95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Bilstein or Old Man Emu?

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Old Oct 14, 2003 | 04:21 PM
  #1  
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From: bellflower
Bilstein or Old Man Emu?

Im thinking of getting new shocks for my truck. Im looking into either Bilsteins or OME. I know both are great shocks!

im looking at the Bilstein 5100s for about $75/each


or the OME Nitrocharger for about $70/ea i think it was...



i know bils are known for their performance shocks and their great quality... but OME... its OME!!!!

i do off road... i do some "rock crawling" with the limited articulation that i have but i do more of the rocky dirt/fire roads.

what do u guys think?
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 06:32 AM
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From: Albuquerque, NM
At those prices my vote is for the Bilstein 5100s.

Bilsteins have a lifetime warranty, OME only 2 yrs.

Also Downey designs most of their suspension components around Bilstein shocks so this would compliment your rear suspension very nicely.

Where did you get the $75 price for the Bilsteins?????
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 08:26 AM
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From: bellflower
at All Pro Off-Road

5100 - $75
5150 - $89
7100 - $179


I hope those prices are current! I guess I should call and ask
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 09:35 AM
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From: Littleton, CO
what do the 5100's offer over the standard bils that I have now?

I know I could go read up on them... but that would be too easy
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 10:29 AM
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From: bellflower
whats the standard bils? model number?

the 5100s are available from 6.5" - 14" of travel.
The 5100 Series offers traditional Bilstein technology with applications for lifted trucks, Jeeps and prerunners. our 5100 Series shock absorbers are designed for specific manufactured lift kits utilizing the stock O.E.M. mounting configuration. 5100 Series shocks feature Bilstein's superior single tube high gas pressure design for the upmost in consistent fade-free performance and long life. Bilatein's patented Diressive self-adjusting valving delivers improved damping control and a smooth ride on all road surfaces at any speed.

- Self-Adjusting Deflecting Disc Valving
- High-Flow Piston Reduces Harshness
- Independent Rebound & Compression Tuning
- Larger Working Piston Area for Exact Damping
- Superior Control for Large Diameter Tires
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 10:32 AM
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From: Fargo, ND
Originally posted by 89-4run
what do the 5100's offer over the standard bils that I have now?

I know I could go read up on them... but that would be too easy
5100's are for lifted applications.
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 02:35 PM
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From: Palo Alto CA
I have used Bilteins and OME....Both with OME springs...And with the OME springs the OME shocks Feel GREAT! the bils were a lot stiffer though.

I like both, but personally I feel more control over stutter washboard stuff with my OME setup.



Joe
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 03:39 PM
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I would have to vote for the OMEs also. I don't have em yet but I will be soon.
I rode in vehicles with both and I agree the Bils are way too harsh.
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Old Oct 15, 2003 | 10:49 PM
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From: bellflower
yeh ive heard the bils are a bit stiff.
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Old Oct 16, 2003 | 08:53 AM
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From: Hampton Roads, VA
I gotta agree with the last couple of posts, Bils are stiffer than OME.
I have an OME setup and have also ridden in 4Runners with Bils and can tell you firsthand the Bils are a harsher ride, but to each their own.
I run alot of firetrails , etc, and the OMES's are perfect. My only other piece of advice is get both the OME springs and shocks, they were made to compliment each other and wont get the full benefit with just the shocks.
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Old Oct 16, 2003 | 09:01 AM
  #11  
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From: bellflower
ooh id love to get the ome rear springs too! how much are they? approx? expensive no?
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Old Oct 16, 2003 | 09:04 AM
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Well, I had the HDbills and HD OME springs on my truck and yes, it was a bit harsh. BUT my LIFTED truck handled better than most cars with very little body roll. Now, why the big bruhaha? Which shocks are you going to want when your avoiding an accident? I miss my dual HD setup every day. I have the adjustable downeys in front now and it bounces way to much for me, but it is nicer on the harsh bumps. (I think i'm going to put new shocks on with tundra valving and hopefully it will be a bit stiffer than now)

Why would you want to trade your Downey springs for OME? Mike sells OMEs for about $65 a piece. check his site. extremeoff-road.com He has price matching if you can find them cheaper

Last edited by turboale; Oct 16, 2003 at 09:08 AM.
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Old May 9, 2013 | 09:55 AM
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From: Long Beach
question:
im gunna run a 13" total length spring/riser addition in rear
& im gunna crank the torsion bars in the front

i am aiming for 1.5-2" inches above stock height..

i recently bought 4600 bilstein all around to install and now im wondering if i will have enough travel in the shock to accommodate the 1.5" - 2" of lift i want.

the 5100 bilsteins call for 3-4+ inches.

am I safe with the 4600 bilsteins at 2" of lift?

Last edited by -City Slicker; May 9, 2013 at 12:11 PM.
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Old Jun 24, 2013 | 09:22 AM
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From: Fletcher Hills, CA
I run the Tundra Billies (5100) up front with the YY/YB Tundra coils, with Dodge 2500 shocks and OME 890s in back.

The 5100s work very well with my front end being a little heavy (Addicted bumper, etc) and have the adjustability to fiddle with height if need be. I bounce the truck in the air and through the rocks at speed, and the Bilsteins might be a tad stiff, but they've never flinched under serious strain. I'd buy them again, if I ever wear these out.

I ran Bilstein yellows in back (FJ80 units to match OME lift) until I nuked one on the trail (it had 60K on it, and I was putting the hurt to it, so it wasn't the shock's fault). At that point we swapped in the Dodge 2500 shocks that a buddy had laying around from his tow rig ("Hey, let's try 'em - they're the same size!"), and once they were in place, they worked flawlessly too (if you feel like trying something new).

STICK
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