Thanks for the input!!

Since this thread is about 5100s, whats's the best price you guys have seen lately for these and from where? I'm finding about $350 including shipping for the set (I can save money by using an Amazon seller that doesn't charge tax), but is there some other place running a deal right now?

My set of 5100's are on the way, bought them last Friday when eBay was doing a 20% off deal. I think I wound up paying $282 shipped for them.

This doesn't help you much I know, but it seems about $350 is about where the bottom is unless you catch a sale. You can always try your luck at some make offer auctions on eBay.

Yeah I saw that post about the 20% off deal right after it had expired, so I was pretty bummed!

Used that and paid $287 for mine on Friday as well. Just got notified they shipped. Ordering Dobinson 300/599 springs to go with them.

Right on, I plan on ordering those springs as well or I may go with the following:

Wheelers T1/T13 or OME 2883/T13.

Just installed 1.75 front with 1.5 daystar comfort fj spacer rear with stock rear shocks. Great ride! Front is a bit stiff but get rid of most of the nose dive. Installing with KDSS was a bit difficult but manageable. Just use more jacks and ratchet straps. Love the look and ride!

Folks...here is a better photo of the T4R post the lift/BFGs....this is just at .85, but has improved the stance quite a bit

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After a lot of research, I have completed my lift (long post… sorry)

My goal was:
1) Small lift (on the budget): to have about 2 in the front and 1.5 in the rear (I like the front (stock) rake look and truck levels out with the load in the back anyway), keep the CV angles as straight as possible.
2) Have a ride feel as close as possible to stock, with caster as high it can go with stock UCA.

So here is what I did: Bilstein 5100 on all 4 corners, 0.85 in the front with machined to 1/2" poly Daystar spacers on the front left and 5/8” spacer on the front right – to compensate possible lean on KDSS truck that is lifted, 1.5” Daystar spacers on the rear. Lift was installed by me using hand tools.

Reason for Bilstein 5100 in the rear: Bilstein have longer travel vs. stock shocks, so with 1.5" lift-stock shocks would be overextended if rear wheel (s) drops to the max level of travel.

Reasons for Bilstein 5100 0.85 setting and using poly spacers in the front:
1) Not to preload the spring too much -keep the ride as plush as possible.
2) More preload you do more up travel is reduced- so 0.85 is as much I want to go with.
3) Adding poly spacers insulates some of the road noise (vibration)- this one is more theory than an actual statement, however, my personal experience on 4th gen 4Runner confirms that theory.

After around 3000 miles with new shocks and spacers, here is end results of the lift (height is measured from to the fender flares, gas tank is 1/2 full):
Front left: 36 3/8” Front right: 36 5/16” (1/16” difference)
Rear left: 37 15/16”, Front right: 37 7/8” (1/16 difference)
Caster: left front 3.5, right front: 3.1.

One Week after doing the lift I took my family to Moab (including trails and all national parks around the area) then Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest and Painted desert-around 3000 miles total, with about 200-250 miles on trails. 4runner performed great, weather conditions were from 22 degrees (Grand Canyon) with snow, rain and dust storms to 80 degrees in Texas.

My thoughts on the lift (lifted 2.1” front, 1.5” rear, total price for all parts -with tax was $425.35):

Positive: less lean in turns and a lot less nose dive, obviously increased ground clearance, stance looks great (for me), truck feels more stable on the road (especially on highway with high side wind), CV angles looks great (almost parallel to the ground).

Negative: ride is firmer (vs. stock), it is not harsh, but you can feel the difference. I would describe it as you have slightly over-inflated tires (IMHO: expected from 5100 digressive valving). Interesting to note: I would say 70% of the “firmer” ride came from the rear (after 5100 was installed there)-I am 100% positive on this, as I took a short test drive after installing 5100 on the front and having rear stock.

PS: KDSS specific: lifting the truck with KDSS was not an issue at all, I did strap both pistons to be on a safe side (however, IMHO: I do not think it make any difference to strap or not). Having KDSS maybe added 15 minutes to my work.

Here are couple pictures from the trip and 4runner.

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Very nice! Did you use the "compressorless" method to install your fronts? Was there a specific tutorial that you followed to do it? I've got a number of them saved, but the more information the better!

Just pulled the trigger on my set since Amazon had the rears for about $65 each, so I'll be doing this soon.

Thank you! No, I did not use "compressorless" method -just didn’t feel right… I just rented spring compressor from O’Reilly -they had one specifically for SUV\Truck. I felt very confident using it and had no issue at all.
I had read through many threads before starting the lift, here is one that was very informative overall (and that one is using "compressorless" method, if decide to go that route):

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-ge...tml#post754964

One thing I would recommend is to take your time (do not be in a hurry). The whole process is really very simple, but it takes time without a proper lift (on the garage floor) and no air tools… LOL… so again, just take your time.

Thanks for the pic! I think this convinced me to go .85 and 265ko2s. I’ve been contemplated the 1.75 setting with a 1” rear spacer and bigger tires. I know I don’t NEED it though. I like the stance on yours and my white trail doesn’t have running boards so it should look a little taller. Bilsteins will be here Thurs.

Did you consider going higher?


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Thought I’d add my 2 cents after lurking in the forum for several weeks-feverishly eating up every Bilstein 5100 scrap that was thrown to me.
I was torn between going back with an Icon Lift kit(had stage 1 with Pro comp control arms on my previous 5th Gen 4Runner(came with it) or going with the Bilstein 5100 all around (front at 2.5”) and using a 1.5” daystar coil spacer in the rear, using the procomp control arms. This was all about saving money for me.
I got the set put on and have put a couple hundred miles on it- and it 100% is a better ride than the Icon setup I previously had. It is also a much better ride than the stock setup. The potholes are handled much easier and it is a much better daily driver.
I was worried I was going to be cutting corners and going the cheap route, but this was 100% the route to go for me.
I have a deer lease that I need some ground clearance and it has some rough trails and the 4Runner has performed great so far. For those of you on the fence, who really only do minor off-roading and use your 4Runner as your DD- this is the route to go.


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Non spring compressor method is very simple. Just make sure you jack up high enough and have a floor jack that has enough range. Follow this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkVLBOnAifc

I'm thinking about going from .85 front/stock rear to 1.75 front/cornfeds in the rear. That's all, just making a mental note as we deal with our 4th Nor'easter and looking forward to warmer days ;-)