Upgrading to Bilstein 5100’s - need advice!

I’ll be upgrading my shocks to Bilstein 5100’s in all four corners sometime soon, probably when my truck hits 100k miles. Should I go ahead and install new springs to make the install a little quicker by swapping out the old with the new?

Are my springs with close to 100K miles still good or replace them? If so, I’ll eed recommendations on which ones to buy.
Thanks

 

For that money I’d go with Eibach and use the replacement springs. Your top hats are probably still fine.

 

Were you referring to this setup?
https://eibach.com/us/2819/E80-82-067-01-22-TOYOTA-Tundra-pro-truck-lift-system

 

Those will offer much better ride quality than the 5100’s…

You can also get them without coils and use new OEM coils.

 

I may have to switch it up and go with Eibach then! I was pricing the new oem coils and it was pricey so I’ll prob go with that setup in the link.

 

You won’t regret it, their a solid choice and after running them on a 5th gen 4Runner for a while I would pick them over Bilstein’s.

 

Yes. The middle clip setting is what I used.

 

Is your plans with the 5100 to level or lift? If so the ToyTec ultimate lift is pretty good for the money. It levels +1" ,3" over all.

 

Just looking to level, no lift.
My friend sent me this last night and I may go this route instead!

 

I used the Eibach springs and 5100s to level out my truck.

 

Question, if I am wanting to make my 2011 Tundra tow better and stop some of the bounce going down the road which would be better? Not really concerned too much about lifting the truck just wanting to make it tow better. I am towing between 6500 to 7500 camper. Thanks in advance.

 

Just get the standard Bilstein 4600 (not the OEM Bilstein). Just realize those are more geared for towing and such therefore they will ride much firmer. But they are excellent under load (towing or weight in bed).

 

Oey12, thanks I was looking at Bilstein already but I wasn't sure if they would do what I wanted them to do. I have airbags on my truck already which I believe help as well. I am thinking about adding a roadmaster active suspension to see if that will also help reduce the bounce. I don't want to waste money on stuff that I don't really need. Do you think that would be a waste or a good investment? Thanks.

 

I am assuming you have a 2011? Depends how old or how many miles your current shocks have to weather it’s worth changing. My general timeline is 50k or five years. There is no exact science it’s just something a mechanic told me as a young man that I continue to follow in regards to trucks. But that’s not for everyone…

My truck never really had that bounce many speak of. There’s one highway where I notice an odd pulsating but it never bothered me enough to worry about (this could honestly be entirely different than the dreaded “bounce”). I recently installed Coachbuilder rear 1 inch shackles (.625 lift unfortunately for your case). And I haven’t really noticed that pulsating on the highway anymore. The shackles improved ride quality and handling. In addition to the TRD sway bar, the rear end is highly composed compared to stock. I haven’t towed more than 2k at this point but have to force myself to check on the trailer because it never feels like something is attached to the truck.

That RAS system seems to get very positive reviews. I had airbags on my 2012 Tacoma and 2017 4Runner. They worked well on my 4Runner but the unloaded ride quality was terrible in the Tacoma. So basically I chose the Tundra so that I didn’t have to stiffen the suspension in order to tow 3 ATVs on a light weight aluminum trailer. I am honestly done with wanting a “firmer” ride.

 

Sorry, it is a 2011. Based on that formula it is time for new shocks. I am with you on the firmer ride, I want a smooth ride which empty my truck does have because I keep enough air in the airbags to keep the truck "level" which is about 7-10 pounds of air per side. The RAS does it get good reviews. I just know if it would be over kill. I may wait on that and put the Bilsteins on first and see how that does. Thanks again for the information.

 

Fyi. Eibach pro truck shocks has 2 part numbers. The 07-15 has 3 set points and the 16-21 model has 5 set points. I just got my 07-15 models and I’m a little bummed. I was really hoping to use the .6 setting and instead have to do a 1 inch setting. I tried the middle setting, holy crap 2.5 inches of lift with stock springs. I moved it back to their “stock” setting and its a hair over 1 inch of lift

 

The model i got was 82-067-02-10. The distance from the bottom spring holder to the lower eye is 5/8ths inch longer than stock. So it cannot be set to stock height as listed

 

I looked at the Eibach, but after reading "reviews" and seeing that some people were having seal leaking issues I went with the 5100s. Absolutely no regrets. I had them set in the middle clip position and the ride seems much superior than the stock shocks. Obviously reviews are very subjective but it was enough to sway my decision.

 

5100s are the way to go. One thing they don't market them as, but they are extended travel shocks.