Bilstein shocks on a SOA 60 series - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

60seriesguy · 01-09-2005, 12:56 PM

I'm looking for first-hand experience with Bilstein shocks in a SOA 60 series. I've been running Rancho 9012's on mine but I'm not happy with them, even at the stiffest adjustment they feel too spongy, could also be that they're worn.

Considering Bilteins 51xx's and Doetch Tech 8000's, can anyone share their experiences with them?

Thnx!

cruiserbrett · 01-09-2005, 01:30 PM

I cant say for sure what the 5100 series bilstiens are like on a 60, but they were way too soft on my FJ40 SOA, about as soft as 3000 series DT's.

-Brett

dieselcruiserhead · 01-09-2005, 02:20 PM

I ran the DT8000s and they were good but way to soft. I went with a Pro Comp 9000 and they are quite stiff and really add a lot of stability. This is to my SOA 55 but I think the feel would be similar. I am quite happy, and best of all they are only about $30-35 each. They are high pressure nitrogen charged like the bilsteins, but are a cheaper/simpler design. I also have 6+ months on them and they have been great...

gifu · 01-09-2005, 10:30 PM

I have 5100's on my SOA FJ45LV.

With stock springs, they were too soft. I then added two extra leafs (from FJ60 springs packs) to each corner.

Now they are perfect.

I've ran Rancho's in the past, and I found that after a few months I had dead spots. They do have a lifetime warranty, if you can find a shop to help (the local 4Wheel Parts warrantied mine). I liked the adjustable factor but i think the fact that they are oil-shocks is a problem... does anyone make a gas-charged adjustable shock.

wngrog · 01-10-2005, 04:24 AM

Henry, i cannot imagine the 5125 Bilstein's with 225/70 dampening being too solft for your setup.

From all the testing I have done with mine both in the front and the rear, I liken them to R9000's if they had an adjustment for 7 or 8. Not "stiff" like Ranchos on 5 are, just a grewat controlling tire.

I have the 5150's, but if I were to do it over i would have 5125's (same but without remote res)

01-09-2005, 12:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
60seriesguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3942 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 2,288	Bilstein shocks on a SOA 60 series I'm looking for first-hand experience with Bilstein shocks in a SOA 60 series. I've been running Rancho 9012's on mine but I'm not happy with them, even at the stiffest adjustment they feel too spongy, could also be that they're worn. Considering Bilteins 51xx's and Doetch Tech 8000's, can anyone share their experiences with them? Thnx!

01-09-2005, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
cruiserbrett Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 6863 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,797	I cant say for sure what the 5100 series bilstiens are like on a 60, but they were way too soft on my FJ40 SOA, about as soft as 3000 series DT's. -Brett __________________ I have enough projects for the next decade. Need two?

01-09-2005, 10:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
gifu Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11849 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 325	I have 5100's on my SOA FJ45LV. With stock springs, they were too soft. I then added two extra leafs (from FJ60 springs packs) to each corner. Now they are perfect. I've ran Rancho's in the past, and I found that after a few months I had dead spots. They do have a lifetime warranty, if you can find a shop to help (the local 4Wheel Parts warrantied mine). I liked the adjustable factor but i think the fact that they are oil-shocks is a problem... does anyone make a gas-charged adjustable shock. __________________ Put a _frown_ on a brotha's face.

01-10-2005, 04:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
wngrog Moderating Midget Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1154 Location: Canton, MS Posts: 22,054 Blog Entries: 4	Henry, i cannot imagine the 5125 Bilstein's with 225/70 dampening being too solft for your setup. From all the testing I have done with mine both in the front and the rear, I liken them to R9000's if they had an adjustment for 7 or 8. Not "stiff" like Ranchos on 5 are, just a grewat controlling tire. I have the 5150's, but if I were to do it over i would have 5125's (same but without remote res) __________________ Nolen Grogan 1997 FZJ-80 Land Cruiser, 37's 2010 RZR-4 www.cottonlandcruisers.com www.rockmidgetphotography.com USAF Veteran 1988-1998 GOD Bless America

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01-09-2005, 02:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
dieselcruiserhead Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Member # 12758 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 4,651	I ran the DT8000s and they were good but way to soft. I went with a Pro Comp 9000 and they are quite stiff and really add a lot of stability. This is to my SOA 55 but I think the feel would be similar. I am quite happy, and best of all they are only about $30-35 each. They are high pressure nitrogen charged like the bilsteins, but are a cheaper/simpler design. I also have 6+ months on them and they have been great...