Want OME coil springs, but already have Bilstein 4600 shocks

Hi. another stupid question. Have 1998 et. cab 4x4, V6, with a brand new set of Bilstein 4600 shocks. I would like to put some new coil springs on the truck, Old man EMU seem to be the thing, but I would like to keep the Bilsteins. Does anyone have any idea what coil springs would give me about 1-1/2" lift with the 4600 Bilsteins? Not an off roader, but can be a hard driver. Thanks.

 

It wouldn’t be advised to throw lift coils on shocks not made to be lifted.

 

So, 4600 cannot be lifted? Thanks.

 

I have OME 880 coils on 4600's right now, gained about 1.5, settled to a little over 1 and worked for me. Brought me back to around stock after adding the arb bumper. If you have no plans to add weight to the front, they'll work fine. From what I found before getting the coils, they have the same extension and compression as bilstein 5100's, you're only missing the adjustable perch to change the preload of the spring, which I didn't want anyway so I kept the 4600 and just replaced the coil.

 

Thanks, this is what I was hoping to learn. Does it ride on the road tighter than the stock set up? Also, diff between 880 and 881's. Have been trying to find specs on could and cannot find specifics, just salesmen stuff. Thanks again.

 

The suspension was pretty shot when I replaced them, so it was a pretty big difference for me. It works well and isn't a bad setup if you're going to stay close to stock. I preferred that route but need something else now with the extra weight on the front end.

eta..

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/s...-__Various_Lift_Heights_Available_(PAIR).html

 

Great help, thanks

 

Been doing some research on this also. Some say the bilstein are supposed to be used with stock springs and others say they won't affect them. Is there a definite answer?

 

arrcarr above had them, seemed to like them. Looks like I will do the same. Thanks arrcarr!

BTW arrcarr, what did you do on the rear?

 

I did 4600's on the rear also. I bought new leafs from general spring since I wasn't after a lift primarily and they're working very well

https://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_Springs_Toyota_Tacoma_2001_2002_2003_2004_s/1932.htm

eta... got the heavy duty springs

 

I certainly would not advise you to put lift coils on shocks not designed to take a lift. That's a great way to void any sort of warranty from bilstein...

I've seen MANY times on this site and others people trying to cobble together a "lift kit" of their own making with various parts that were never intended to work together... You *really* have to know what you're doing.

Don't do it.

 

There's no reason you can't. Of course since it's not the standard you'll have people that say it doesn't work or you shouldn't do it, but at the end of the day any stock style shock will have the same extended length as a shock designed for lift, the spring is what sets the lift height because it has more preload on the shock and compresses less at ride height.

The only difference between running the OME springs on the 4600s and the 5100s is that the valving of the 4600 shock's valving may not be ideal for the stiffer/more preloaded spring so ride quality and service life of the shock may suffer, to what extent we don't really know.

 

Except the manufacturer tells you not to. But other than that, yeah, go ahead...

 

It depends on the Bilstein. I have no clue about the 4600, but I do know first hand that the 5100 Bilsteins work just fine with a proper lift kit.

 

Thank you

 

Jbrandt, I get what you are saying but given this is a light lift and arrcarr has had it for a while, should be okay

 

I've been running the 880 for a while now, if you're not going for anything more than stock or at most a VERY modest lift and don't plan to put any weight like a bumper or skids, you'll be fine. I looked up a lot of info on the 5100 and the 4600 before pulling the trigger. The info I found was that the compression and extension of them is about the same and that valving is very similar, couldn't confirm the valving though, but for a dd on the road or light dirt roads they still work well.

5100
Collapsed Length: 13.86" / Extended Length: 18.66"

4600
Collapsed Length: 13.7" / Extended Length: 18.4"

 

*should be*

Given that the 4600's are actually slightly shorter (compressed length), that may not be a problem, however you are also limiting your overall wheel travel with the 4600s since they are not only shorter, but have less travel, too.

I'll stick to the manufacturer's recommendations. I tend to adhere to the "do it right the first time" mantra. I also prefer the option of taking advantage of the manufacturer warranty should that need arise...

As far as I'm aware, the 4600s and 5100s are essentially identically valved. The difference being their lengths/travel to accommodate a lift and, obviously, the grooves on the 5100 shock body.

 

I just recently had Bilstein 5100 shocks and struts on mine and they recommended the stock coils since these weren’t adjustable

 

Toytec, a forum sponsor, use to sell a height adjustable (up to 3 inches) coilover kit with Eibach 650 lbs springs. I know this, as I have owned this kit for 2.5 years now.