Bilstein 6112's: New Strut Top Hat / Strut Mounts? (1 Viewer)

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CG1

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Feb 9, 2025
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I just ordered a set of 6112's (Part Number: 47-311145) for my '21 TLC. Do you need new top hats/mounts/rubbers, or will the original units work with the 6112? If so, do you know what the part numbers are? Thanks much!
 
Nothing beats stock rubber components.

Depending on miles, might be worthwhile ordering stock replacement top mount bushings.
 
Where did you order from?

Some places offer them “assembled” and ya get the new top hat and rubber, etc…

I get my stuff from www.wheeleveryweekend.com

Ian and his wife are good friends of mine and I’m 100% fine for paying a few more bucks to support small veteran owned businesses

Ian set my Bilsteins up for me
 
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Curious if wherever ya ordered from ACTUALLY had them in stock. Most places don’t and the backorder times can get pretty nuts. Mine was months
 
Curious if wherever ya ordered from ACTUALLY had them in stock. Most places don’t and the backorder times can get pretty nuts. Mine was months
If they don't ship/show, I'll reach out to your folks -
 
If they don't ship/show, I'll reach out to your folks -

Yeah. I love Bilstein and their build quality is top tier compared to the rest so the wait was what it was

I’m sure I could find something with linear valving that might be a little smoother, but I’m not really willing to give up the build quality of Bilstein
 
Curious, not to hijack the thread, but what kind of lift over stock height have you guys experienced with the 6112/5160s. It's listed as a max of 3" (I assume with no additional weight in front or back). I want to fit 35" tires eventually and the Bilsteins seem like quite the cost effective option for just sheer vertical clearance.

Also I assume swapping over top hats from a 205k mile LC is probably a bad idea?
 
Curious, not to hijack the thread, but what kind of lift over stock height have you guys experienced with the 6112/5160s. It's listed as a max of 3" (I assume with no additional weight in front or back). I want to fit 35" tires eventually and the Bilsteins seem like quite the cost effective option for just sheer vertical clearance.

Also I assume swapping over top hats from a 205k mile LC is probably a bad idea?

The 6100s have 6 clip positions so you can set height

I set mine to clip 3 and got almost exactly 1 3/4” lift, exactly what I wanted. I wanted to use OEM uppers

But note, each clip position increases preload, so will be slightly stiffer as you go up. I don’t have a bumper or any weight on the front of mine, and 3 seems to be just right.

Swapping top hats with 200k on them is an awful idea.

They’re cheap enough, buy new
 
The 6100s have 6 clip positions so you can set height

I set mine to clip 3 and got almost exactly 1 3/4” lift, exactly what I wanted. I wanted to use OEM uppers

But note, each clip position increases preload, so will be slightly stiffer as you go up. I don’t have a bumper or any weight on the front of mine, and 3 seems to be just right.

Swapping top hats with 200k on them is an awful idea.

They’re cheap enough, buy new
Honestly, ride quality isn't too much of a concern for me. Previous DD was a 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, you could feel every little pebble in your path with that thing. Though I must admit stock suspension ride quality of the 200 is rather impressively smooth. Only reason I ask is that everything I've been able to read about fitting 34"+ tires involves quite a few work-arounds to get proper clearances due to KDSS, Body mounts, Pinch welds, etc. and a higher lift might be able to alleviate a few things minus the KDSS.

Thanks for the info!
 
Yeah. I love Bilstein and their build quality is top tier compared to the rest so the wait was what it was

I’m sure I could find something with linear valving that might be a little smoother, but I’m not really willing to give up the build quality of Bilstein
sorry to jump in the thread ;)
that is quite a strong statement. At this moment I am considering OME, Pedders, stock and maybe Bilstein. Could you elaborate a bit on the superiority of Bilstein?
thanks in advance
 
sorry to jump in the thread ;)
that is quite a strong statement. At this moment I am considering OME, Pedders, stock and maybe Bilstein. Could you elaborate a bit on the superiority of Bilstein?
thanks in advance

Well…. It’s different strokes different folks with suspension opinions

A lot of folks jumped on the big $ icon bandwagon. I personally know 3 people in my circle of Offroad buddies that had their icons pissing fluid within 20k miles

Same with Kings. Kings used to be the premium. They got super popular and the quality control went in the crapper. Personally know several people with Kings pissing oil way before they shoud

Yes, some “higher end” shocks require maintenance, and rebuilds, but I’m at the point of my life, I have ZERO interest in taking apart my suspension once a year for maintenance, Nosireebob. I’d rather be out using it.

Yes, you’ll have some folks that swear up and down their kings and icons are the best thing since sliced bread and that’s fine. Good for them, I’m glad they like what they bought, me personally, no way.

You’ll be hard pressed to find anyone with leaking Bilsteins or Old Man Emu shocks (original yellow ones)

BP51s not included, they seem to be OME fail and on par with the other “higher maintenance level” shocks and warranty and rebuild issues.

ADS is a premium shock as well, and i run them on my Ram and Had them on my tundra. Lots of abuse, zero leaks. They make offerings for the 200, and Slee even sells them, but oddly, I’m not aware of ANYONE running them.

Suspension is like pizza. Ask 10 people their opinions, and you’ll get 10 different opinions

My opinions are based on personal experience and doing this over 25 years, not on IG marketing and hype

Everyone and their mom jumped on the icon bandwagon because they had amazing marketing. Now..? Most avoid them like the plague.

Bilstein and YELLOW Old Man Emu have been around forever, problem free. Are they the best/premium ride? No… are they bombproof and maintenance free? Yes..

Pick your poison
 
Could you elaborate a bit on the superiority of Bilstein?

To be 100% clear

I am speaking of BUILD QUALITY and durability

They are a digressive valved shock so they might seem a bit stiffer at slow speeds
 
Well…. It’s different strokes different folks with suspension opinions

A lot of folks jumped on the big $ icon bandwagon. I personally know 3 people in my circle of Offroad buddies that had their icons pissing fluid within 20k miles

Same with Kings. Kings used to be the premium. They got super popular and the quality control went in the crapper. Personally know several people with Kings pissing oil way before they shoud

Yes, some “higher end” shocks require maintenance, and rebuilds, but I’m at the point of my life, I have ZERO interest in taking apart my suspension once a year for maintenance, Nosireebob. I’d rather be out using it.

Yes, you’ll have some folks that swear up and down their kings and icons are the best thing since sliced bread and that’s fine. Good for them, I’m glad they like what they bought, me personally, no way.

You’ll be hard pressed to find anyone with leaking Bilsteins or Old Man Emu shocks (original yellow ones)

BP51s not included, they seem to be OME fail and on par with the other “higher maintenance level” shocks and warranty and rebuild issues.

ADS is a premium shock as well, and i run them on my Ram and Had them on my tundra. Lots of abuse, zero leaks. They make offerings for the 200, and Slee even sells them, but oddly, I’m not aware of ANYONE running them.

Suspension is like pizza. Ask 10 people their opinions, and you’ll get 10 different opinions

My opinions are based on personal experience and doing this over 25 years, not on IG marketing and hype

Everyone and their mom jumped on the icon bandwagon because they had amazing marketing. Now..? Most avoid them like the plague.

Bilstein and YELLOW Old Man Emu have been around forever, problem free. Are they the best/premium ride? No… are they bombproof and maintenance free? Yes..

Pick your poison
thanks a lot! 🙃

Icon / Kings are not really offered in Europe, so I won't even bother. Bilstein being an European brand is mysteriously not advertising itself in the 4x4 community here... However I should be able to get my hands on a set if I decide to. I want a set of springs and shocks for a better ride with a loaded vehicle, as the original suspension is 100k miles old.

As to OME I thought about their MT64 model - monotube, 2.5 in diameter - sounds good. Any remarks to those?
 
As to OME I thought about their MT64 model - monotube, 2.5 in diameter - sounds good. Any remarks to those?

I had debated those, since I’ve always been a huge OME fan, but couldn’t find anyone running them on a 200 to get real world feedback

Some here say the rear lower bushing design will cause bending of the mount, but I’m still not 100% sold on that theory.
 
i guess you grew into your bilsteins!
am i weird that i want 6112/5160 but at zero lift? i just want the improved dampers.
gonna send your friends an email and see what's up!
 
i guess you grew into your bilsteins!
am i weird that i want 6112/5160 but at zero lift? i just want the improved dampers.
gonna send your friends an email and see what's up!

Yeah, was tire pressure, not the shocks

They are right in Julian, and have a rad shop tucked away from people.

Lemme know if ya go that route and I’ll roll up there with ya
 
Honestly, ride quality isn't too much of a concern for me. Previous DD was a 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, you could feel every little pebble in your path with that thing. Though I must admit stock suspension ride quality of the 200 is rather impressively smooth. Only reason I ask is that everything I've been able to read about fitting 34"+ tires involves quite a few work-arounds to get proper clearances due to KDSS, Body mounts, Pinch welds, etc. and a higher lift might be able to alleviate a few things minus the KDSS.

Thanks for the info!

Just to clarify here. Suspension lift height has NOTHING to do with fitting a specific tire size, unless you're talking about a truck that never leaves a flat parking lot. Your suspension will cycle and compress whether you have a lift or not. A 35" tire with the front suspension fully compressed has the same clearance, regardless of whether you're completely stock or running a 3" lift. Suspension lift will not give you more tire clearance. I'll repeat that, suspension lift will not give you more tire clearance.

The secret sauce for fitting 35's on a LC200 seems to be a narrow tire (35x11.5 for example), perfect wheel offset and KDSS relocation. There is actually plenty of room in the fender wells for a 35" tire (once you move some plastic bits around). Also no issue with body mount or pinch welds assuming you've got good alignment (actually alignment closer to stock the better). The problem with the LC is the tires running into the KDSS bar, which a lift will not help with.
 

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