Howdy folks -

I am preparing to install new Bilstein 5100's on my 2014 TEP and have a question about springs. Overall, my goal is to accomplish a little lift while replacing some worn parts. I will also most likely move from a stock size 265 to a larger 275 the next time I buy tires.

My 4Runner currently has around 120k miles on its original suspension and I am thinking that while I am at it I should just use a new spring on each assembly as well.

I am having a hard time finding replacement springs that do not add lift. I was thinking that I would just set the Bilsteins at +1.75" in the front and then add a 1" Cornfed spacer in the rear while using the existing springs originally, but now that I have talked to some folks and done some Google-fu I am thinking that new springs would be a good idea.

Online I have seen: full strut assemblies on RockAuto, some from Moog (that were very reasonably priced), and coils that provide anywhere from +1" to +3" lift. I was hoping that someone would be kind enough to share a recommendation for where I could get springs or if I should abandon the rear spacer entirely and just get a spring that provides +1 to +1.5" in the rear and mount it with the new 5100 shock.

Thanks ya'll.

If you want a functional lift, the 1" rear Eibach spring is very nice. That's what I have. If you want to be level, Dobinsons offers what they call stock height rear spring, C59-323:
Dobinsons 5th Gen T4R Suspension options - lots of choices

Other options are Dobinsons in the 1-1.5 range and Bilstein stock spring rate lift rear springs for 1.5sh.

While you are on it, why not get Bilstein 6112 for the front with either the 600lb standard springs (which I find softer valved than I wish they were) or the 650lb springs (with either planned weight or a preference for a stiffer front)? You can find them for just over 600, coils and shocks. It also allows leveling left to right side. If you have any 3/16 steel skids and sliders, you will get a bit less lift than indicated on the instructions, I got the 1/3 lift from 2/4 settings.

You can couple those with your choice of rear shock, even the 5100 (or Eibach Pro Sport) if you don't want to try 5160 or Icon 2.0.

Firstly - Thank you very much for the information. That is insanely helpful!

I would have considered the 6112, however, my 5100's got delivered today haha.

For rear I am thinking one of these options:
1. 5100 shock w/ a Dobinsons C59-323 (basically a replacement OE coil) + 1" spacer. This might be too much, so I'll yield to advice from folks like you that know much more than I do!

2. 5100 shock w/ Dobinsons C59-599 (coil that will yield +1" to +1.25"). I think this is maybe a "cleaner" version of #1.

I am a little slow on the uptake I suppose, so the front is still a little confusing for me. I have been under the assumption that I would "lift" by using an OE style spring and use the height adjustment on the front Bilstein struts. I have seen a ton of folks doing the +1.75" in the front with a +1" in the rear so aesthetically, that is what I am after. I may have made that assumption in error though since I am guessing that those folks just reused their stock springs.

Looking through the Dobinson front options (I do have KDSS btw), I don't see an OE replacement spring, so could I do the following in the front:

5100 shock (set at stock) w/ a Dobinsons C59-300 (+1.75")?

If I am keeping track correctly, this would be the same as a 5100 set at +1.75" in the front with a +1" spacer in the rear.

Again, I really am very appreciative of the knowledge sharing!

Well, preferences will vary, partly depending on use. You will need to hear from Mike at Dobinsons and from someone running 5100s.

I did enough offroading on the stock coils to learn to dislike them thoroughly. If bigger rocks and/or desert roads and/or frequent high-clearance trails are not on the agenda, then simpler options will do. But if they are, the stock coils are too prone to dive over rocks and to help make sure you bottom out even at fairly low speeds (like 15).

Using Dobinsons coils will help with that. I would look into the Dobinsons 238, 296, or 300 front coil depending on desired height with the 5100 at no preload. BUT I have read that the 5100s don't work too well with Dobinsons coils. Ask Mike by email before you purchase anything from Dobinsons; he will help with understanding options and match.

I can say that I really liked my Dobinsons front coils.

But I don't want to confuse you about front options since I have never had 5100s. All I know is that the front stock coils can go anywhere but are not good enough for frequent offroading. Dirt roads are fine.

I understand, and have reached out to Mike via email to seek his guidance. I will post back here with the results of that conversation so other folks can find it as well.

Maybe look at wheelers T1 and T13

Shop By Vehicle - 4Runner - 2010+ 4Runner - Suspension - Coil Springs - Wheeler's Off-Road

Excellent recommendation. Their site says that the front coil will give ~+2.5”. I wonder if that will be too much, so I’ll have to do some searching this evening.

You would be better off moving the height setting on the 5100 down to zero and using a +1.5" coil to do the lift that way you arent putting as much preload on the shock and you can get moore travel out of the 5100s

I agree. I did not really understand that the spring would be preloaded by using the height adjustment. This makes total sense so I am going to take my stock measurements and evaluate how much rake a +1.5 front & +1” rear spring with the Bilsteins will provide vs. using a spring that gives a +1”.

I plan on looking at the options from OME, Wheeler’s, & Dobinson and report back with what I end up ordering with regard to springs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Make sure you pay attention to rake. I like the stock rake, which becomes level when loaded or towing. some people like the level look all the time, and some people like the reverse rake look. Keep that in mind when deciding on how you set those 5100's. I think if you install 5100's at zero on all 4 corners, and just use those wheelers springs, you keep the factory rake and full shock stroke. I'm no suspension expert, when I replaced my shocks recently, I went OEM for a fraction of the cost and kept original springs. Why not, they lasted me about 160k before they started leaking! I did research pretty heavily and almost went with the setup I'm describing above, and still might the next time I replace them. Search the forum for wheelers T13 on 5100's and you'll find some more info. Good luck!