4runner Suspension Upgrade and Review - Stock vs Bilstein 5100 

Hey thank you! Glad it was helpful

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

Thank you!

Thanks! 👍

Thanks for watching and the subscribe!

That’s awesome. Glad that worked out for you. 🤘🏻

I appreciate that!

Thank you!

Thanks for watching!

Just out of curiosity what did u pay for the install? I’m in San Francisco being quoted $6800 for the 5100 + install + new wheels and tires + install (gonna go from 265 to 285 tires) seems pricey!

Thanks!

Thank you!

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thank you!

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you!

Good to know. I appreciate the feedback. In jest…. You don’t want to be part of the Toyota Militia?

@@DBCoffroad I'm fully in, just bought a '22 4R

Thanks for the feedback. The 5100s are still better than a spacer life though. 🤘🏻

@@DBCoffroad No .. what I meant is westcott builds a better Collar that the bilstein has in that box .. you know the collar that screws on for that 5100 ..

Glad you liked it!

Thanks!

Thanks!

Hey thanks for the feedback !

Definitely. Glad you like them!

What setting did you guys set the clips at to compensate for the the left lean?

@@ChristopherSmith-rn4wdI’m set at first clip setting which is just under an inch. I’m not getting any lean as far as I can tell

Thanks!

Thanks! I agree

Thank you!

The highest lift collar ring. I think it's 2.25" or 2.75"

Thanks for watching!

Thank you. I appreciate the comment! To answer your question - the Bilstein 5100 make the ride better on the road. Overall the 5100s are an improvement over stock in just about every way. I thought the stock suspension was a little soft on the road. Hope this helps.

You will notice a slight increase in firmness over the stock, but that's not saying much. The stock suspenders are filled with jello, like something out of a 70's Cadillac. The handling and brake dive improvement is waaaaay worth any little bit of extra firmness. I'm assuming you would have bought a Buick if you wanted a marshmallow ride ;) .

The 2.5” lift would raise the belly/skids up off the ground in the front a little more. maybe 1-2” depending where you measure. If you added larger tires you could 0.5”-1” more as well. The front approach angle will be a little better. If you are going to Offroad then it’s better.

That’s interesting. I didn’t notice any harshness with the factory springs on the 5100s. They were still pretty soft. I wonder what was different.

I needed to trim 1/2”-1” from the front of the bumper closest to the tire and readjust the inner fender liner. It’s super minimal and you can’t tell it’s not factory. Trail4Runner.com has really good write ups how to do it. I don’t have KDSS on my 4Runner.

That’s good to hear there is an improvement just between those two shocks of the same brand. Thanks for the comment!

Yes that would have been the logical next step. And there are stronger coil options available for the 5100 Fronts. I just drive too hard and decided to skip a few steps all the way to Fox. I’m interested how the Fox setup works. Will be an upcoming video.

@@DBCoffroad I installed the Bilstein 6112 on my 2021 Tacoma TRD 4X4 ver the Fox shocks mainly because the Bilsteins will last much longer before a rebuild is necessary. Have a pair of Bilstein 5100 for the rear but still using the original Bilstein 4600 in the rear. Done some serious off roading and very pleased with the Bilstein 6112 shocks.

Dang that took longer than my order.

@@DBCoffroad Yeah. I think the Performance series has taken over most of the production. The "Factory" type used to be the only 2.0s they made for many years. I wanted them because they're super easy to depressurize/repressurize and take apart for revalving, etc.

Thank you!

Old Man Emu makes some coils that will fit the 5100s: www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyota-4runner/03-09-4runner/03-09-4runner-front-lifts-coilovers/front-ome-coils-for-07-14-toyota-fj-cruiser-03-18-4runner/ Another option is from Toytec Lifts: www.toyteclifts.com/521600-kit-toytec-3-lift-front-coil-spring-kit.html

I think the 6112s would be the best entry if you are willing to spend the money. Here’s a good review: trail4runner.com/2019/02/09/bilstein-5160-complete-guide-review/ The 6112s would give you more room for the rougher terrain. Thanks for the question!

@@DBCoffroad Thanks for the heads up. I’ll check the link out. 🤙

@@DBCoffroad that article was fantastic. Thanks for the information.

@@007diego2 Glad it was helpful!

I got the Kenda Klever RT. I watched a @donutmedia video on their Hi Low Trucks. The Kendas were only $200 a tire compared to everything else near or over $300. I think they are great. I’d buy them again.

Bilstein 1.5” rear spring.

Thank you! Keep the 4Runner videos coming!

I could have. That would have been the next logical step. I just decided to go all out with how hard I drive. Just skipped some steps.

There are 4 different clip settings. I set mine at the highest so it would lift it 2.5”. The problem is after it settled it was more like 2.25”. Then after adding weight it’s somewhere around 1.5”-2”. The stock front springs that you reuse are just too soft.

Have you looked into the 6112s? I think they would be a little better if you are trying to firm up the ride.

@@DBCoffroadI’ll look into them. Thanks for the tip!

It’s just a little bit stiffer on the road. Which I think makes it better. It still rides over potholes better than stock. I have 33” tires which helps too though.

They are an improvement. But it’s very slight. The biggest thing for the 5100s is probably the ride height in the front. The Bilstein 6112 get good reviews for even better ride improvement. Maybe look into those?

I’m not sure what you mean.

@@DBCoffroad Sorry if my question was not good enough. I'm talking about this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-g7lkotQ872E.html Please let me know your thoughts. Regards!!!!

@@alexvar1 For the Bilstein lift I did not buy new upper control arms. However, I think it would be a good idea. At full droop travel, the stock upper control arms don't have enough clearance and actually hit slightly on the front coil spring. I purchased the Icon Delta Joint UCA's with the Fox Suspension that I will be installing soon. The video you sent me was good. SPC Makes good products for articulation. Here's another video for some more UCA information: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--HWA3Bqd4bQ.html

Sounds like the 5100s are a perfect choice then! Thanks for the info. I’m excited for your adventures.

Did u go with this yet? How do I like the OME springs?

R they the 2895s?

Did you do anything to the back at that point ? About to buy a 4r and trying to plan. I’m in the same boat as you in terms of use. Test drove one and the nose dive feels quite dramatic.

Top clip on the front shocks and 1.5" rear coil lift.

Thanks for the comment. Most of the higher speed stuff I tried to keep at 20mph.

33” You have to take the front mud flaps off and trim a very very small portion of the front bumper.

Right on!

You are right. The next reasonable step would have been to just upgrade to a higher spring rate with the Bilstein 5100s. I just decided to skip steps 2-9 and go from 1 straight to 10.

I’m curious, what if you have a 2.5 spring but would like 3” lift. Do you just adjust the strut .5 to raise it some paired with the 2.5 spring?

@@ivan199120 good question

Yes the “4Runner lean” is present. The drivers side is about .5” lower than the passenger side. There isn’t really anyway to compensate for that unless you get adjustable coil overs (with threaded preload adjustment) or add a small shim above the drivers side shock.

@@DBCoffroad Is that just with the 5100s or just Bilstein itself ? The Bilstein 6112s have the coils. You think that would have that same offset ?

@@kota11334 it’s with any lift really. The 4Runner just has the battery and gas tank as well as the driver on the drivers side. All the extra weigh creates the “4Runner lean”. The coils with the 6112 would be a great upgrade from the softer stock coils. You will probably still have a slight lean on the drivers side though. From my research most people add a .25” shim on the drivers side of it bothers you at all.

Your setup sounds good for Offroad. Only one way to find out! Go take it Offroad! The Bilstein 5100 are a good beginner shock to get used to off-roading. I like them, I just drive harder and faster than they were really meant for. Try it out and let me know what you think!

The stock shocks on the KDSS and Non-KDSS are the same. The TRD Offroad 4Runner I have is a Non-KDSS version.

Not with the Bilstein 5100s. I ended up switching to Fox 2.5s and you have to do both for the Foxes.

@@DBCoffroad Thanks. Appreciate the help.

@@DBCoffroad Last question I promise. Looks like you have the TRD skid plate. Did you have to use longer bolts for it once you added the Fox lift? Thanks!

@@warweaponx6629 No worries. I'll answer all the questions you have. Yea the Fox kit comes with a set of hardware with longer bolts and skid plate spacers to clear the TRD Skid plate. The bad thing is they don't give you instructions on how it's all supposed to work. You just have to figure it out yourself. I also don't like the spacers because the TRD Skid is now an inch lower than the rest of the skids I bought. I'm not sure if there is a way around it though because once you move the sway bar forward and down to clear the Foxes, the sway bar now has to clear the Radiator support brackets which the skid bolts to. I have seen a couple aftermarket skids (Maybe CBI or C4) that looks like they eliminate the factory radiator supports and use the skid itself as a support. If it did it all over, I would trash the TRD skid and buy a complete package from CBI or C4. I have the RCI Skids after the TRD Skid, but they don't offer as much coverage underneath as CBI or C4. AND, Just to change the oil you have to drop the TRD skid every time which is a pain in the butt. You also run the risk of cross threading the bolts each time you put it back on, because they don't go back in so easily. Hope this helps. 🤘🏻

I think the 5100s are a mild upgrade in every way over stock. They do stiffen up the on road feel a little. I agree that the floating feeling is very annoying. If I didn't purchase Fox shocks, I would have upgraded the 5100s with a heavier front spring like these: www.toyteclifts.com/521600-kit-toytec-3-lift-front-coil-spring-kit.html or www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyota-4runner/03-09-4runner/03-09-4runner-front-lifts-coilovers/front-ome-coils-for-07-14-toyota-fj-cruiser-03-18-4runner/

@@DBCoffroad thanks man !!!! I’ll give these a look, I just can’t stand going above 65mph and constantly moving that steering wheel.

Mine is Non-KDSS

The Bilstein 1.5” lift.

You know I didn’t think to measure that. Most people are concerned with the front. I’ll have to keep it in mind in the future

I put it at the highest setting. (Most lift)

No. It is just a dust shield. I left it off when I installed the coils. Thanks for watching!

@@DBCoffroad thank you for the reply boss!!

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. Did you end up going with another brand?

@@DBCoffroad Not yet - it's an on-going thing, I just noticed the leak and completed communication with bilstein via the seller. So far, nothing worked nearly as well as OEM (in case of Toyota, of course), and all overblown AM "updates" are rarely anything but marketing scam. I take that back - RCI skid plates are definitely superior to Toyota's joke.

I’m not sure that you can. Maybe get OME front springs. And then strut shims for above the shocks. Anything above 2.5” is usually for a threaded preload adjuster style shock, like a coil over.

No I do not.

@@DBCoffroad Nice! Here in Canada you cannot opt out for the KDSS on the OffRoad trim. That limita your lifting options to 2.5" maximum.

I don't know that there is really any benefit to lifting over 2.5" if you want the suspension to cycle properly. Really the only reason to lift higher than that is to try and get larger tires, but then you are limiting you suspension travel.

I have the Non-Kdss.

@@DBCoffroad I don't have a lot to compare to, but I am pretty happy with my 5100s. I have to agree that the ride is similar to stock, just allowing a lift. When I air down by BFG KO2s a little, the ride on rough trails is great. I haven't done any high speed desert running, and I expect the 5100s would not handle that nearly as well as remote reservoir Kings or Fox shocks, but for my purposes the 5100s have done just what I wanted them to.

From what I’ve seen the piston is 46mm

@@DBCoffroad the EFS 40mm pistons are much more costly than the 46mm Bilstein.. I wonder why? Great in depth review... Great content👍🏾

@@mombasasherman I’m not sure. Maybe different materials inside. Thanks for the comment!

They are 33s. Actual size 285/70R17

Garmin Instinct.

The shocks claim 2.5” of maximum lift. But the actual lift was about 2.25” in the front.

What do you mean good support?

@@DBCoffroad chk u tube “ getting enough lift out of your bilsteins” Westcott

Correct 285s

A new set of springs will mostly likely make it stiffer. The stock springs are already pretty soft. The Bilsteins are digressive valving too. So they tend to initially be stiff and soften as you cycle the suspension more. What kind of tires do you have?

@@DBCoffroad Hercules Terra Trac AT2. (Cooper). Nothing special

What’s the load rating? That could be what causes you to feel all the bumps depending on the rating.

@@DBCoffroad my tires are C rated. I’m wondering if there’s a better option of shocks/springs that give a better road feel quality. My wife hates it. I figured the 2nd setting of the 5100’s would’ve been smoother

Hmm. It must just be the valving. Do you have KDSS?

Yea. You’re right. I skipped a few steps. Haha

Thanks for the suggestion

Good to know. Adding weight doesn’t help. Wish I would have gone with KDSS though

@@DBCoffroad me too brother. It makes a drastic difference. It'd a dream to drive when you have kdss with the trd pro shock. The best are the xreas but it's not on trd model. It levels out the truck on turns. So much so that you place your wallet on the dash and it wo t slide around on turns.

Kdss has nothing to do with nose dive. It's a hydraulically actuated sway bar that affects body roll in turns.The stiffness of shocks affects nose dive

@@jamesp6283 that's not true.

What conclusions are you attempting to draw with that statement?