Which Bilstein 5100s for 4Runner?

[paddlenbike]

I have a 2000 4Runner with the original Sonoran Steel 7.1 kit, which has the Tundra TRD front coils and the green Tokico Trekmaster shocks. One shock is blown and I need replacements. I've heard good things about the Bilstein 5100 series and I see three possible options:
- Tacoma 5100s (I've heard they're too soft on a 4Runner)
- Tundra 5100s (I've heard these work better)
- Sonoran Steel's custom valved 5100s (most expensive option)

Is anyone running 5100s on a Tundra coil'd 4Runner? I still have the stock front bumper/no winch, this is my DD and most of my wheeling is a mix of fireroad/desert trips with occasional rock crawling.

What tophat changes need to be made to accomodate any of these shocks?
Thanks!
Ken

 

[shmabs]

Ken,

I currently run tundra bilstein 5100's with tundra trd coils. I'm on the 2nd notch from the bottom, for about 2.5 inches of lift height and what i would call a great ride with stock skids and bumpers. I'm running the tundra isolators and and 4runner top hats if i remember correctly. The struts bolted into the top hats with no issues.

I'm very happy with this setup, i think the struts and coils are a very well matched combo.

Mike

 

[ExploringNH]

I think the Tundra 5100s are a great match for the front end of the 3rd gen 4Runners with that setup. It will ride a lot nicer with a bumper and winch up front but it is still very comfortable with the stock gear. On road is an improved ride over stock (in my opinion) but off road it is a little stiff in the flex department. It handles bumps and fairly high speed off-road travel well but is hard to flex out in the technical sections. The SS Bilsteins worked well but I couldn't tell the difference in ride between them and the Tundra 5100s.

 

[paddlenbike]

-Tundra coil
-Tundra Bilstein shock on 2nd notch
-4Runner top hat
-Tundra isolator

Exactly the information I needed, thank you.

I was happy with the original setup until one of the Tokico shocks went south--now it bounces like a Cadillac on one side.

 

[paddlenbike]

I went ahead with Sonoran Steel's; I try and support small business when I can.