Bilstein finally steps to the plate…

[shwazz714]

Looks to me like the Bilstein 6100 rear shocks can handle 0-1.75" of lift, but they do not include any lift springs. It will be the driver's choice for rear springs.

For myself, I do mild off roading and like the look of a slightly more level / lifted Lc. So I think I’d do the 6100 fronts with a mild lift (still some rake) and then use the bilstein 6100 rears with factory springs.

Hope that would achieve slightly better handling, look, and off road capabilities without sacrificing comfort / plushness too much.

 

[DubDub]

I thought that shocks only settled the movement momentum of the suspension from stuff the vehicle was rolling over, and the springs were responsible for ‘lift’ height.

Are they saying that the Bilstein shocks will be be able to alter ride height?

What D-Mac said is my impression from the advert. On my last Bilstein install I saw some minimal gain in shock alone, so just hoping it stays that or 0 here. Not too may OEM ride height options out there.

 

[DubDub]

I'm under the impression from the flyer that the rear 6100's are adjustable. A quick Google search says they are.

6100s should not be adjustable. That’s why I’m hoping they aren’t additive by any substantial amount.

 

[D-mac]

For myself, I do mild off roading and like the look of a slightly more level / lifted Lc. So I think I’d do the 6100 fronts with a mild lift (still some rake) and then use the bilstein 6100 rears with factory springs.

Interestingly, Bilstein does not seem to offer many "matching" rear spring sets, even for their higher end 8100 series external reservoir coilover shocks. Their experience probably shows customers are happy with stock rear springs, or the few that want different rear springs will get them elsewhere.

 

[Blue Bear]

I am between Bilstein and Fox based on previous experience. My biggest question, and one that will likely only be answered by seeing some real world settled numbers, is how high the 6100s push the rear. I want near-OEM ride height, max lift of 3/4-1", and the 6100s are not adjustable. I do understand that the springs are the horse back there, and that the shock shouldn't do anything too substantial. Hoping to see installs soon.

Have you watched the Shock Value series? It might make you reconsider? (Spoiler alert - Fox performed poorly and Bilstein were among the best.)

 

[DubDub]

Have you watched the Shock Value series? It might make you reconsider? (Spoiler alert - Fox performed poorly and Bilstein were among the best.)

I have seen similar. Fox is still very much on my list. I have the luxury of some time

 

[Blue Bear]

I am between Bilstein and Fox based on previous experience. My biggest question, and one that will likely only be answered by seeing some real world settled numbers, is how high the 6100s push the rear. I want near-OEM ride height, max lift of 3/4-1", and the 6100s are not adjustable. I do understand that the springs are the horse back there, and that the shock shouldn't do anything too substantial. Hoping to see installs soon.

The springs determine the ride height, not the shocks. Since the fronts are coilovers, you should be able to adjust for zero lift, if that is so desired.

 

[Blue Bear]

I thought that shocks only settled the movement momentum of the suspension from stuff the vehicle was rolling over, and the springs were responsible for ‘lift’ height.

Are they saying that the Bilstein shocks will be be able to alter ride height?

The fronts are coilovers and adjustable. According to Bilstein, the rears are also adjustable, but it doesn't indicate the method they are using to adjust the height. Maybe someone with different set of 6100s on the rear could fill us in?

 

[DubDub]

The springs determine the ride height, not the shocks. Since the fronts are coilovers, you should be able to adjust for zero lift, if that is so desired.

The fronts are coilovers and adjustable. According to Bilstein, the rears are also adjustable, but it doesn't indicate the method they are using to adjust the height. Maybe someone with different set of 6100s on the rear could fill us in?

I agree with your first statement, but have seen shocks alone produce some lift w/out spring replacement. I am fine with a marginal gain.

There is no adjustment on the rear 6100s. They are made to work with springs that lift within that range.

I was mentioning this all as an aside really, I wish-wash between OEM height and being ok with another inch. The 275s are going to net me 1/2”, and I don’t want to create a situation where I struggle to get in when my back is in flare.

 

[AlexGates]

6100s should not be adjustable. That’s why I’m hoping they aren’t additive by any substantial amount.

Shock

cart.bilsteinus.com

They are adjustable.

 

[AlexGates]

Not meaning to be argumentative as there’s no wrong answer here (everybody should tweak to their heart’s content), but for this use case I think the stock suspension is perfect.

My biggest critique with Kings is how much maintenance they require. I’m not a fan of mods that make the vehicle so fussy, even if they perform great.

I'm happy with the stock suspension as well. I would, as I said further up, like to gain an inch or 1.5. I think Toyota did a good job on the suspension. My comment was regarding King's vs Bilstein, not OEM.

ETA: I don't want bigger tires (I have 33's), I just want to sit a little taller. I feel "low", but that is likely because my other vehicle sits taller. It's not a performance issue. I have the 6112/5160 on my p/u, so I can say that I feel the LC OEM's are perfectly fine, though it is a smaller vehicle and doesn't have leaf springs either.

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[AlexGates]

I thought that shocks only settled the movement momentum of the suspension from stuff the vehicle was rolling over, and the springs were responsible for ‘lift’ height.

Are they saying that the Bilstein shocks will be be able to alter ride height?

They have snap rings, so you are lifting it using the shock. What you don't want to do, in regards to ride quality, is lock them at 0, and some even say all the way to max. Depending on make/model Bil will even recommend not setting them at certain (lower) heights, the F150 Tremor comes to mind.

I did 1" on my F150, I didn't want to level, wanted to ditch the garbage OEM suspension, but I wanted to take the god awful nose dragging low front out. Now it looks like it should have come from the factory.

The 5100's fronts don't come with springs, you can still lift/level with them, I used them on my 4G 4R.

 

[RideWithYanu]

I'm happy with the stock suspension as well. I would, as I said further up, like to gain an inch or 1.5. I think Toyota did a good job on the suspension. My comment was regarding King's vs Bilstein, not OEM.

I too am begrudgingly planning to go aftermarket suspension, with the sole purpose of gaining clearance. I’m very happy with OEM except there are several places I can’t access due to approach/departure angles.

 

[AlexGates]

I too am begrudgingly planning to go aftermarket suspension, with the sole purpose of gaining clearance. I’m very happy with OEM except there are several places I can’t access due to approach/departure angles.

Clearance requires larger (taller) tires. Since my LC is "light duty" (ie: City vehicle), I'm not interested in going that route... yet. I only have 9300mi on my non-OEM tires, not replacing those suckers yet.

I do wish I have lifted my p/u more and slapped on 35's. But, again, I replaced the crap OEM tires with 33's, 9900 miles ago. I screwed up on that one. Plus, it's expensive to reset the fronts, they pretty much have to do the work all over again. I should have put more consideration into it.

Hotshot Offroad is a really great vendor if anyone decides to get the Bil’s, great guy.

 

[DubDub]

Shock

cart.bilsteinus.com

They are adjustable.

I mean the 6100s for the LC kit. It makes no sense for them to be… but I guess I could be wrong.

The ones you linked are RHA (and for a Nissan Titan), and definitely have the circlip… but the absorbers under LC250 filtration do not.

Edit: I used “6100” to distinguish what I was talking about (B8 6100) from the 6112 in the “6112” kit

 

[RideWithYanu]

Clearance requires larger (taller) tires. Since my LC is "light duty" (ie: City vehicle), I'm not interested in going that route... yet. I only have 9300mi on my non-OEM tires, not replacing those suckers yet.

I do wish I have lifted my p/u more and slapped on 35's. But, again, I replaced the crap OEM tires with 33's, 9900 miles ago. I screwed up on that one. Plus, it's expensive to reset the fronts, they pretty much have to do the work all over again. I should have put more consideration into it.

Hotshot Offroad is a really great vendor if anyone decides to get the Bil’s, great guy.

Ground clearance requires larger tires but approach and departure clearance doesn’t.

 

[Blue Bear]

Ground clearance requires larger tires but approach and departure clearance doesn’t.

And, sometimes, larger tires require a lift to gain enough clearance in the wells to not rub. Of course, it's also possible the lift may create new issues with fitting larger tires. Maybe you don't rub the wheel well, but you may find that the tires rub something else.

In my experience off road with the OEM suspension, I've found it to be extremely capable. If we had a little more ground clearance and approach/departure/break over angle, then that would improve the LC250s off road chops. As it sits stock, I'm pretty happy with the performance and don't see a need to rush into putting the Bilsteins on the LC. I'll let someone else be the guinea pig. Looking forward to seeing who takes the first shot at putting on Bilstein's offering.

 

[AlexGates]

In my experience off road with the OEM suspension, I've found it to be extremely capable. If we had a little more ground clearance and approach/departure/break over angle, then that would improve the LC250s off road chops. As it sits stock, I'm pretty happy with the performance and don't see a need to rush into putting the Bilsteins on the LC. I'll let someone else be the guinea pig. Looking forward to seeing who takes the first shot at putting on Bilstein's offering.

They did a good job, they are nice on the road as well. In some ways, better than below.

My full size p/u felt like a 70’s land yacht that still had its original shocks. It was even bad on the interstate. Very planted not, firm, but not harsh with the 6112/5160.

 

[ultane]

What D-Mac said is my impression from the advert. On my last Bilstein install I saw some minimal gain in shock alone, so just hoping it stays that or 0 here. Not too may OEM ride height options out there.

SOMETIMES imadufus

 

[jtr3737]

That's the only combination that is available as a complete "kit" on their website.

so do the 6100 for the rear work with the stock springs?