Bilstein 6112 2.65 Front coilovers

[RobertD]

Yeah the tires rubbed on the body mount brackets, the fender-well liner, and the front bumper. Everything got trimmed. Going to flatten the pinch weld in the back of the wheel wells next, and then get a metal tech front bumper. Rear bumper too when it's available.

 

[RobertD]

Also the front coilovers have one more notch if I wanted to raise it the full 2.5". Will probably try it out when I get the front bumper on.

 

[Twompers]

Really like the skid plates, very clean. Btw really digging the Trd pro wheels. I wanted a Trd pro before buying my gx, but I couldn't justify paying the big bucks. 285/75 nice. I'm cautious on the tire size just because I don't want to do a whole lot of trimming. I'm leaning toward 275/70s. I was wondering what made you choose 5100s over the newer external res rears? Thanks for all the insight.

 

[RobertD]

Thanks, the wheels are the FN Wheels f(X) pro wheels, same design as the TRD pro wheels but one inch wider and their offset sets them out more than the TRD wheels.

I went with the 5100's because they saved me a good bit of money and i liked the simplicity of no external reservoir. They work great so far.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

I installed the with 5160 rear shocks a little while back. The ride is nice, although IMO body motions aren't all that well controlled. I installed the 6112s on the third notch up and got 1.25 inches of lift in front. In the rear I left the stock airbags in place. The 5160s were a bit stiff at stock height, so I raised the airbags about 1/2 inch by adjusting the sensors. This firmed up the airbags and made a much better match for the shocks. The ride improved significantly. They've softened up a bit mor as the miles as up.

I wasn't super impressed until last week when I went down a dirt road for the first time since the install. The washboards were terrible, but the truck glided over them like they weren't even there. It was amazing.

 

[Riflman]

This is an old thread, but I'm just building my GX470 now and looking at the Bilstein 6112. I'm confused with which part number. Some say use the FJ listed version, some say the new 4runner version. Bilstein won't comment as they do not support install in the GX470. I ran custom valved Bilsteins for years on Rovers, and in the Canadian north I always had issues with heims, leaks and blown shocks even on the 7100's with RR's. The GX470 is 500# heavier than the prado, 300# heavier than the 4runner V8. But I'm confused more about the length of the shocks and the coils. Prado coils are 370mm unstrung so I would think the GX470 would be similar. Also, I'm told the shock bodies are longer on the FJ I think, or is that 4runner?? Bilstein will NOT supply me with the specs on either shock as they insist it's a kit. I for one would like to know exactly what the OAL of the shocks are open and compressed, and the length of the springs. Also the 4runner version has a 600# coil, but I'm told there were 14 different spring rates offered in the 4gen 4runners. Anyone have any more info on the correct GX470 part numbers? For those who have them in their GX470, which part number did you order and how are they performing. Also, Bilstein will not warranty or support their shocks in the GX as per their Poway office. P.S. I now live in San Pedro, California. No more road salt for now!

 

[GXO]

The 4R would be closest for length and weight, but there is nothing specifically for the GX470.

 

[Riflman]

Okay. For whatever reason the 4runner versions (newest version that are supposedly perfected) are more than the ones for the FJ. I'm looking into Fox now. For another $125 I get them fully assembled so seems like abetter bet. Now just to figure out which fox coilovers.

 

[GXO]

the 2.5 for the 120 Prado or 03-09 4R would be very nice.

 

[Riflman]

the 2.5 for the 120 Prado or 03-09 4R would be very nice.

Too much for me these days. I spent $35k on a $67k truck once. Those days for me are over. I might do the 2.0 series but I don't need remote reservoirs these days. I'm just around the bend from hitting the big 5-0 and becoming a bit more conservative in my spending, less active and aggressive in my offroad driving, and maybe a little wiser. Translation: CHEAP. Lol.

 

[subspd]

Bumping an old thread on these shocks. Anyone else running them? Seems like the 4runner guys really like them but not many GX owners are rocking them from what I can tell. For a full 2.5" shock they seem like a good deal. Would love some real world experience. I am considering the 6112/5160 combo or going to a Fox 2.5/2.0 combo for $500 more.

 

[Shpnout]

Very happy with this combo. Be sure to get the 650lb spring up front. This is an increase of 15% over stock. I set up mid perch then once bumper and winch added went to top perch. FWIW I also went with the metal tech medium in the rear, also about 15% stiffer. This will likely change once rear bumper arrives.

 

[subspd]

Very happy with this combo. Be sure to get the 650lb spring up front. This is an increase of 15% over stock. I set up mid perch then once bumper and winch added went to top perch. FWIW I also went with the metal tech medium in the rear, also about 15% stiffer. This will likely change once rear bumper arrives.

Where did you get it all from MT?

 

[GXNerd]

@subspd - The "base" 6112s for Toyota are 600lb springs.

You can see all of the part numbers here, 4th gen T4R is the best option for a 470: https://www.bilstein.com/us/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/BILSTEIN_B8_6112_Flyer_2018_WEB.pdf

47-260153 Front - again these are 600lbs.
25-227611 Rear

BUT - they've never updated that sheet to include the new heavier spring option.

Bilstein 6112 47-284142 is the Part Number associated with the Toyota 6112s with 650lb springs.

According to Battleborn:

New from BILSTEIN Suspension - heavier weight front spring pair for Toyota 6112 / 8112 coilover applications. Added a front bumper or winch? Want some extra lift? Bilstein 53-291387 spring pair will add .7" of lift to your current 6112s and was designed for those with 80-140lbs of added weight, or V8 4th Gen 4Runners. This is a 650lb rate spring

So if you are a stock-ish or maybe light bumper 470, the 650 is probably perfect. You can definitely run the 600s, but with the 650s you'll be able to run a much lower perch (less pre-load) for the same amount of lift.

The 6112s have been around for several years, but the 650 spring option only came out in early 2019.

If you buy the shocks and springs separate the 650s are Part Number 53-291387.

Don't believe any of the "lift height" settings you see for 6112s floating around on the 4runner and Taco forums unless they specifically say they are the heavier weight springs, they are all talking about V6 4runners with 600lb springs, which don't apply to us at all.

For a stock weight GX470 with 650lb springs this is the lift height I've calculated for the perch settings:

Special NOTE: These are theoretical lift over "factory" stock height, which Kyle at TreatyOakOffroad has polled and estimated at:

20" Stock Center Hub to Stock Fender Front
21.25" Stock Center Hub to Stock Fender Rear

If your suspension is old/saggy you might get more than this from your current height.

• 1.7
• 1.98
• 2.26
• 2.54
• 2.83
• 3.11
• 3.4
  

If you are stock weight with the 650s and set them higher than perch 2 or 3, the ride is going to be pretty rough.

Also - you can set driver side 1 notch higher than passenger to even out the Toyota lean.

Bilstein does not offer a 700lb spring in the 6112 that I know of, and in fact they have said not to use 700lb springs with the 6112s. Anybody offering 6112s with true 700lb springs have combined them in-house, usually with the Eibach 700s. Bilstein recommends against this so, do it at your own risk.

 

[SIMKGX]

Personally, I have been on 6112 with 650 springs on the bottom perch (one up on driver side to combat lean) for 14ish months with no front sway bar. I'm a big fan of the ride vs stock. Previous vehicle was a 2001 Tacoma DC with OME suspension and this rides much better.

Other relevant information related to ride quality,
255/80/17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers
JBA UCAs
Icon 2.0 RR with Dobinson 677v in rear (used to have 675V rear until I built my rear storage system)

Pic is pre-677v and rear storage. Rear height is maybe .1" higher now after the added rear weight and spring rate.

 

[Shpnout]

FWIW the 650lb bilstein spring is a standard coilover spring, 14" in length.

I'd also add that the top perch and preload concerns around ride comfort were not an issue for me. Not harsh at all. I started at perch 3 and am now on highest.

 

[subspd]

VERY helpful fellas @Shpnout @SIMKGX

 

[subspd]

If anyone has the 5160 in the rear are they long travel? Or stock?