That was my reasoning when I bought it. I didn't want a ton of lift, but I love the idea that I could dial in whatever amount of lift I wanted, so it was worth the extra few hundred to me. The adjusting is still a pain in the ass, but not nearly as bad as pulling the assembly apart.

Quick question. Im looking at finally upgrading from xreas as mine is on its way out. I found the Metal tech long travel rear suspension which looks pretty nice. It seems most people put the MT long travel in back and Icon extended travel coilovers in front. However, the Icon ones are way out of my price range, especially considering you need new upper control arms. My question would be is it worth it to just have the MT extended travel in back with a more common front lift such as OME or toytec coilovers, or would it just be a waste?

More travel is always good. But I think you would be best served by having LT front and rear if you go LT. I stayed with regular travel on my 4Runner and can't complain. I had LT on my old rig, but didn't feel I needed it this time given my projected use. I would also stick to one brand of dampers front and rear. It will keep the feel more balanced. I found the OME springs on Bilsteins dampers to be a good ride. The OME dampers have a little heavier valving which helps control heavier loads better. But if you aren't carrying heavier loads the bilsteins will be a tad softer valved and more comfy.

The Icons are a premium option in both cost and performance. Most of us that have adjustable Icon, Fox or Kings tend to have better ride quality. Just a by product of higher quality custom dampers. You pay a little more, but my ride is plush when going over whoops in the desert or railroad crossings in the city.

Thanks, looks like Ill either save up til I can see myself spending that much on a full long travel kit, or just go with a cheaper option, most likely ome 885 front, all pro 3.5 rears with bilstein 5100's all the way around (backs would be extended length tacoma version with new bushings)

As previously stated, more travel is good, but I'd start with the front first. The rear already has more travel than the front, so IMO you'll see the most benefit by going long (extended) travel in the front. Having huge amounts of travel in the rear won't help you much if you're still limited by the front.

Can't go wrong either way, but if I was working on a limited budget and could only do one right now, it'd be the front.

Yep, thats pretty much what I figured. Ill do it once and do it right, too bad thats a long ways off, haha.

All:

I have 2004 4runner needs to replace OEM Struts and shock. I like to replace with new struts and shock which can provide better and comfort rid to taxi my kids around. I have been looking into Bilstein 5100 Series Shocks, but its seems doesn't have spring as my OEM. Does it work? or do you have any better suggestion on brands or model for safe and comfort rid/little bit off road. Many thanks.

Lone

Bilsteins 5100 series works just fine with OEM front and rear coil springs.

First off I have DayStar 2.5/1.5 with Airlift 1000 airbags. This past week I tore the Xreas out and installed some Bilstein 5100's front and rear. I left the front and rear DayStar Spacers in and set the front Bilsteins to 0.85. The front is just slightly higher.

My question is... I want to get springs. Thinking about getting just the rear ToyTec Superflex 2" Springs to raise the rear. Do I or Should I take out the DayStar front and rear and set the front 5100's up, leaving the factory springs up front?

OR

3" FJ LIFT W/ FRONT & REAR COILS <- Install this spring package with 884 up front and ToyTec Superflex in the rear. Should I get ToyTec TopSpacer? Should I leave in the DS Spacers front and rear or just the rear and set the front 5100's to Max?

I plan on no extra front or rear weight other than normal cargo and the 5 cuft 3/4" MDF Sub Box with 2-12" Subs behind the rear seat. I really don't want to use FJ or other used springs. This is a DD. for the input.

Neogauge - if you are not adding weight move the front 5100's to the max and keep using the OEM springs. In the rear use the OEM springs with ds spring spacer. This will be a 2.5/1.5" lift with almost stick ride quality.

If you got the $$, 885 front with 5100 on lowest setting and super flex in rear with the 5100. Will be firmer than stock and yield ~3" front/2" rear.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed useful information to this thread! I've still got a lot of reading to do to figure out exactly what I am going to do since I want more offroad clearance and suspension travel but still need to maintain my towing ability, but I'm sure that because of everyone's posts here I'll end up with the perfect setup.

If anyone else has solved this problem, please let me know, otherwise I will continue going through all 55 pages before I ask any real questions.

Thanks ebg18t, That's the answer I was looking for. I may do the latter til I can shell out the $400 for the new springs.

Hi... question re replacing shocks.

I have an '03 w/ self levelling suspension (air bags vs springs in the back)

I need to replace the shocks and would like to put Bilstien 5100's in, however I have read that the rear 5100's have a different shock length which is a no go for my vehicle.

I have looked @ KYB's but they are a chunk of change more for the fronts than the 5100's. (5100 = $130cdn vs KYB = $180)

Does anyone have any other recommendations? Can I mix and match the brands? I like the idea of the 5100's to level out the rake on the front, but don't plan on lifting the vehicle other than that.

Thanks

I ran the 5100's with the air suspension and didn't have any issues. As long as you're not off roading frequently where you reach full extension, it shouldn't matter.

However, it's definitely safer to go with stock length shocks. Bilstein makes a 4600 series (HD). The Bilstein HD rear shocks have the same specs as the rear 5100's, only they are stock length. I would suggest running the 5100 front shocks and 4600 rear shocks, this way you are sticking with the same brand and essentially the same shock.

Hello everyone, I posted this in the main forum but really didn't get much feed back.
About 2 months ago I install quick struts on the front and reflex on the rear of my 2005 SR5 w/100,000 miles. The struts in the front are way to soft at hwy speeds and makes me feel like the front end is going to lose control when hitting a dip in the road. Seems fine on residential roads.
When the quick struts were installed the front end lifted about an inch over stock, but still 1" lower than the rear.
I have ordered front and rear Bilstein 5100's to fix this problem. Any suggestions for settings for the struts? Should I use the springs that came with the quick struts. They seem to be a little heaver duty with more wraps. Not sure though because of the poor strut performance. I also have some new Raybestos rear coil springs I could install. What do you think?

Thanks for any help at all. Have been reading a lot about this but trying to figure if I can use what I have.