TrailRunnerGuy: I just put on my WAM winch bumper and an OFFROAD 13K Winch. I bet it squatted about 3/4" on the front end. I have oem springs and 5100 Bilstein's on the 3rd setting. Not the highest lift but next to it. So I get to adjust my spring position to the highest position to gain back the way it was sitting. Thanks for sharing your bumper instaall it helped alot. I cut off about 2" below the top of the bottom section of bumper to create a nice hole for the winch access. The opening is about 1/2" below the bottom of the winch. That is as close as I could guess on location. But it turned out well. Thanks again.
Right on - glad it worked out! I’m sure your bumper trimming was 10x better than my hack job too! Careful adjusting it to the highest setting though. Your up-travel will be next to nothing and likely harsh (at least mine was). I moved it back to the middle setting.
The 5100s are a great shock if set up right. Don't preload them all the way, ie don't adjust them to the highest lift setting that limits the shock travel and flex and makes them ride worse. Leave them on the lowest lift setting so they keep their shock travel and add a lift spacer on top of your coilovers to add vehicle lift and you will keep all the travel the 5100s have and keep good flex and ride.
Couldn’t agree more. Through trial and error I still landed on the middle setting to keep my ride height where I wanted it. And the fact that I rarely get off the pavement for any serious terrain. Need to change that!
Hi! Thanks for the video! I have an 06 RWD XTerra, no lift, stock suspension. I am considering replacing the stock shocks with 4600 Bilsteins. Should I expect these to be more “mushy” by design to allow for more articulation as compared to my stock, perhaps more rigor shocks? I just don’t want my on-road handling to suffer. Your thoughts and advice are appreciated. Thank you!
Not sure what stock front shock (in the coilover) your X has now but from my prior research (and opinions are very mixed) I remember reading front 4600 vs 5100 at stock height the 5100 ride was said to be a tad stiffer (valved for offroad/lifted Xterras). The 4600 was noted to be very close to stock/OEM for non-lifted Xterras for ride quality. The condition of your front springs can also affect ride quality (old mushy ones vs newer or less-used stiffer ones). My 5100 fronts were picked up 2nd hand (no idea how old they are or how many miles but mine ride pretty soft (but comfy on the road) and I run about a 1 or 1.5" lift now. Lots of discussion on thenewx.org too with different perspectives. Hope that helps point you in the right direction.
@@TrailRunnerGuy thank you very much for your response! I have looked on the newX website, and their opinions seem to be controversial at times. I agree with your suggestion, the consensus is that 4600 series are very close to the stock, non-lifted shock on base model Xs. I have an opportunity to pick up a set of new 4600s for cheap and will give that a try. If all goes well, they will be a video on my channel soon. Thanks again!
I just did the same thing....bought the Bilsteins used and they have a Rough Country 1 1/2" spacer on top of them that I'm going to remove, but then the washer will be missing. Where did you find the washers if you don't mind me asking??
Bummer. I ended up digging my old ones out of the trash and grabbing the washers from those. I’m not sure of the sizing, but I did see some shock washers/kits on Amazon. Might be worth a look. Good luck!
Indeed - Thanks for pointing this out! I have a follow-up video coming soon where I don't pop that Upper Control Arm (assembly is a tad shorter and I did squeeze it in/out). As soon as my new even smaller spacer arrives (to replace another smaller spacer...) I'll be documenting/publishing soon.
“Maybe.” If you lift it a lot it’s a tighter squeeze going in/out. I’ve heard some who swapped stock height units ~might~ be able to do it w/o undoing the sway bar mounts - but that’s only an extra 5 minutes of effort. I unhooked mine each time just because it’s easier being the unit it slightly longer/taller.
For 0-2” lifts yes. I’d verify wherever you’re shopping however, everything I’ve seen says they are also compatible on Frontiers up to 2019. Check All Dogs Offroad, for example.
Very good question. I researched a bunch at the time and found most people never torqued them - just "nice and tight" on that center nut. Though I also found this in a couple places: Coilover top plate. 22ft-lb each stud 30ft-lb center nut I likely went over 30 ft-lbs and made it nice and tight. If anyone finds anything different please share.
Not sure I'm following you here. In order to get the springs back on you have to compress them or the post won't reach the top nut. (And these are stock springs.)
@@TrailRunnerGuy I meant putting lift springs on a lift strut and setting the lift strut to anything more than 0 lift. I watched more, looks like stock springs so your good. Usually people just leave these set to 0 and put lift springs in them.
@@bertrenolds5 Cool, yeah, I admittedly made a bad decision the first time around putting them on the highest setting. :D It rides perfect now after lowering back down to the 2nd from lowest.
Kinda with you on the 5100s. They work, and I do like the adjustability, but even the minimal offroading I do doesn’t allow much flex. I would prob not purchase them, or even install them again if given to me.
@@TrailRunnerGuy I’ve got a pro4x and they were my only option for leveling.and to get leveled raised all the way up and of course I bought 2G in oversized tires and so stiff it’s like riding on a horse and wagon!you feel every bump like hitting a wall!!oh by the way no such thing as life time warranty!!I’ve called every strut shock manufacturer and only but one says they have a strut that will fit..I’ve ordered I guess I will see…
@@fergieferguson2457 Yeah, my "ride" was awful on the road (speedbumps = teeth rattling), when at the highest setting. It's better now but not great. Best of luck on the new ones!
TrailRunnerGuy: I just put on my WAM winch bumper and an OFFROAD 13K Winch. I bet it squatted about 3/4" on the front end. I have oem springs and 5100 Bilstein's on the 3rd setting. Not the highest lift but next to it. So I get to adjust my spring position to the highest position to gain back the way it was sitting. Thanks for sharing your bumper instaall it helped alot. I cut off about 2" below the top of the bottom section of bumper to create a nice hole for the winch access. The opening is about 1/2" below the bottom of the winch. That is as close as I could guess on location. But it turned out well. Thanks again.
Right on - glad it worked out! I’m sure your bumper trimming was 10x better than my hack job too!
Careful adjusting it to the highest setting though. Your up-travel will be next to nothing and likely harsh (at least mine was). I moved it back to the middle setting.
The 5100s are a great shock if set up right. Don't preload them all the way, ie don't adjust them to the highest lift setting that limits the shock travel and flex and makes them ride worse. Leave them on the lowest lift setting so they keep their shock travel and add a lift spacer on top of your coilovers to add vehicle lift and you will keep all the travel the 5100s have and keep good flex and ride.
Couldn’t agree more. Through trial and error I still landed on the middle setting to keep my ride height where I wanted it. And the fact that I rarely get off the pavement for any serious terrain. Need to change that!
Did you really have to remove the spindle from the UCA to replace the shock/coil assembly? On my 2023 Frontier it is not necessary.
I’ve heard for many it’s not required. It was a very tight fit on mine so just went that route.
Hi! Thanks for the video! I have an 06 RWD XTerra, no lift, stock suspension. I am considering replacing the stock shocks with 4600 Bilsteins. Should I expect these to be more “mushy” by design to allow for more articulation as compared to my stock, perhaps more rigor shocks? I just don’t want my on-road handling to suffer. Your thoughts and advice are appreciated. Thank you!
Not sure what stock front shock (in the coilover) your X has now but from my prior research (and opinions are very mixed) I remember reading front 4600 vs 5100 at stock height the 5100 ride was said to be a tad stiffer (valved for offroad/lifted Xterras). The 4600 was noted to be very close to stock/OEM for non-lifted Xterras for ride quality. The condition of your front springs can also affect ride quality (old mushy ones vs newer or less-used stiffer ones).
My 5100 fronts were picked up 2nd hand (no idea how old they are or how many miles but mine ride pretty soft (but comfy on the road) and I run about a 1 or 1.5" lift now. Lots of discussion on thenewx.org too with different perspectives. Hope that helps point you in the right direction.
@@TrailRunnerGuy thank you very much for your response! I have looked on the newX website, and their opinions seem to be controversial at times. I agree with your suggestion, the consensus is that 4600 series are very close to the stock, non-lifted shock on base model Xs. I have an opportunity to pick up a set of new 4600s for cheap and will give that a try. If all goes well, they will be a video on my channel soon.
Thanks again!
I just did the same thing....bought the Bilsteins used and they have a Rough Country 1 1/2" spacer on top of them that I'm going to remove, but then the washer will be missing. Where did you find the washers if you don't mind me asking??
Bummer. I ended up digging my old ones out of the trash and grabbing the washers from those. I’m not sure of the sizing, but I did see some shock washers/kits on Amazon. Might be worth a look. Good luck!
You can actually just unbolt the shock bolt and maneuver the shock around it will slip out
Indeed - Thanks for pointing this out!
I have a follow-up video coming soon where I don't pop that Upper Control Arm (assembly is a tad shorter and I did squeeze it in/out). As soon as my new even smaller spacer arrives (to replace another smaller spacer...) I'll be documenting/publishing soon.
Are they harder to install since they have a lift “longer??” When it comes down to lining up the bolts or are they the same length as the stock ones?
“Maybe.” If you lift it a lot it’s a tighter squeeze going in/out. I’ve heard some who swapped stock height units ~might~ be able to do it w/o undoing the sway bar mounts - but that’s only an extra 5 minutes of effort. I unhooked mine each time just because it’s easier being the unit it slightly longer/taller.
@@TrailRunnerGuy so unbolting the sway bar gives you more slack?
Correct. Doing that allows the rotor/caliper to droop further and with it out of the way gives a lot more room to take the coilover in/out.
@@TrailRunnerGuy thanks
Does it fit to lift frontiers pro 4x models 2018 models?
For 0-2” lifts yes. I’d verify wherever you’re shopping however, everything I’ve seen says they are also compatible on Frontiers up to 2019. Check All Dogs Offroad, for example.
Hi there, what is the torque for nut on the center when putting on new springs with the shock?
Very good question. I researched a bunch at the time and found most people never torqued them - just "nice and tight" on that center nut. Though I also found this in a couple places:
Coilover top plate.
22ft-lb each stud
30ft-lb center nut
I likely went over 30 ft-lbs and made it nice and tight. If anyone finds anything different please share.
you really shouldn't be preloading lift springs on bilstein lift struts.
Not sure I'm following you here. In order to get the springs back on you have to compress them or the post won't reach the top nut. (And these are stock springs.)
@@TrailRunnerGuy I meant putting lift springs on a lift strut and setting the lift strut to anything more than 0 lift. I watched more, looks like stock springs so your good. Usually people just leave these set to 0 and put lift springs in them.
@@bertrenolds5 Cool, yeah, I admittedly made a bad decision the first time around putting them on the highest setting. :D It rides perfect now after lowering back down to the 2nd from lowest.
Well I got some 5100’s I’m about to take off if you want the crappy bilstein 5100’s..been on about 40K mikes and i would never buy again..
Kinda with you on the 5100s. They work, and I do like the adjustability, but even the minimal offroading I do doesn’t allow much flex. I would prob not purchase them, or even install them again if given to me.
@@TrailRunnerGuy I’ve got a pro4x and they were my only option for leveling.and to get leveled raised all the way up and of course I bought 2G in oversized tires and so stiff it’s like riding on a horse and wagon!you feel every bump like hitting a wall!!oh by the way no such thing as life time warranty!!I’ve called every strut shock manufacturer and only but one says they have a strut that will fit..I’ve ordered I guess I will see…
@@fergieferguson2457 Yeah, my "ride" was awful on the road (speedbumps = teeth rattling), when at the highest setting. It's better now but not great. Best of luck on the new ones!