Bilstein Questions

[akarilo]

Bilstein B46-1477/1478? I keep seeing this model mentioned for the "low lift" OME springs. Will these provide enough "stroke" for the 2.5" lift or is there a model that is better suited for that application?

Thanks, KR

[Nay]

If you are buying OME 2.5" springs buy the OME shocks to go with them - they are designed to work together.

[Downey]

We provide exactly those Bitsteins with our 2.5" FJ80 coils. The vehicle will have the 2.5" greater ride height. yet the diffs will not drop down futher than stock extention would have been. The great thing about the Billies is they have the built-in stops, they are extremely velocity sensitive (most shocks are not), and the ride is sooooo much better than many other shocks provide.

[unwiredadventures]

Originally Posted by Downey

The great thing about the Billies ..... they are extremely velocity sensitive (most shocks are not), and the ride is sooooo much better than many other shocks provide.

I have noticed this difference with every Bilstein equipped vehicle I have driven. They have a unique feel on the road.

[Assassin_Offroad]

You should be looking for an "S" on the end of that part No for a truck with accessories.

Out here on heavy trucks, we find the rears of that part No are the only ones we have fail. Every set we have fitted have developed leaks, because they dont like being topped out.

We sell many many Bilstein kits for many vehicles, but the rears in those is one we have now stopped using for the above reason.

[Nay]

Originally Posted by unwiredadventures

I have noticed this difference with every Bilstein equipped vehicle I have driven. They have a unique feel on the road.

I agree, I love Bilstein shocks. The question is whether you love them with OME springs. OME on the 80 is designed for a lot of shock damping, which the standard Bilstein may not provide, leaving you with a bouncy feel.

The term "shock" is not a good one - they are spring dampeners. No one spring dampener is the best across all springs.

As much as I am not a huge fan of OME, if I am buying a basic OME spring, I am buying the OME shock because it is tuned to those springs.

[tea LC]

Does anyone have this kit? I'd like to hear what others think. I'm looking for a quality bilstein set-up but i'm still undecided on springs.

Originally Posted by Downey

We provide exactly those Bitsteins with our 2.5" FJ80 coils. The vehicle will have the 2.5" greater ride height. yet the diffs will not drop down futher than stock extention would have been. The great thing about the Billies is they have the built-in stops, they are extremely velocity sensitive (most shocks are not), and the ride is sooooo much better than many other shocks provide.

[Farr off road]

I just bought Pro Comp nitro shocks w/extra 2.5" travel to go w/my OME 2.5" springs. I haven't put them on yet but they where 1/2 the price of OME shocks so I thought I would try them! What do you think?....Bad idea or what?

[chitown40]

I run OME Heavies front and rear with a spacer in front to level things. I have about 3" of lift. I run those exact same Bilsteins and cannot be happier with them. There is no "bouncy" feel, but rather a firm ride in almost all conditions. The only experience I had with OME shocks was on my FJ60 which is a whole different apple so I cannot compare. The Bilsteins are a nice ride and price-wise they are a real good deal.

[LCWannabe]

I have the Downey kit, and I am pretty happy with it now. I think it has settled a bit since when it was new. I used to think that the springs were a little soft, but I think maybe they have firmed up a bit- if that's possible. I like them better now. The stance is great- no stink bug at all. I used the 4+ drop brackets for caster correction. I didn't really want to use the drop brackets, but I needed about 5 degrees of correction. The only other option I was aware of were Landtank's plates, but I was living in a hotel at the time, and I needed something that was an easy install. As for the Bilsteins, I really don't have much to compare them to, except the stock setup. I like the ride of the of the whole kit, I like the stance, I think the Downey CC weld on plates that come with it are pretty lame though. I would plan on something else for Caster correction. Dan.

[sjcruiser]

Love mine in every way!

[akarilo]

Just got through looking on e-shocks.com and they state that the F4-b-46-1477-HO and 1478 are for "Standard" suspension height replacement. They site doesn't offer a lift compatible Bilstein for the 80 series. They do however list Edlebrock for a 3" lift.

*Are the Bilsteins no longer than the factory shocks? Unless the 80 series suspension doesn't cycle like some of my previous rigs, wouldn't these shocks limit "droop" travel? I've run 5150's on a SAS 4runner before with good results.

*Will the non-L OME limit droop as well on a 2.5" lift?

What to do?

[robmir]

I don't do hard core offroading with mine,also sold several combo OME/Bilstein to many of all my customers and as myself we are very happy with the Bilstein feeling and none so far has failed.

And I am talking about more than 10 years with them on mine.

But the rear set limiting the 2 1/2 coils, that's absolutely true.

[RavenTai]

Originally Posted by akarilo

Just got through looking on e-shocks.com and they state that the F4-b-46-1477-HO and 1478 are for "Standard" suspension height replacement. They site doesn't offer a lift compatible Bilstein for the 80 series. They do however list Edlebrock for a 3" lift.

*Are the Bilsteins no longer than the factory shocks? Unless the 80 series suspension doesn't cycle like some of my previous rigs, wouldn't these shocks limit "droop" travel? I've run 5150's on a SAS 4runner before with good results.

*Will the non-L OME limit droop as well on a 2.5" lift?

What to do?

Bilsteins 1477 1478 are are stock replacement shocks, they are closer in length to the OEM than to a shock designed for a 2.5" lift, being slightly longer than stock they work well with the low lift springs,

1477/1478 full extension is shorter than the non-L OME full extension. if you search you can dig up the actual numbers, IIRC the distance is between one and two inches.

I like my Bilsteins, I still have stock springs, I would like some low lift springs.

[alia176]

Originally Posted by akarilo

Bilstein B46-1477/1478? I keep seeing this model mentioned for the "low lift" OME springs. Will these provide enough "stroke" for the 2.5" lift or is there a model that is better suited for that application?

Thanks, KR

KR,

You'll love the Blings. I used to have OMEs but they wore out rather quickly. The Blings control the body movement a lot better IMHO. I have the 7100s.

Cheers.

[Assassin_Offroad]

Originally Posted by Nay

I agree, I love Bilstein shocks. The question is whether you love them with OME springs. OME on the 80 is designed for a lot of shock damping, which the standard Bilstein may not provide, leaving you with a bouncy feel.

Not correct, the OME is a soft shock, and OME ran firm spring rates.

The coils job is to hold the vehicle at the height you want loaded, the shocks job is to prvent the repeated movement of the coil when being compressed or extended on the road.

If the vehicle hits the bump stops while driving, it means the shock isnt firm enough, more than the spring rate isnt correct.

Bilstein will offer far less "cabin movement" over the same obstacles, than pretty much any twin tube shock available, when valved to suit the application.

[alia176]

Originally Posted by Assassin_Offroad

when valved to suit the application.

Well said and I stress this particular point heavily - properly valved shocks can do wonders for your ride. When ordering shocks from eshocks be sure to discuss your particular vehicle's weight and intended use.