Yet Another: 6112/5160 Review-ish

Figured I spent enough time on these forums to contribute my thoughts. I had the Bilstein 6112/5160 combo installed on the truck last week and am thoroughly satisfied. They went on a TRD Off-Road so the above replaced a set of Bilstein 4600. They’re set at 1.9 though I will most likely take it to 2.5 or whatever the top setting is within a couple months (time permitting).

I ended up going with the Level 8 MK6 wheel in 18x8 (+12 offset) and Toyo RT 275/70/18. Love the wheel, really love the tire.

Overall review of the new suspension is that it handles very nicely. Anyone who lives in SoCal or more closely to 57/91 know how bad the concrete sections of the freeway can be. I won’t say this set up removes the bed bounce, but it really helps get it under control and makes it more manageable. Handles the trails without issues and feels incredibly stable. I drive my truck hard in the dirt and didn’t feel the need to back off or bottom out at all.

By no means am I an avid off-road-er but I love to get sideways just as much as the next guy on here. These shocks allow me to do just that with confidence and at the same time keep some money in the bank for baby’ new shoes.

This forum rocks, and you all are the reason for that. Cheers!

 

Welcome from Houston! Truck looks good.

 

Thanks for the review. Still trying to decide if I should save some money and go the 6112/ 5160 route or go overkill like I do everything else and go with the Pro Suspension or something similar. Just curious, where did you get the install done? I live in San Diego as well and have been looking for a reputable shop.

 

There’s a guy in Vista that’s on the Tacoma world forums under @speedfreek. He does quality work at a honest and fair price. Lots of good reviews. He installed my 6112s

 

Thank you Sir, I’ll have to give him a call. Looks like he is a mechanic for hire. Does he have a shop or do it at home type deal?

 

Thanks for the review. Would you say the ride on the road is more firm?

 

He has a lift on his property.

 

Yikes. Love the tires, but Les Schwab's online quote is like $450 ea! That's double a Goodyear Duratrac.

 

Welcome from NC! Beautiful truck!! Any lift in the rear?

 

No lift in the back, just swapped the stock Bilsteins for the new 5160’s.

 

Unfortunately they were not inexpensive, but I found them on Tirecrawler for far less and my local Allen Tire price matched.

 

Firm? I would say more sure footed- read that as you will. It eats up speed bumps and rebounds quickly without jolting passengers. Simple freeway driving seems to be about the same but I don’t feel SoCal freeway faults nearly as bad as I did before.

 

Having never been in a Pro, I can’t comment on that set up. At the risk of insulting anyone with a Pro that may read this, I feel like you can get far better suspension then the Pro shocks for the price. I personally didn’t see the need to spend that much money, hence the route I took. This set up exceeded my expectations without a doubt.

As far as the set up- I had a local Allen Tire install everything. They were fair priced and knew what they were doing when I spoke them at the Off Road show in Pomona last month. Since I went with the 275/70 tire size I didn’t have to do the BMC, but truth be told I wasn’t ready to have someone cut my truck up to fit a larger tire when I wouldn’t personally benefit from it.

Hope this helps!

 

Been listening to The Truck Show Podcast and Bilstein is releasing some 8100 series shocks for the tundra (May possibly be available now) that are supposed to be unreal!

 

Definitely BA looking! Pricey though, I could get PRO suspension for less...

 

Honestly, if I went up to the top setting it would be for nothing more the aesthetics. Only reason I didn’t go that high to begin with is because I was concerned about the difficulty of putting my son in his car seat. As it sits today it isn’t terrible, but it is high enough that my wife can’t get him in now. Oh well.

 

I'm looking at doing the exact same suspension on my truck (i.e. 1.9 w/5160's). Did you do the diff drop or keep it stock? I was going to purchase them pre-assembled from Boss4x4 and then have the dealer install the fronts. Any other pieces I should get to help the install?

 

No diff drop necessary. I’ve already put some pretty aggressive mileage on it and had it airborn and didn’t have any/haven’t had any issues with it. I did do the shim on the driver’s side to combat the lean. Otherwise you’re all set!

 

Looks good

 

Looking good.

 

Was reading some reviews on the 5160 some of the reviews stated that this Beilsten have leaking issues.

Has anyone had this issues with the 5160?

 

Looks like this is only available for the Tacoma for now.

 

I’ve read about one or two instances. While any shock has the possibility of leaking, I always look at how they were used leading up to that point. I use my truck pretty hard, and haven’t yet seen anything suspicious. That being said, I haven’t towed yet. They’re serviceable per Bilstein, but one has to ask- what does it cost to service and rebuild vs buying a new one?

 

Thanks OP for the response.

Moving through your build.

I would recommend a sway bar for your build. I have a hellwig swaybar and placed at stiffest setting and it help with the bed bounce. My 2 cents.

 

Thank you, I actually installed a TRD sway bar over the weekend.

 

Update:

I’ve since installed a TRD sway bar and find it to be incredibly beneficial. Bodyroll has been tamed and truck feels grounded.

Bilsteins have held up just as I thought they would. I’ve looked them over for any signs of leakage since their first trip out included my wonderful wife jumping the truck and can’t find a single thing wrong. I’ve questioned changing the setting from 1.9 to 2.4 or whatever it is, but I am not sure I want to hear about how I’m the only one who can reach the car seat for the boy... so it stays for now. I’m rough on my truck, maybe too rough, but they eat urban and dirt roads with ease.

Only complaint: tires. The Toyo RT 275/70/18 looks great! I LOVE the way they look, and really can say they perform rather well in sand and dirt. On road- garbage. They hum (not mud terrain hum, but more unbalanced sound). I’ve had them balanced twice now, but in an effort to give them once last chance I may have them done once more and ditch the “complementary” nitrogen for regular good ole fashion air. Also, mine appear to have a lot of gashes, or chunks in the treads. I know I beat them up, but damn!

Summary: love the Bilsteins. I’d buy them again if I had to get another truck tomorrow. Wheels are great, perform just as a wheel should. Tires are (read above). Taking the truck out again this next weekend for a forth trip. Cheers everyone!

 

@aminter0 do you have a side shot of your truck?

 

I just browsed through my pictures and couldn’t believe it, but I don’t have a side shot. I’ll get one today.

 

Did you ever get a chance to post a pic of the side shot?

 

Totally forgot, so sorry! But here ya go...