Bilstein 4600's vs 5100's

I have a 2004 Tacoma Xtra Cab that has treated me well over the years. Highway roll and pitch is getting a bit soft so thought I'd upgrade the shocks. I ordered front/rear 5100's that arrived last week. Further research makes me think I might have jumped the gun. 99.5% of this trucks use is highway and around town - 4wd off road is limited to trips out to Utah every other year (I used to do much more 4wd when we lived in Utah full time but now it's basically an around town truck). I'm thinking that I actually should have gotten the 4600's.

Problem now is returning these will end up costing me ~$160 (shipping and restocking). My question is - should I just keep these and put them on. I'm concerned about a rougher ride with 5100's for a mostly around town truck. Would it be noticible? Thanks for any insights you all might have.

 

I have 5100s on my truck and feel they do just fine for on-road use. Have never had 4600s to compare. Mine are paired with Toytec 3" Lift Coils up front (5100s) on the bottom clip. The truck rides like a truck but I wouldn't call it jarring or unbearable, just not luxury car-like either

I'd say just go with the 5100s vs. losing $160

 

Setting the 5100 at the lowest setting will be equivalent to the 4600s.

The 5100 are basically 4600s with the ability to lift the truck. The lift is achieved by “lifting” the spring perch.

Anyways, short answer.
Just throw the 5100s on at stock or the .85” setting and call it done. You’ll never know the difference.

 

I added 4600s in a similar situation to yours and have never regretted it. I think TnShooter's right, though: there shouldn't be much difference between the two if you put the 5100s down low. Regardless, any upgrade from a tired suspension is going to feel better!

 

Thanks for your replies. It's good to hear from people with much more experience on this. I'll probably just go ahead and install the 5100's with no adjustment. My original quandary came from stuff I saw online which seemed to say that the 5100's were "stiffer". Here's a clip from one website:

 

The difference is negligible and I doubt you would notice the difference if able to drive two trucks back to back, one with 4600's, the other with 5100's.

I know of one vehicle application (not Toyota) where Bilstein support actually said the 4600 and 5100 were the same except for length and finish. Because of that I asked about any differences specifically for the 1st gen Tacoma shocks. Here is part of the reply I received, "Our 4600 series have slightly higher rebound and slightly lower compression valving"

 

I bet you can get away with the 5100s no problem.

 

I had 5100s on my truck and it was 95% a daily and felt just fine. Dont over think it just slap them on and youll be happy