Bilstein finally steps to the plate…

[bremaj]

These things are beefy! Will install in a couple weeks!

 

[DubDub]

View attachment 70517

These things are beefy! Will install in a couple weeks!

What does the coating look like? I know Bilsteins are prone to case corrosion due to be a zinc alloy, but read somewhere they may have begun applying a thin conformal coating… do you plan to put a layer of something on them?

 

[D-mac]

What does the coating look like? I know Bilsteins are prone to case corrosion due to be a zinc alloy, but read somewhere they may have begun applying a thin conformal coating… do you plan to put a layer of something on them?

Not sure where you're getting info from, but Bilstein would not be an OEM Toyota supplier if they did not know how to build corrosion resistant parts.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Not sure where you're getting info from, but Bilstein would not be an OEM Toyota supplier if they did not know how to build corrosion resistant parts.

I think I recall Dub has pretty extensive experience with Bilsteins, but will let him speak to that. A cursory web search shows me that Bilstein corrosion is widely documented over a long time. I don’t agree that them being a Toyota supplier suggests they don’t have corrosion issues - especially since Toyota trucks (Land Cruisers specifically) are a bit known for rusting.

 

[DubDub]

Not sure where you're getting info from, but Bilstein would not be an OEM Toyota supplier if they did not know how to build corrosion resistant parts.

It’s not that they rust out, it’s that they appear to rust out. Being a zinc alloy, they develop a layer of surface rust and just get ugly after a bit. It does not impact operability, but who wants an eyesore for a suspension?

It’s actually a well known and addressed issue, hence my curiosity about whether or not the rumors are true that Bilstein has started applying a conformal coating. I can’t find the source that reported that rumor and a cursory search appears to indicate that it remains an issue.

It’s also worth noting that most OE Bilstein shocks (TRD OR for example) are painted. The aftermarket offerings are not.

***Not my photo, I logged into my Tacoworld account and pulled a quick example from a reporting member there

 

[DubDub]

I think I recall Dub has pretty extensive experience with Bilsteins, but will let him speak to that. A cursory web search shows me that Bilstein corrosion is widely documented over a long time. I don’t agree that them being a Toyota supplier suggests they don’t have corrosion issues - especially since Toyota trucks (Land Cruisers specifically) are a bit known for rusting.

Indeed, I was the lucky recipient of an entire frame replacement on my 2008 Tacoma. Toyota is not synonymous with anti-corrosion in manufacturing or component sourcing haha

 

[RideWithYanu]

Indeed, I was the lucky recipient of an entire frame replacement on my 2008 Tacoma. Toyota is not synonymous with anti-corrosion in manufacturing or component sourcing haha

IH8Mud should be called IH8Rust!

 

[bremaj]

What does the coating look like? I know Bilsteins are prone to case corrosion due to be a zinc alloy, but read somewhere they may have begun applying a thin conformal coating… do you plan to put a layer of something on them?

Doesn’t look like there much of a coating, going to use boeshield t9, I’ll do a couple coats before install and just spray a good coat every fall before winter hits!!

With this said I had 5100 on my 4runner. Just washed regularly and had no issues.

 

[purado250]

Do the bilstein not come with front top hats? Do you replace it with existing factory top hat? Also, anyone know what the load rate for the fronts are?

 

[sweet5ltr]

Do the bilstein not come with front top hats? Do you replace it with existing factory top hat? Also, anyone know what the load rate for the fronts are?

You reuse the OEM top hat assembly

 

[purado250]

For anyone planning on doing 2.3 or 2.7 lift up front, what UCA yall planning on using? Seems like Bilstein does not provide any.

 

[RideWithYanu]

For anyone planning on doing 2.3 or 2.7 lift up front, what UCA yall planning on using? Seems like Bilstein does not provide any.

I’m using Dobinsons billet UCAs: UCA PAIR BILLET ALUMINUM SERIES FOR TOYOTA 4TH GEN TACOMA, 6TH GEN 4RUNNER, LAND CRUISER 250 & 300 SERIES (WITH BALLJOINTS PRESSED) – UCA59-212K – Dobinsons Spring & Suspension USA

 

[theliman]

i am having trouble finding the actual lift levels you would get up front for the 5100's with stock springs. does anyone know? is it 2.75 in 4 increments? (0, .9, 1.8, 2.75) Did I make up that there are four levels? (i think that's how it was for my 4th gen 4runner)

would love to land at 1.5-1.75

 

[DubDub]

i am having trouble finding the actual lift levels you would get up front for the 5100's with stock springs. does anyone know? is it 2.75 in 4 increments? (0, .9, 1.8, 2.75) Did I make up that there are four levels? (i think that's how it was for my 4th gen 4runner)

would love to land at 1.5-1.75

In the install instructions on the Bilstein Website: bilstein.apacatalog.com/Media/E-WM05-0000165-3-AA.pdf

Having a hard time uploading the screenshot I just took. Going to reload and see if I can edit this post after. For now:
Circlip 6: 2.75"
Circlip 5: 2.2"
Circlip 4: 1.65"
Circlip 3: 1.1"
Circlip 2: .55"
Circlip 1: Stock

 

[theliman]

In the install instructions on the Bilstein Website: bilstein.apacatalog.com/Media/E-WM05-0000165-3-AA.pdf

Having a hard time uploading the screenshot I just took. Going to reload and see if I can edit this post after. For now:
Circlip 6: 2.75"
Circlip 5: 2.2"
Circlip 4: 1.65"
Circlip 3: 1.1"
Circlip 2: .55"
Circlip 1: Stock

thanks so much!

 

[ultane]

Do the bilstein not come with front top hats? Do you replace it with existing factory top hat? Also, anyone know what the load rate for the fronts are?

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[ultane]

i am having trouble finding the actual lift levels you would get up front for the 5100's with stock springs. does anyone know? is it 2.75 in 4 increments? (0, .9, 1.8, 2.75) Did I make up that there are four levels? (i think that's how it was for my 4th gen 4runner)

would love to land at 1.5-1.75

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[ultane]

At 41,000 miles on the odometer, Miss Daisy is just not feeling as planted as she did when she was new. They seam to have lost some dampening to small road imperfections. I am hoping that many report back favorably about these shocks. I just want ‘smooth’.

 

[bremaj]

Got the Bilstein 6112 installed last week! Just swapped the front shocks and included coilovers. My goal was to level the LC out and at 1.1” it did just that. It’s noticeable to me and I love it. Ride also feels more stable, no more nose dive when breaking or rolling on tight corners.

If I had 34” or bigger tires I probably would have went a different route but very happy with the way it looks and rides with my 33” tires.

 

[DubDub]

Got the Bilstein 6112 installed last week! Just swapped the front shocks and included coilovers. My goal was to level the LC out and at 1.1” it did just that. It’s noticeable to me and I love it. Ride also feels more stable, no more nose dive when breaking or rolling on tight corners.

If I had 34” or bigger tires I probably would have went a different route but very happy with the way it looks and rides with my 33” tires.

Did you coat your shock body at all? I can say from experience, you won’t be underwhelmed by their performance. I like the 6 series even more than the 8 because I’ve always felt the reservoirs on the 8s are almost too absorptive. Looking good!