Bilstein Shocks for a 3rd Gen Surf

[lclascaris]

I have a 1996 3rd Gen Surf. I would like to replace my front & rear shocks & springs & keep the standard height. My first thought was just to buy Genuine Toyota shocks & springs, but I can get Bilstein Shocks through my work for a very good price.

Does anyone have Bilstein shocks fitted to there 3rd Gen & what do you think of them?

Is the ride firmer than stock? as I can already feel all the bumps & tram lines in the road through the steering wheel now.

If I fit the Bilstein shocks, do you think that I should just use stock springs or is there an aftermarket spring that is recommended that does not lift the suspension?

If you have Bilsteins fitted, do you know what part number that you used so I can confirm the part number that I have come up with.

Many Thanks

Regards

Lewis

[se7en]

Spring's and shocks

Hi Lewis
I have had Bilstein shocks fitted to quite a few vehicles in the past and I have always found them to have good ride quality. They supply the performance shocks for the high performance BMW's and Porsches as an OE fitment.

I tried to get some front springs for my Gen 3 surf a month ago and I tried for hours and hours but I could'nt find any anywhere, the only response I got was from Toyota they said they could order them for me but I assumed they woould be a hideous price.

You can get standard rear springs from Roughtrax I think, and also 20% stiffer at standard height.

Unless the springs are badly sagged or broken I would advise you to fit a set of Bilsteins all round first and go for new springs if not satisfied.
Also get your front supension and ball joints checked and camber and tracking checked and adjusted as it should'nt tramline much, my own Surf is very well behaved in that department now I have reset all my geometry.

Cheer John

[lclascaris]

Hi Lewis
I have had Bilstein shocks fitted to quite a few vehicles in the past and I have always found them to have good ride quality. They supply the performance shocks for the high performance BMW's and Porsches as an OE fitment.

I tried to get some front springs for my Gen 3 surf a month ago and I tried for hours and hours but I could'nt find any anywhere, the only response I got was from Toyota they said they could order them for me but I assumed they woould be a hideous price.

You can get standard rear springs from Roughtrax I think, and also 20% stiffer at standard height.

Unless the springs are badly sagged or broken I would advise you to fit a set of Bilsteins all round first and go for new springs if not satisfied.
Also get your front supension and ball joints checked and camber and tracking checked and adjusted as it should'nt tramline much, my own Surf is very well behaved in that department now I have reset all my geometry.

Cheer John

Thanks John,

I'm planning to get my geometry checked after Christmas & i'm hoping that will stop the vehicle tramline. As it's the only thing that I dislike about the vehicle. I was thinking about all the ball joints, but it's had a full service from a specialist in 4WD's & it passed it's MOT 1st time & they didn't pick anything up.

My vehicle sits level, but it doesn't seem to take much stuff in the boot to make the rear end sag. How does your 3rd Gen fair? Is that normal? My vehicle sags at the back with 4 people in the vehicle!

Many Thanks

Lewis

[se7en]

It sounds like you probably need the 20% uprated springs as I believe the rears sag after a few years, if your Surf is down at the back slightly when empty the rear springs are probably tired and need replacing.
My Surf sits higher at the back when empty by about 50mm and doesn't sag down lower than level when towing my Race car and trailer. But I could do with a fresh set of uprated shocks though!!!!

Cheers John

[barbecue]

Re: Bilstein Shocks for a 3rd Gen Surf

Hi Lewis
I'm after some new shocks for my 3rd gen surk too. Can you give me a web link or point me in the right direction for getting a set of these please?
Cheers
James

[lclascaris]

Hi Lewis
I'm after some new shocks for my 3rd gen surk too. Can you give me a web link or point me in the right direction for getting a set of these please?
Cheers
James

Hello James,

www.bilstein.com recommend part number BE5-2450 for the front & BE5-2451 for the rears. This however is for a 3rd Gen 4Runner which will have a petrol engine, which is lighter than the diesel. They don't list a 3rd Gen Hilux Surf with a diesel engine.

I did however find http://www2.bilstein.de/en/ which does list a 3rd Gen diesel Surf & they list BE5-2778 for the fronts & BE5-2351 for the rears.

Regards

Lewis

[barbecue]

Hi Lewis,

Thanks for the info. I googled the part no's and got nothing back in this country! Makes me think that importing might push the price up?
Found on www.bilstein.com
TOYOTA LANDCRUISER PRADO FRONT
POSITION: Front
Manufacturer: BILSTEIN
New part#: F4-BE5-2778-H0
List Price: $ 143.00
and
TOYOTA HILUX/SURF REAR
POSITION: Rear
Manufacturer: BILSTEIN
New part#: F4-BE5-2351-H0
List Price: $ 154.00

Couldn't find anything on http://www2.bilstein.de/en/ ??? Am I going wrong?

I think I might go for the stock items from japanese4x4spares.co.uk
Fronts £60
Rears £70
Rear Springs £80
Do you think there'll be a noticable difference between the Bilsteins and these?

Cheers
James

[lclascaris]

Couldn't find anything on http://www2.bilstein.de/en/ ??? Am I going wrong?

Click on catalogue, then download the full PDF catalogue.....where it say's please note the size of this file.

[lclascaris]

I think I might go for the stock items from japanese4x4spares.co.uk
Fronts £60
Rears £70
Rear Springs £80
Do you think there'll be a noticable difference between the Bilsteins and these?

Bilsteins are supposed to be a superb gas shock, I don't know about the ones from japanese4x4spares.co.uk. Everyone on this forum do rave about pro-comp, but that will give you a lift. What about Rough Traxs?

Genuine Toyota rear shocks (non-adjustables) are only £31.06 + VAT each, which is pretty good. They are oil filled shocks & are made by Tokico.

[lclascaris]

Thanks for the info. I googled the part no's and got nothing back in this country! Makes me think that importing might push the price up?

EURO CAR PARTS are a supplier of Bilstein Shocks & will take about 2 weeks as they come from Germany

[barbecue]

Thanks for the advice

You know what, I'm a $$$$ reader! I've just realised you've got a mk3 KZN185 whereas I have a 2nd Gen KZN130.
That aside, I've had a look on Rough Trax and they're £10 more although they offer a choice of Gas filled and Oil filled shocks. The springs are the same.

Thanks for the euro car parts address, I've emailed them for more info on mine.

James

[lclascaris]

Well I finally got around to fitting my Bilstein Gas Shocks & new Genuine Toyota coil springs on the weekend, what a transformation.

Of course the fact that the stock shocks & springs were probably the originals so any new shock absorber & spring would feel better.

But the Bilsteins are really good, I get less body roll & the road holding is superb.

They are a bit firmer than stock, it's almost like being in my mates BMW with it's sport suspension.

It cost quite a lot but at least working in the motor trade I got a good discount. Worth every penny.

[marky]

I upgraded my rear springs when i got mine as it was bottoming out on the Rubbers. The back end is still soft though.

[Rob]

Hi Lewis. What were the part numbers for the shocks that you used in the end?

[lclascaris]

Hi Lewis. What were the part numbers for the shocks that you used in the end?

Hello Rob,

I used BE5-2351 & BE5-2778.

Regards

Lewis