shocks

[sleeoffroad]

I have seen several blown, leaking OME shocks but only a couple Bilstein 5100's fail. The Bilsteins are firmer shocks than OME though.

Not disagreeing, but in all the time we have done ome, and sold them, we have had maybe 1 or 2 shocks that leaked. However I am also aware that the people in Australia trash them regularly, but then they have different driving conditions from us.

 

[Greg B]

I have to agree with Christo, I have used 5 different combinations of OME shocks on 3 different vehicles in the last 11 years and I haven't had any leak. They have been great. Is it maybe happening on LC's, but not other brands (Jeep and Rover)? Maybe the weight of the LC is more and causes more stress on the shock causing some to leak? I'm very curious to know as I just bought an 01 LC this week and I'm looking at what suspension pieces to use for my build up.

 

[calamaridog]

Not disagreeing, but in all the time we have done ome, and sold them, we have had maybe 1 or 2 shocks that leaked. However I am also aware that the people in Australia trash them regularly, but then they have different driving conditions from us.

The OME systems I have seen used on the Tacomas have often failed because people beat the crap out of them. This is not to say OME is not a good product. It is extremely affordable and way better than stock.

And the customer service support from ARB USA has always been outstanding as I have never heard a complaint on replacing a damaged piece.

These people I've known who want to beat the crap out of the stuff need heavier duty stuff like 2.5 coilovers, Deaver springs, and Bilsteins. Then again, the style of driving tends to include not just trails but also higher speed stuff as well. Plus, lots of these Taco guys are younger men who think they are Ivan Stewart reincarnated.

I'm leaning towards running a mild upgrade, such as OME and doing something more radical when I can afford to.

 

[ogsuv]

So 1 person has Bilsteins? that's hard to believe. I have 106k on my LC and think I need to do shocks. I would like a more FJ80 feel, stiffer, etc.... than the factory 100 shocks. I have had Bilsteins on other vehicles and loved them. My 80 has 200k on it and at 150k I put factory shocks on and were great, but I guess the factory 100 shocks are meant for a different ride? Not sure they would accomplish what I want.

I am a city dweller, with only the occasional curb, hill, field driving. I am thinking Bilsteins. What do you all think?

 

[calamaridog]

I think Bilsteins are a very good, off the shelf shock. The HD series is available for stock suspension and supposedly they are working on 5125 replacement shocks for the 2" or so lift application.

So if this is for a stock suspension then certainly you can't go wrong with the HD series replacement shocks.

 

[calamaridog]

Part #'s for the Bilstein HD series shocks (yellow and blue):

Front - L4000-86911
Rear - L4000-86912

Part #'s for KYB GR2 (mid level KYB shock):

Front - 345022
Rear - 345023

 

[SWUtah]

Part #'s for the Bilstein HD series shocks (yellow and blue):

Front - L4000-86911
Rear - L4000-86912

Part #'s for KYB GR2 (mid level KYB shock):

Front - 345022
Rear - 345023

When I look up Bilstein HD shocks for my 1999 LC on shockwarehouse it shows the correct Bilstein part number for the HD shocks are BE5-2739 - H1 fronts and BE5-2740 rears at $64.95 each with free shipping. Why are your numbers different???

 

[calamaridog]

When I looked up the numbers in the current Bilstein catalogue, they came back as:

BE5-2739 Front HD series shock
BE5-2740 Rear HD series shock

My numbers were probably different because they were posted 10 months ago

Let us know how you like them!

 

[SWUtah]

When I looked up the numbers in the current Bilstein catalogue, they came back as:

BE5-2739 Front HD series shock
BE5-2740 Rear HD series shock

My numbers were probably different because they were posted 10 months ago

Let us know how you like them!

Ordered the Bilsteins from Shockwearhouse for $64.95 per shock with free shipping.

What would you say would be a fair install charge???

Thanks

 

[calamaridog]

2-3 hours labor?

Pay for my gas to UT and I'll do it for free

 

[spressomon]

The fronts are easy...a shop would probably get you for 1-hour for the front pair. The rears are a pain in the arse due to the top mounting nuts. I would guess they will probably get you for 2-hours for the rear pair.

 

[SWUtah]

Checked with two local places on the install. The local tire place that also does brakes, etc. quoted $65 to install all 4 shocks. The local place that did my timing belt, wants $170, says book shows 2 hours. Guess I'll go with the tire place where I bought my tires. If they were tearing down my engine I would be difference, this is more about having the lift and the tools, not rocket science. Thanks

 

[ats4x4dotcom]

took my OEM shocks off at 85K they were still OK.

is there a Bilsten for a lifted 100?

I have 285' BFG AT's, I like them alot, but now I kinda sorta wished I went with the same height but a little wider, forget if that a 305 or what, but the 285's look a bit skinny now that its lifted, height wise they are just fine......but when I did the 285's I was sure I was NEVER gonna lift it..........hell I should know myself better than that by now

We have our own made for the Aus 100 IFS, with the rear shock being longer than the N74L in our standard package, and the fronts are max leangth also.

We also use toyota bonded bushes, from a lexus in the front, and we have designed a special top washer and rubbers with 18mm shaft to prevent the nut pulling through the washer when it turns unside out on the front. [common problem with most aftermarket shocks for IFS 100 front]

We designed the valving, with velocity controlled vvalving, to work well on slightly loaded to fully loaded [like 9000lb loaded] 100 IFS trucks.

We have spoken with Christo regarding stocking the item, and trialling some.

John, just go 315 and be done with it

 

[spressomon]

Checked with two local places on the install. The local tire place that also does brakes, etc. quoted $65 to install all 4 shocks. The local place that did my timing belt, wants $170, says book shows 2 hours. Guess I'll go with the tire place where I bought my tires. If they were tearing down my engine I would be difference, this is more about having the lift and the tools, not rocket science. Thanks

65 bucks? SCORE!

 

[ppressle]

I have the HD's and highly recommend them. I am at stock ride height. I can only compare them to the worn oem shocks that the car came with though.

fwiw, I have been happy with HDs on a number of different sports cars and am no less happpy with them on the cruiser.

Pete

 

[dclee]

Quick question: I can't seem to find it in the archives, but would the Bilstein 5100 HD series (BE5-2739 and BE5-2740) work on a truck lifted ~2 inches? Do you just lose two inches in down-travel (not good)?

Thanks,

 

[calamaridog]

Those rear shocks have less travel and shouldn't be used with a lift.

 

[drsales]

With 96k I replaced the OE with the same. Again I pretty much do all highway with little if any offroad. The ride was better a little more controlled. But should be it's new. I just could not justify the Bilsteins added cost. Cost me $180 for install.

 

[colnagoc40]

what is the part no. for bilstein shocks with ahc? are they the same with non-ahc?

 

[TFS55]

yes bilsteins part nos will be the ssame but you have to do other things. you need to replace the rear coils with the non AHC ones or OME's. you have to reindex the front torsion bars as the AHC LC100's have smaller torsion bars and when you remove the AHC shocks they will bottom out. Just finsihed doing it on an LC100 all with OME parts.
This is on a Mid-east spec LC100 with front factory winch and AHC. probably the same model as yours since you come from P.I.