Upgrade from Bilstein 5100 to 5160, worth it?

helped a buddy install 5160 on a 4runner.
Like this but the newer version that just came out a month ago I think.
Has a locking collar and pin so the body doesn't rotate and tear the hose.

Am pretty impressed with the ride. I understand it's gonna be softer than a leaf sprung Taco because 4runner has coils in the back, but still.
Thing is able to hit a curb going like 30 and barely feel it.

Was affordable too. Like $450 for the pair (rear)
Is it worth upgrading from 5100 to 5160?
I have 5100 all 4 corners now, was only like $300-400 for the whole truck. So while 5160 costs a bit more, it's not much more.

I heard you have to choose specifically what travels you want, that they are not as universal as 5100 which everybody runs with up to 3" lift probably. Not sure how true this is.

Would it be worth doing, or it is a waste of time?
I always thought 5160 simply offers the same exact performance as a 5100, but for a longer period of time due to less overheating of the fluid.
However, supposedly it's actually more comfortable/better because the valving is located in the reservoir

an old co-worker had 5160's I think, on his 2nd gens, but I never asked how it rode or to test drive and see for myself
Then again I only have OME 887 front and AAL + spacer in back, which I'm sure is shit compared to a full Icon RXT leaf pack, so maybe shock won't make much of a difference...

FWIW, these may have came on previous 5th gen T4R TRD Pro's, if that's any credibility (current version switched to Fox 2.0)
If anything, they look much cooler with the added resi and hose
I'll have to check how they mount on the Taco. For 5th gen T4R there's nice brackets that secure into frame holes to hold the resi.

 

While I don't have more than a few minutes of street driving experience with the 5100s I have had 5160s for 5k miles now.

The 5160s have digressive valves which in my experience makes the truck a little better on the winding back roads (less body roll) and kinda stiff over the small road bumps.
My Old Man Emu shocks where definitely smoother on the street.

The 5160s get smoother when going faster off road which would makes sense with the digressive valving.

As for extra travel, my 5160 instructions said they are intended for 0-1.5" rear lift.

 

Hard to compare the 5160's in the rear when comparing them on the 4 runner vs taco. 4 runner has lots more weight in the back for the suspension to work against which will make things feel smoother.

 

They will stay cooler longer for extended off road driving.

They have more travel than a 5100.

I've heard they are valved similarly.

They sure do look sweet.

 

Following. I'm on 5100s and should of just forked out more cash for the 5160s. I only put maybe 4k on my suspension so far so i'm sure I can re-sell for quite a bit If i do decide if the upgrade is worth it.

 

I’ve heard 5100 and 5160 have the same valving just with a reservoir. Unless you do a lot of wheeling not worth it IMO. rock em and when they wear out go the next step up like fox

 

I second that driving experience. Had 5100’s for about 6 months before switching to 5160’s. The 5100’s helped reduce some body roll, but hitting certain road bumps/potholes felt jarring at times. The 5160’s made those same instances feel more plush and that the shocks were doing a better job absorbing the impacts.

Recently switched to some Kings in the rear. So now I may or may not intentionally go over every bump in the road to remind myself why I love them

 

doesn't that depend on the size though
like if it's a little King shock I find it hard to believe it's possible to extract THAT much performance out of one,
as opposed to dedicated performance trucks that, although still using King, have much bigger ones

that and leaf springs
in my case cheap crap spacer + AAL as opposed to $1k leafpack
not only is T4R springs, but Taco factory rear leaf mounting suffers from that poor ride problem that people fix by upgrading to archive hammer hangers

 

Your 5100s have a lifetime warranty.
Had mine on for 7 years no problems towing or off road but then I slow down on rough trails.
For initial upgrade I too would go with the best affordable/handling shock at the time.
But I have older heavy duty Dakars in the rear as I tow/haul stuff so my ride is stiff.
As always depends on your type of use/speed/terrain/driving style/money.

 

Is it just me or is that frame jacked up?