Bilstein 6112 - do I add the 5160 ?

Looking for some insight of just replacing the front suspension to level the truck or replacing both - anyone have any insight to this ?

 

I just leveled my truck with 6112s set at 1.3 inch setting. I still have 3/4” to 1” rake which I wanted. I really like it. I went 5100s in the back though to save some coin and I am completely happy with the set up. Truck rides great. For my application this set up is perfect. I don’t know if there is a ride difference between the 5100s and 5160s. Some say no difference, some say there is a difference. Either way, I think you’ll like it.

 

Here’s the thread.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/6112s-5100s-installed.39390/

 

@tbrown

 

6112/5160

 

If you have the TRD and aren’t lifting the rear I haven’t seen numbers that show going to 5100s or 5160s in the rear is worth the effort. Shocks provide no lift on their own. You can always do the front then assess your needs going forward.

 

Good point. Should have added that I did icon aal in rear, and camburg uca up front with the bilsteins on top setting. Ride is pretty good on road, truck is very planted, solid off road, and takes big hits very well. You’ll love 6112 regardless of what you do in rear.

 

This is my current setup on the stock suspension with cooper STT Pros. Based on the suggestions above, thinking 6112's on the middle setting.

 

Tundra's 6112's have four settings. 0.9" 1.3" 1.9" and 2.5" - I think the Tacoma has 3 and a middle.

Lots of people do the 1.9" (3rd setting) which seems to make the truck nose high before they settle, but once they settle, they provide just about zero rake. I went with the 1.3" with a tad bit of rake. Can't go wrong with either one of those. I'm running 275/70r18 and they look great. If I went with a 35 or bigger tire, I'd go 1.9 or 2.5 and add a shackle in the back.

For a little extra money I went with the 5160s, can't say how the ride compares to the 5100s but after adding the front and back suspension, the drive is much nicer than OEM. The 5160 double barrel with the reserve is also a nice look for the malls.

 

I went with 6112s on +1.9" and nothing on the rear. When the rear shocks wear out I will probably upgrade but not to the 5160s. No need for the 5160s unless you are in to some serious off roading at speed. I had them on my last Tacoma and could really fly on the ranch roads where I hunt but I don't drive the Tundra like that. It is just not as nimble as the Tacoma. For what I do 5160s would be a waste of money.

 

Only other reason for the 5160's vs the 5100 is if you want to go with something like a coachbuilder +2 shackle (1.25" rear lift), which you might because of the extra weight of your cap. Especially if you go with 1.9" 6112s in the front. The 5100s I believe only provide 1" of extra travel and the 5160 provide 1.5" of extra travel. For the extra $75 a shock, it might not be a waste of money to have that option.

 

The 5100s are a good shock, but the 5160s supposedly provide shock damping performance more closely related to that of the 6112s. The 6112 is thicker with a 2.65” wide body. The bigger the shock, the longer it takes to heat up. The longer it takes to heat up, the less shock fade you get.

I could be wrong, but I believe the 5160 is essentially a 5100 but with the reservoir. The reservoir helps to add volume. The more volume, the more time it takes to heat up.

If you run rear 5100s with front 6112s, it’s possible the 5100s will fade before the 6112s do and won’t be able to keep up so to speak. Probably unlikely with regular street driving, but you may notice a difference if you’re bouncing along a lot on a day long trail.

 

If it helps, I recently switched out my rear 5100 for 5160. I only did one side first. Drove around nearby over typical road bumps..etc only on side then other other just to see. The feel is very similar but the 5160 is definitely a little softer feeling. After I installed the other one, drove around again.. Wouldn't say day and night type difference but just a touch softer is all. Will be bringing it out on the trails this weekend to see how it does off road.

 

Great feedback

 

I'm running the 5100s in the back with @BOSS4x4s shackles on the top setting 1.5" lift. No issues here. The 1" is a conservative number.

 

^^^ This! Although I'm running the 5100s on all four corners.

 

Any update on this? I currently have 6112/5100 and am contemplating swapping to the 5160s. I would consider it worth it if they do in fact have a more “supple” feel than the 5100s do. Not that 5100s are rough at all because they were a night and day difference from my stock TRD TRD bilsteins.

 

I wouldn't say night and day, the difference is very subtle but is a touch softer feeling. I think if I just swapped out the pair, it would've been harder to tell but since I did one side only, I try both sides out on bumps and thats when I was able to tell that the 5160 was a bit softer. Not sure why, people they say they have the same valving but their characteristics felt different to me.

 

6112 top setting +5160 ! I Have #2 CoachBuilder shackles on standby in garage Also like @tbrown says, I have no RAGRETS as well!

 

@OR18TRD killing potholes

 

Stop, I’m gonna piss myself LMMFAO

 

Highly recommend the Jimmy Carr stand up on Netflix. He does a great bit on how pandas do the dirty.

Every time I see pandas I think of
it.