Bilsteins for the 200 (1 Viewer)

[arich]

Bilsteins for the 200 installed-adjustable height

Ok, I've finally had enough and I ordered the Bilstein 4600s for the 200. I'll install and post a review.
I think I'm the first to install.

Here's a pic of the stock rear Shock
Support the axle from below with an axle jack.

The top of the shock is MUCH easier to get to than the 100. Slide a wrench through the gap in the wheel wheel and then grab the top of the shock body with Channel locks

Remove the bottom bolt and remove the stock shock.
Install in reverse, the only difference being that the bilsteins have an allen wrench in the top of the shock so that you can tighten the top bolt. I found in easiest the slide the wrench through the slot shown above and reach around and under with the allen wrench.
REAR DONE- Left side 40 minutes, right side 10 minutes!!

Start the front by removing supporting both sides under the A arms. I did both side simultaneously.
Remove the large bolt at the bottom.

Remove the 4 nuts at the top.

Driver's side (Left) is a PIA. You have to remove the little bracket to access the 4th nut. Inner front nut. Notice too how its the only rusty one. Water must pool in there.

I removed the end links from the roll bars on both sides. Sorry No picture. Toyota directs said to unbolt them at the roll bar supports to. I didnt because I couldn't understand why. I also disconnected steering arms for more room.
You have to wrestle the old ones out with a crow bar on the lower a-arm.

NOW THE COOLEST PART- a pleasant surprise. The bilsteins are equipped with three choices for height. I had not idea. Thought they were fixed. There is no indication on the website as to this. I went with the hightest setting and gained an inch of front height. Just enough.

Reverse the procedure and install

Am I missing a splash guard HERE? I didnt remove anything.

I placed the truck on the ground and reconnected the swaybar links. Front 2.5 hours total.

Since I wasn't aware the the shocks were going to be adjustable I did not take preinstall measurements. But I now have 36 from ground to fender lip.
Here are a few pics. I think the stance is a little better.
I am also running 275/65/18 Michelin LTX MS2s

Original

The ride is MUCH better. Much more damped and controlled the way the truck should have been from the factory.

I have the stock shocks with just 30K on them is someone wants to give me anything for them.

 

[maujkar]

Ok, I've finally had enough and I ordered the Bilstein 4600s for the 200. I'll install and post a review.
I think I'm the first to install.

Yes please post the details : before and after clearance and rack/

 

[chimyz]

Are these rear shocks? Do you have springs and something for the front? Details please. You may be the first on mud to do Bilsteins on the 200.

 

[gaijin]

Please keep us updated. Any and all info/pics would be very much appreciated.

TIA

 

[mark71]

Definately give us the details. I loved the Bilsteins on my old 4Runner, and would love to put a set on my cruiser.

Well, I would actually prefer to put a set of high-dollar Radflo or other shocks on, but can't justify the $$$.

 

[arich]

Bilsteins Installed

Bilsteins Installed

 

[bjowett]

Toyota doesn't install a splash sheild in that spot, not sure why.... possibly air flow.

Good to know they have the grooves, just like the Tundra Billsteins.

 

[mark71]

Arich, thanks for the write up. i, too, have decided to keep my LC low profile and upgrade the suspension without lifting. I've always loved Bilsteins, so I am happy to know that we have this option and that it works well.

Side note: isn't it amazing that that little ring is strong enough to support the spring collar, hence 1/4 of the vehicle weight?

 

[arich]

Side note: isn't it amazing that that little ring is strong enough to support the spring collar, hence 1/4 of the vehicle weight?

Yes, amazing, it's retained in the bottom spring perch in an inset, if it were not retained I might be a bit worried but it has nowhere to go.

The Bilstein stocks have done wonders to the handling and general tightness of the truck. Kids even said, "dad, it doesn't rattle anymore." I think theyre referring to the rear axle hopping. The highway handling is simply smooth and controlled. The vibrations that I referred to in previous posts is gone.

Still feel there is a vibration in the front end over rough pavement that is simply inherent to the design.

Towed the boat yesterday and it was much more controlled. The rear also didnt seem to sag as much. Dont know how that be. I have airbags and the compressor ready to install for towing. It's simply for those long tips to montauk several times a year.

 

[texaswakerep]

Arich - Where did you purchase your Bilsteins?

 

[arich]

Arich - Where did you purchase your Bilsteins?

Simple. Shox.com. About $600.
http://www.shox.com/appguide/shoxshop/productsdisplay.php

 

[maujkar]

Arich - Where did you purchase your Bilsteins?

Amazon has them.

 

[texaswakerep]

Bilsteins will be here tomorrow! Now hopefully I will have time to install this weekend. FYI - Shox.com says Bilstein went up on their price...roughly $750 for all four + $20 shipping.

Arich - can I simply follow your directions or should I seek out Toyota service manual directions as well? Does the KDSS system need to be disengaged?

 

[arich]

Bilsteins will be here tomorrow! Now hopefully I will have time to install this weekend. FYI - Shox.com says Bilstein went up on their price...roughly $750 for all four + $20 shipping.

Arich - can I simply follow your directions or should I seek out Toyota service manual directions as well? Does the KDSS system need to be disengaged?

Follow the directions. The only PIA was the end when I reconnected the sway bar links to the control arms. I had to lower the truck back to the ground and bring the control arms UP to th end links.

DO NOT open any of the KDSS valves. Just use your common sense and have a couple big screw drivers on ply bars around to get the lower part of the strut out.

Get an alignment afterwards.

Edit: you definitely should open the KDSS system to make the install easier and recalibrate the system.

 

[RTaylor]

Any updtaes, or others who have installed Bilsteins?

 

[texaswakerep]

I've got a few thousand miles on my Bilsteins now, and they are a huge improvement in my opinion. The truck doesn't roll around so much anymore, driving feels much tighter. The tradeoff is you feel bumps a bit more, but nothing major. Also a bonus is that going to the highest position on the front, levels the truck. Looks great and handles better. Very satisfied here.

After I installed them, I did have to re-calibrate KDSS as described here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/200-series-cruisers/729272-new-shocks-settle-time.html

It was super easy though

 

[arich]

Was everyone who installed Bilsteins able to get alignment within Spec. I have negative camber and think I need to go back in. Shop didn't mention that anything was wrong.
No Upper control Arm upgrades.

Think I'll just go to Toyota since they have to do a recall repair on the floormats/accelerator pedal.

Anthony

 

[arich]

I was the first in the US to install the Bilsteins and while I love them they are a little too stiff for me. A friend let me drive his truck with Radflos and they better suit what I need the truck for, family trips skiing into the mtns.
My shocks will come mounted with stock springs so you can swap them out without visiting a mechanic. Just follow my tutorial above. No need for a strut press. The rears are simple. This will give you a one inch lift in the front and a .5 inch lift in the rear leveling the truck.
Contact me ASAP as I have the radflos on order. My loss and insanity will be your gain.
Ant

 

[KY Longhunter]

I just replaced my rear shocks with Bilstein by myself with help from this thread and many PM's to arich!

I thought I would add the following should it help anyone else in the future. The top of OEM shock has a hex top where your channel locks can grip the shock and keep it from turning (I was unclear on this, and got extremely aggravated when shock body would turn on me).

Thanks again to Arich!

 

[arich]

You're welcome. Any time!!