Bilstein HD Shocks: awesome @ $260

Hey all,
Last week I put a set of Bilstein HDs on the T. After a week of driving, I have to say... It's an amazing difference. Tt's an incredible handling improvement. The truck is completely glued to the road even on the frost-heaved and potholed stuff around here. I had a terible pogo problem when the rear was unloaded, despite the shocks still being good. Among other things the HDs cured this.

I found them, including shipping here:
http://www.eshocks.com/bil_Ind.asp?VC=15Q11&SubChar=Q&Spec=

for $260 for all 4 corners. This is the link for the 4x, but they sell the 2xs at this price also.

I only made the upgrade because I've been towing a horse trailer a lot, but I can definitely say the upgrade is worth it for anyone looking to improve handling.

Cheers,
Rob

Great find! :D

I personally went with the KYB Gas A Just shocks...not too bad...better than the worn out air shocks that were on the truck when I got it. ;)

I've also got the Roadmaster Active Suspension (http://www.activesuspension.com/) on my rear leafs. I noticed the difference the moment I made turns. What used to be a lean in the truck is now gone. I would have to say this is my single most important upgrade/addition. :D

Great find! :D

I personally went with the KYB Gas A Just shocks...not too bad...better than the worn out air shocks that were on the truck when I got it. ;)


The KYB is a good shock. I put those on my coiled jeep and they were definitely an improvement there.


I've also got the Roadmaster Active Suspension (http://www.activesuspension.com/) on my rear leafs. I noticed the difference the moment I made turns. What used to be a lean in the truck is now gone. I would have to say this is my single most important upgrade/addition. :D

How hard was the active suspension to install? I was thinking of going the add-a-leaf route but this is the second time someone's mentioned an alternative. I'm surprised this technology helped your body roll- I was thinking a sway bar would be my only way out of that.

I currently pull the horse trailer with one horse with no aids (about 3700 lbs). When pulling two horses (about 4700 lbs) I put the spring bars on... but the T manual very explicitly says, "do not use load levelers..." The horses put their weight forward of the axles so the second horse makes quite a difference.

For such a small trailer that never sways the load levelers are a pain in the ass, so I'm definitely looking for a truck-side solution. If I could reduce body roll and increase payload I'd be pretty happy.

If you have a floor jack and jack stands...you can do it quite easily. I did mine in about 2 hrs or so in the driveway...by myself.

I compared my 2WD truck to a 4WD truck which had the AAL on it. It was harder to bounce my truck than the 4WD by jumping in the bed.

I used to slide a bit in the seat when making turns...now my butt stays put and I don't have to lean in the cab! :D

When I used to load the truck up...it sagged big time. Now with 700lbs of gear or so...it's almost level when driving down the road. When the time comes to move on from this T-100 and to another...I'm taking my Roadmaster off of this one and putting it on the next one. ;)

Bam, one more question on those. The roadmaster fitment chart specs the MK II - XF , and doesn't list the MK II XXF as an option. However, it looks like the only difference is a heaver duty spring. Any thoughts on fitment? any recollection of what you put on?

I found the XXFs for $150 shipped but I can't find the XFs anywheres near that.

I got the 4WD version fer $75 shipped and I slapped them on my 2WD...no problems at all. :D

You can also order those direct from Roadmaster...just give them a call and wheel and deal. ;)

where'd you find 'em for that? they seem to be 250-280 most places (or was that the wink...)

I found them on eBay fer someone who was blowing them out...sometimes you can find good deals if yer looking. :D

I had called Roadmaster and they said they would send what ever parts I needed/swapped out to make it work. Not a bad deal but I didn't need anything from them. :D

My $260 set of bilsteins arrived Fri. Afternoon and I had all 4 on by 6pm. They are great. I had put a set of them on my V-8 Volvo and was sold on them after that. The diameter of the shaft on the volvo front struts was 1" plus! No lie. They look like motorcycle forks!
Thanks for the tip!

My $260 set of bilsteins arrived Fri. Afternoon and I had all 4 on by 6pm. They are great. I had put a set of them on my V-8 Volvo and was sold on them after that. The diameter of the shaft on the volvo front struts was 1" plus! No lie. They look like motorcycle forks!
Thanks for the tip!

I thought someone would appreciate it. It took me a few hours to find the best price on the right fitment. I first knew they were what I wanted about a year ago but it took until now for the factory ones to be noticeable with my driving habits.

I got the 4WD version fer $75 shipped and I slapped them on my 2WD...no problems at all. :D

You can also order those direct from Roadmaster...just give them a call and wheel and deal. ;)

After some sitting, and waiting, and hoping...

I found a used set of Roadmasters on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_rdc=1&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR4 0%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D32037458066 8%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&item=320374580668&viewitem=#ShippingPayment). $36 + shipping :D
http://i.ebayimg.com/21/!BS5cg1gBWk~$(KGrHgoH-D8EjlLlzKDlBKFgg1UG4g~~_1.JPG

When can you install these for me bam? Just kidding... I've got my jack stands ready. Too bad it's a northeast car - I'll have to wait a week before starting so the bolts can soak!

I'm hoping that with these I can stop using the load levelers (barely needed) with the trailer...

Rob

Howdy,

Am replacing the shocks, no problem in the rear with the Bilsteins, but in front, even using the F4-B46-2125-H0, it seems the fit isn't right. On the lower control arm, the bracket spacing is 38 millimeters on the inside (outside of the OEM shock is 37.9mm), and the outside of the Bilsteins is just under 40mm (39.9 mm). I checked the stamped number on the Bilstein body and it matches, and I'm certainly not ready to take off the material or hammer it down if the shocks aren't right and I can just return them.

Anyone else had a problem similar, or just solved it with a hammer and file?

Thanks,
Kevin

i just bought the Bilstein 2125 for my T100 4x4 I have yet to put them on. i got them from the dealership on clearance for 40 each! Anyway are you installing them on a 2wd or 4x4. The 2wd takes a different size.

Sorry, it's a 4wd. Also on the shock is: "Type 17 / - "

Not sure what that means and haven't looked for it yet. Let me know if your set works. It's hard to believe that both Bilsteins were made wrong, that the fit numbers are wrong, or that Toyota made mine differently (after having had worked in a Toyota factory, maybe not...) so something I'm doing must not be right.

Kevin

Heyo,

Shocks are done. I had the shocks sent back after talking to Bilstein USA, and the replacements were the same size - same problem. Since the metal sleeve was just two millimeters too wide, I spent some time with a file and a Dremel, and got it down to just under 38mm, and it fit like a charm. Again, the backs fit just fine, as long as you get the right ones - different for 2wd vs. 4wd.

I'll report back on the ride - half the engine compartment is still on my washing machine.

Kevin

After some sitting, and waiting, and hoping...

I found a http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=48307434&adtype=1&size=1x1&type=3&campid=5336116672&toolid=10001 used set of Roadmasters on eBay (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5336116672&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2Fws%2 FeBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26_rdc%3D1%26ru%3Dhttp%2 53A%252F%252Fshop.ebay.com%253A80%252F%253F_from%2 53DR40%2526_trksid%253Dp3907.m38.l1313%2526_nkw%25 3D320374580668%2526_sacat%253DSee-All-Categories%2526_fvi%253D1%26item%3D320374580668%26 viewitem%3D%23ShippingPayment). $36 + shipping :D
http://i.ebayimg.com/21/%21BS5cg1gBWk%7E$%28KGrHgoH-D8EjlLlzKDlBKFgg1UG4g%7E%7E_1.JPG

When can you install these for me bam? Just kidding... I've got my jack stands ready. Too bad it's a northeast car - I'll have to wait a week before starting so the bolts can soak!

I'm hoping that with these I can stop using the load levelers (barely needed) with the trailer...

Rob

You git these installed yet? It won't take that long as long as you pay attention to what yer doing... :D

...and I wanna see piccies and yer report! ;)