Bilstein 5100 only advantage over 6112 is price ?

[9663mu]

besides the price , does the 5100 do anything better then the 6112 ? Because obviously the 6112 is superior off road vs 5100
Does 5100 have any on-road advantages ?
thanks

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[9663mu]

Cmon fellas. Anyone with any input on road manners between the 2?

 

[thechester]

I don't have any first hand knowledge but I think you've got a valid question. I did find someone looking for similar answers on a Tundra forum.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/ride-quality-q-6112-vs-5100.42149/

 

[9663mu]

I don't have any first hand knowledge but I think you've got a valid question. I did find someone looking for similar answers on a Tundra forum.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/ride-quality-q-6112-vs-5100.42149/

Thank you

 

[Chili]

Are you planning on leveling? If you're not, the 4600s will ride the best on road.

5100s are for heavy wheels and tires and/or a level or small lift.

 

[Calson]

If you plan on going off the roads and across rocky terrain then the 6112 may be worth the added expense. I would expect a harsher ride with the 6112 shocks.

Another shock that I have used is the Rancho XL which are adjustble (better design than the 6112). I can adjust the front shocks to avoid porpoising and have a still higher load setting for the rear shocks when I have a heavy slide-in camper in the bed and then adust the settings in seconds with the turn of a dial. Very easy to fine tune the Rancho shocks with the four wheels on the ground.

 

[OnceAnEagle]

5100 rides very nice on street and highway roads, much better than stock. Handles my county dirt washboards and potholes just fine.

 

[hotrodmex]

I would expect a harsher ride with the 6112 shocks.

After running the 6112 for a bit, I would definitely not call them "harsh," but they are firmer over small bumps than stock. This is expected given they are monotube IFP shocks with such a large bore. I think this reputation comes more from the stiffer springs they come with than anything. Plus, initial seal stiction as a byproduct of the gas pressure will cause some pre-load for small bumps until it wears in a bit. That leads to people thinking it rides harsh/sharp on initial use.

So far the damping seems to be well suited to road driving. On entry to my neighborhood there are two large dips across a small frontage road that will make the dampers work to control body motions. On the stock dampers they took 2 cycles or so to damp the motion; it was a wallow for sure. With the 6112 it goes through the bump absorption and comes to rest right away.

I think the 6112 would be a bit of a waste of money if you're not going to do much off-roading. They shine in having to damp a lot of motion.

 

[Supercub]

I think the 5100 was spot on for the ecoboost. On the other hand I don’t know it would be enough for the powerboost from having done both now.

 

[9663mu]

This weekend I help a buddy install 6112 on his 2021 3.5 ECO. Rear we did 5160. I was blown away how awesome the ride was. Now granted he’s on stock 20s and will go to a 34” tire soon but it rode really nice. Yes the mushy feeling gone and just a tad little firmer but again I was very impressed. We hit a dirt back road , nothing crazy but i was again impressed. I had 5100s all the way around on my 18 F150 and loved those. I always thought of 6112 as more off road based. And yes while that is true , I came away convinced the 6112 on road ride is also better then the 5100. Maybe it’s the different springs helping ? Anyway if your on fence , don’t be.

 

[OnceAnEagle]

The 5100s all around put on last month ride great on highways, streets, county washboard dirt, railroad tracks, grass parking lots, speed bumps, potholes, gravel, construction zones on the shoulder over wake up grooves, and everything else I've encountered. $1300 installed and worth every penny.

 

[thechester]

I just want to make my truck handle like this except I'll be travelling over pebbles and freeway expansion joints.

 

[780]

I just want to make my truck handle like this except I'll be travelling over pebbles and freeway expansion joints.

So more like this?

lol

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Are you planning on leveling? If you're not, the 4600s will ride the best on road.

5100s are for heavy wheels and tires and/or a level or small lift.

About a year back I contacted Bilstein about the differences in the 4600 and 5100 series shocks. They stated the valving is identical and would provide the same ride quality. The 5100's have a longer piston than the 4600's to accommodate minor suspension lifts.

 

[Chili]

About a year back I contacted Bilstein about the differences in the 4600 and 5100 series shocks. They stated the valving is identical and would provide the same ride quality. The 5100's have a longer piston than the 4600's to accommodate minor suspension lifts.

The piston is the same size in both. The 5100's are firmer to better deal with heavier wheels and tires, whoever you talked to didn't want to spend the time to look into the details. The differences aren't huge but the 4600 is oem replacment, the 5100 is for slightly oversized tires and a small lift.

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