Choosing Between Bilstein 5100 & 5160 Rear Shocks For Mall Crawling Tow Rig

[jonshonda]

Hello all,

The GX (80k miles) is due for new rear shocks based on the witness marks left by the bumpstops on the rear axle and the ride quality, and I'm trying to decide which route to go. I didn't buy the GX for it's off road prowess (don't burn me at the stake), I bought it to load up with our family of 4, two 80lb labs, a 7ft cargo box full of fire wood on the roof, hooked up to our 4500lb camper (loaded), and go camping as well as perform well as a DD.

It is a Luxury with rear air springs which will remain in place as towing with the OEM air springs is vastly superior to coils/bags ( I only mention that because I see that the Bilstein site suggests coil conversions as a requirement for the shocks, but I'm guessing that is a clerical error). I am looking for the best overall road manners, and would like a bit more of a refined ride whilst towing.

I don't plan on lifting the rear, but will likely be ordering the Bilstein 6112's for the front with stock weight springs to level the vehicle. I'm leaning a bit towards the 5160's as I've heard they can perform better/similar to the 5100's with a bit less of a harsh ride.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Have 5100s on both the GX460 and 5th gen 4runner. They are great.

 

[ericm979]

The Bilsteins are high pressure gas shocks with digressive damping. My experience with them on other vehicles is that they increased firmness on small bumps and also roll stiffness in corners. The firmer ride wasn't bad but it was noticeable. On big bumps they are looser. With the huge sway bars that KDSS enables the GX doesn't need roll stiffness from shocks in corners and thus can use soft shocks.

I think for a stock ride height and keeping the ride similar to stock that you could go with a higher than OE quality twin tube damper like the KYB Excel-G. OTOH you may find the slightly firmer ride of the Bilsteins appealing and there's certainly nothing wrong with that.

Many of the Bilsteins allow for longer wheel travel. You don't need to increase the ride height for that, you will just get more wheel droop than stock when they are unweighted.

 

[Roody]

How much is everyone paying for a lift with 5100s these days?

 

[Hiluxforever]

Mine was the cost if the dampers, that's all I had to do, so $600

 

[JBR14]

Hello all,

The GX (80k miles) is due for new rear shocks based on the witness marks left by the bumpstops on the rear axle and the ride quality, and I'm trying to decide which route to go. I didn't buy the GX for it's off road prowess (don't burn me at the stake), I bought it to load up with our family of 4, two 80lb labs, a 7ft cargo box full of fire wood on the roof, hooked up to our 4500lb camper (loaded), and go camping as well as perform well as a DD.

It is a Luxury with rear air springs which will remain in place as towing with the OEM air springs is vastly superior to coils/bags ( I only mention that because I see that the Bilstein site suggests coil conversions as a requirement for the shocks, but I'm guessing that is a clerical error). I am looking for the best overall road manners, and would like a bit more of a refined ride whilst towing.

I don't plan on lifting the rear, but will likely be ordering the Bilstein 6112's for the front with stock weight springs to level the vehicle. I'm leaning a bit towards the 5160's as I've heard they can perform better/similar to the 5100's with a bit less of a harsh ride.

I wanted a 2" / 1" lift on my 15. After talking with Tandem Offroad, I went with 5160's up front, and a 1 inch Dobinsons spring paired with Bilstein 6100 shocks in the rear. I do not do hardcore offroading, and was looking more for aesthetics and a good ride quality. I had them install everything, and am impressed. It still rides well, isnt harsh, etc. Granted, I had only had the GX for about 2-3 weeks before I had all this done.

 

[r2m]

have you thought about air bags?
It may be cheaper, keep your cushy ride and handle the trailer without getting too stiff a shocks and/or a raised rear end (stink bug look).

 

[llm]

have you thought about air bags?
It may be cheaper, keep your cushy ride and handle the trailer without getting too stiff a shocks and/or a raised rear end (stink bug look).
View attachment 3894360

airbags are a good solution. I have 6112/5100 combo with airbags and allows flexibility. If I must need rear clearance, I can also lift my rear by 2" by inflating the airbags to max.

 

[ZIOI]

Hello all,

The GX (80k miles) is due for new rear shocks based on the witness marks left by the bumpstops on the rear axle and the ride quality, and I'm trying to decide which route to go. I didn't buy the GX for it's off road prowess (don't burn me at the stake), I bought it to load up with our family of 4, two 80lb labs, a 7ft cargo box full of fire wood on the roof, hooked up to our 4500lb camper (loaded), and go camping as well as perform well as a DD.

It is a Luxury with rear air springs which will remain in place as towing with the OEM air springs is vastly superior to coils/bags ( I only mention that because I see that the Bilstein site suggests coil conversions as a requirement for the shocks, but I'm guessing that is a clerical error). I am looking for the best overall road manners, and would like a bit more of a refined ride whilst towing.

I don't plan on lifting the rear, but will likely be ordering the Bilstein 6112's for the front with stock weight springs to level the vehicle. I'm leaning a bit towards the 5160's as I've heard they can perform better/similar to the 5100's with a bit less of a harsh ride.

Hey Jon, good to see you on here (I'm on GJ as well).

The 5160s have the same valving as the 5100s, just with a remote reservoir. The remote reservoir gives the 5160s a bit less initial stiffness and makes that digressive valving work really well.

In WI salty winters (I grew up in central WI in Neillsville and have eaten Norske Nook pie) the Bilsteins rust really fast, that's the only gripe I'd leverage about them. The zinc plating on the bodies is pretty lame for rust resistance.

ON my base model 2011, I'll be staying with the stock coils but going with Ironman FCPs for shocks. The twin tube works better for what I want from my pavement-biased rig.

CHeck out the video that sold me on the FCPs: