Interview with Bilstein

[sbsyncro]

Ladies & Gents,

Just wanted to let everyone know that I had a preliminary conversation this morning with Bilstein and "cleared the way" for an interview with their product specialist to discuss a variety of subjects regarding their offerings for our Toyota trucks. I intend to cover the following subjects:

1. Frequently asked questions regarding the BTS coilover shocks and the 5100 "Pre-load Adjustable" shocks.

2. Application specific details for 2WD and 4WD versions of both Double Cab and non-Double Cab vehicles

3. Competitive positioning against other "similar" options such as the SAW and Donahoe coilovers as well as the upcoming Rancho "9000 Triple X" and "Quick Lift" products for the Tundra. (In fact, I am thinking of contacting both vendors to produce a "head-to-head" comparison, and it would be great if we could include actual customer experience with both products if anyone wants to contribute.)

4. On-road and Off-road applications of both options from Bilstein - design criteria and actual case studies on usage with the Tundra

5. Empirical test data from Bilstein and Toyota. (As an OEM supplier to Toyota, Bilstein has the unique advantage of working directly with Toyota for "duty cycle" testing, and has a lot of data). This should help us cut through all the myth and rhetoric around at least the Bilstein offerings. (hopefully it will offer a model to take to other mfg's and gather more data about their products as well).

So what is my motivation for doing this? Basically, I am trying to make a decison about what to install on my own truck, and I found that while this community is a terrific resource, by nature it is mostly "opinion" and lacks a lot of "straight from the horse's mouth" types of information. Since the choice of lift kit/method is one of the more important choices most of us make for our trucks, I wanted to gather more direct information and empirical data to help in making the decision. BTW, I should mention that I have used both Bilstein and Rancho products and have been very happy with both companies over the years, so I really consider myself very unbiased.

FWIW, I happen to run Sales & Marketing for a tech company, so I have a little bit of "domain expertise" in producing this type of information (and have a pretty well-developed "BS detector" when it comes to marketing hype)

If anyone has other topics they would like to see covered in this interview/FAQ please post them here and I will include them in my interviews with both Bilstein and Rancho (and any other MFGs I speak with). I'd love to see this as "THE record of information on these types of "mild lifts" for the Tundra (and perhaps the Taco, too), and your input will help that goal a great deal! Thanks in advance,

-Brent

[Tundra Truck Driver]

Sounds great. You really are going above and beyond with this. Keep us informed. I'm sure I speak for others when I say I would love to hear about new lifting information as it really is a big part of deciding what to do with our trucks.

[CoyoteAZ]

I would love to know how durable their products are to offroading.... I don't do crazy stuff...... but my truck spends time in the dirt & rocks/hills/ruts/washboards etc.



I had some KYB shocks in an old SUV of mine.... they were stiffer on the street then the stock shuts..... but sucked something fierce offroad.

[sbsyncro]

Heh, yea - KYB shocks are typically way too stiff - I think the last time I installed them on a car was when I was in High School, and that was on my '74 Vega that I hot-rodded up with a V-6 motor, headers, and 60-series tires.

[sbsyncro]

Originally Posted by CoyoteAZ

I would love to know how durable their products are to offroading.... I don't do crazy stuff...... but my truck spends time in the dirt & rocks/hills/ruts/washboards etc.

That's exactly the kind of information I will be after - but EMPIRICAL test data - not "one guy's word" about how "gnarly" it was down in Baja after a 6-pack of beer...