on top of that for a lift using supporting mods
such as springs, leafs, etc.

for about $300, 4600's improved ride quality over my stock shocks that still rebounded by hand fine,
without the need to spend more on OME, AAL, etc. to increase height on a truck that already is known for good ground clearance that has posed no issues in the past, nor a need to support more weight like steel bumpers or a bed topper as I don't have them

if I win the lottery, I can always go back in there later and install upgraded parts
"Well you may as well have made it a $300k Trophy Truck while you were in there, because you already had the wheels removed. Budgeting aside."

 

I have heard that also, and I recently contacted Bilstein with that question. This is their reply:

"If you want to keep your truck at stock height then we would recommend our B6 4600 shocks. These shock have been tuned to the stock suspension. Our

$455 B8 5100 Series Set of Front & Rear Shocks fits 2016-2023 Tacoma with 0-1" Rear Lift | Provides 0-1" Front Lift | Includes TrendsAuto Decal | 24-263108 24-186728

B8 5100 shocks are tuned to be used at a lifted ride height when the front shock is used to level the truck. Our best riding driving shock at the stock height will always be our B6 4600. Neither shock is more durable than the other and both are great for light off road and towing."

 

Thank you so much!! I've been looking for a comparison like this around for a couple days now. I'm obviously new to this game and appreciate you bringing this up haha!

My question is, does the same hold true for the rear as well?

 

Assuming that's a typo and you meant rear -- the shocks pictured in post #1 are rear shocks.

Pic of Bilstein front shock: (edited for size)

 

Rear is what I meant yes. Thanks!
So then the front is actually what I was referring to. (Middle of the night TW browsing)

So it should be a beefier shock at the front as well I assume.

 

Yes.

4600 front shock, Bilstein p/n 24-188401, has a 46mm piston diameter.
My stock (OEM) TRD front shocks measure 40mm outer tube diameter.

 

All I know is the 5100's were way beefier than stock non-TRD shocks/struts. I think I paid $279 on Amazon for my set of four 5100's, haven't checked the 4600 pricing but so far so happy with the 5100's.

 

doubt anyone can tell the difference btwn trd bilstein vs 4600s both w stock coils if you can you are probably shock picky as hell or lying to yourself lol. at that point your better off going w next step up 5100s or higher

 

Bilstein does not advise 5100s for unlifted trucks.

 

So what's the difference between a stock bilstein shock on the base trucks compared to the bilsteins on a trd off road that also come on the trucks?

They both are just labelled as the "Toyota bilsteins"

 

Can anyone tell me if I put rear billstein from 2019 TRD on my 2nd gen I will get 1" lift like I will if I did the same for the front?

 

No, shocks themselves don't provide lift.