The 4th-gen 4Runner is the one people keep. The frame is solid, the V8 is close to unkillable, and twenty years later the suspension is the only thing that feels its age: a soft, floaty front end that dives under braking and a rear that keeps bouncing after the dip is gone. These trucks are now the base for a lot of overland builds, which means the extra weight of a bumper, drawers, and a rooftop tent on a suspension that was tired before any of it went on. The 8112 / 8100 set fixes all of that in one order and gives massive capability for higher speeds off-road, whether that's blasting through the desert or picking up the pace to camp.

Want the long version? Read our Bilstein 8112 / 8100 Review for the Toyota 4Runner: Still the King.

What the Letters Mean

• 8112. 2.65" body coilover with ZoneControl CR: a soft zone around ride height, firmer zones near full compression and full extension. Calmer on pavement, far less harsh bottom-out and top-out on dirt. Adjusts for ride height only.
• 8112 DSA+. The same coilover with three hand knobs: high-speed compression, low-speed compression, and the JCO (jounce cut-off, an internal hydraulic bump stop).
• 8100. 2.65" monotube rear with a remote reservoir and Bilstein's digressive valving. Not adjustable.
• 8100 DSA. The 8100 with high- and low-speed compression knobs.
• 8100 Bypass. Dual-tube external bypass with separate compression and rebound adjusters. The most control Bilstein builds for this truck.

Choose Your Set

• Run 8112 / 8100 if: it's a daily and weekend trail truck, you want the biggest jump over stock for the money, and you don't want to touch knobs.
• Run DSA+ up front if: the load changes trip to trip, or you want to soften the commute and firm up for dirt. Budget for aftermarket wheels: the DSA+ needs 4.5" of backspacing or less.
• Run the 8100 DSA rear if: you carry gear in the back often and want to firm the rear without changing springs.
• Run the 8100 Bypass rear if: you drive fast on rough roads and want rebound tuning as well as compression.

Pick Your Height: Lift Chart

On V6 4WD trucks the passenger side sits about 3/8" lower to take out the lean. Bilstein ships these preset at about 2.4" for a 4WD V6. Every other configuration needs the seat adjusted before install.

2003-2009 4Runner

How to choose: Measure the rake (wheel center to fender lip, front and rear). Remember the rears want about an inch of rear lift on 4WD trucks, so plan on a rear spring, leaf, or spacer that adds about an inch, then set the front to match. Steel bumper and winch? Go one step higher or add heavy-load springs.

Setting Your Height

Threaded spring seat, not circlips. To change the height, the coilover goes in a spring compressor and the seat turns. Do it before install. Bilstein's limits: under 19 5/8" at ride height and at least 2" of droop.

The Real Trade-Offs

• There's no stock height. Lowest is 1.3" (V8) or 2.2" (V6 4WD).
• The rears expect some rear lift. Rated range starts at 0.9" on 4WD trucks.
• DSA+ needs aftermarket wheels. 4.5" backspacing max, 285-wide tire max with that wheel.
• Check the reservoir hose at full droop. If it touches the upper control arm, Bilstein says to rotate the reservoir.
• Not the typical "firm" ride. While Bilstein is known for its digressive, firmer ride, these 8112 achieve far more comfort than expected on the daily drive through their zone control technology.

Install Notes

• Fits 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner, V6 and V8, 4WD and 2WD.
• Not for X-REAS trucks. Bilstein lists the 4Runner Limited only without X-REAS suspension.
• Requires to run aftermarket wheels with 4.5" backspacing max, 285-wide tire max with that wheel.
• Sway bar spacers, reservoir mounts, and an ABS line bracket are included. Skid plate spacers are only needed if the skid plate is bent.
• Bypass rears mount with threaded inserts in factory holes on the 4Runner; no drilling.
• Alignment right after install. Recheck height after the springs settle.

Who Should Buy These

4th-gen owners building a do-everything rig: overland weight, dirt miles, and a daily commute. If yours is stock height and staying there, this isn't the kit.

Read our Bilstein 8112 / 8100 4Runner Review