5100's: .85" Front/Stock or 1.75/1" Lift Coils?

jhuerta22 · Aug 24, 2023

So I've read the forums to the point where I've already purchased the 5100's for my rig. I also picked up the Bilstein 36-281817 rear coils in the event that I might want to lift the rear more. That said, I'm torn between the 2nd perch lift of .85" up front and riding stock in the rear and the 3rd perch lift of 1.75" and the 1" coils in the rear. I'm looking for opinions from both camps, preferably someone who has experience with both setups, on things like comfort, handling, any issues with alignment, etc. I'm currently running the Icon Rebounds with the Falken Wildpeaks, so either should make it look good.

osugsxr · Aug 26, 2023

jhuerta22 said:
So I've read the forums to the point where I've already purchased the 5100's for my rig. I also picked up the Bilstein 36-281817 rear coils in the event that I might want to lift the rear more. That said, I'm torn between the 2nd perch lift of .85" up front and riding stock in the rear and the 3rd perch lift of 1.75" and the 1" coils in the rear. I'm looking for opinions from both camps, preferably someone who has experience with both setups, on things like comfort, handling, any issues with alignment, etc. I'm currently running the Icon Rebounds with the Falken Wildpeaks, so either should make it look good.

just leveled it and enjoy it, 5100s are a solid entry level shock and good value. I have 6112 with 650lb springs up front and 5100s with stock springs in the rear . Rides great and planted to the ground and nice look to it.

barry581 · Aug 27, 2023

I did the 1.75 in the front and added the 1" Cornfed spacers in the rear. Still has a bit of rake to it. I wished I'd have gone with the highest setting in the front, and may still end up doing it at some point.

MZ2215 · Aug 27, 2023

I just went from a declining x-reas to 5100's all around. Front set at the 2.5" lift setting with stock springs and I added a Cornfed 1" spacer to the rear springs. Measured from the bottom of the wheel well to the ground (directly above the wheel center caps) the rear now sits at 38" and the front is 37". Only had it a week or so but so far so good. More feedback, more planted, less rake, ready for 33's.

<a href="https://ibb.co/RBsqmCW"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/b2CkZrn/PXL-20230819-191340479.jpg" alt="PXL-20230819-191340479" border="0" /></a>

Muskrat14 · Aug 27, 2023

MZ2215 said:
I just went from a declining x-reas to 5100's all around. Front set at the 2.5" lift setting with stock springs and I added a Cornfed 1" spacer to the rear springs. Measured from the bottom of the wheel well to the ground (directly above the wheel center caps) the rear now sits at 38" and the front is 37". Only had it a week or so but so far so good. More feedback, more planted, less rake, ready for 33's.

<a href="https://ibb.co/RBsqmCW"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/b2CkZrn/PXL-20230819-191340479.jpg" alt="PXL-20230819-191340479" border="0" /></a>

This is what I needed to hear! Saw a YouTube vid and guy complained about ride at full 2.5” height in front.
Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lexington · Aug 27, 2023

osugsxr said:
just leveled it and enjoy it, 5100s are a solid entry level shock and good value. I have 6112 with 650lb springs up front and 5100s with stock springs in the rear . Rides great and planted to the ground and nice look to it.

I have this same set up and my vehicle drives great. The nice thing about the Bilstein shocks is they give your 4Runner a sports car like handling while still giving you good off-road performance. When you brake hard you don’t get any nose dive and almost no swaying when cornering. The only drawback is the Bilstein shock give a firmer ride.

With the heavy spring you bought, don’t install it until you add your bumper. It will make leveling your truck harder. I did this before I got my front bumper and my nose sat too high.

If your bumper weight is between 100-150lb get the 650lb pound spring. My front bumper is 140lb and Bilstein recommended a 700lb spring. It was too much and I had to drop it to 650lb and it’s fine now. Anything under a 100lb I think you can use 600lb spring which is for stocks bumpers and raise it a little.

Also I have the TRD pro which already came with the 2.5 inch lift.

If you lift it you will want to lift your pan hard rod for a better ride. This video will explain why. Do Not Lift Your 4Runner ... Overland Build Recommended Geometry Fix - Do Not Lift Without This - YouTube

progress4m · Aug 27, 2023

To OP, take a look at the description and reasoning for my "Bilstein 5100, Custom lift: front 2.1", rear 1.5"lift" here: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2938235-post744.html
That lift was done 5 years ago and I still love the way it drives and looks, note: my 4Runner has KDSS.

Hope that helps.

MZ2215 · Aug 27, 2023

Muskrat14 said:
This is what I needed to hear! Saw a YouTube vid and guy complained about ride at full 2.5” height in front.
Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've seen some negative comments as well, went back and forth between 1.75 and 2.5 for a couple weeks but decided that was the stance I wanted and if it was bad I could always switch. The steering feels slightly 'lighter' but there's more feedback and it feels more responsive (without being 'darty'). Had always seen people complain about nose dive but didn't think it was as bad as made out to be, have been VERY impressed in the few harder braking instances after installing the new shocks.

Lexington · Aug 28, 2023

What are the negative about the 2.5 lift? Just curious. Since I’ve only owned a TRD Pro I’m only familiar with the 2.5 lift.

Muskrat14 · Aug 28, 2023

From personal experience, I did have to replace the needle bearings front left. But that was after 100K miles. I’m not complaining.

What I referred to was a YouTube vid where the guy said the driving was terrible.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jhuerta22 · Aug 28, 2023

progress4m said:
To OP, take a look at the description and reasoning for my "Bilstein 5100, Custom lift: front 2.1", rear 1.5"lift" here: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2938235-post744.html
That lift was done 5 years ago and I still love the way it drives and looks, note: my 4Runner has KDSS.

Hope that helps.

Okay, so my Trail is KDSS and I noticed that you mentioned strapping the pistons. Is that while installing the new shocks?

So there is a lean with KDSS that I'll have to take into consideration. Do I need to buy a shim kit and where would I find an 1/8" trim packer? Would it be better to do that on the rear?

I'll probably go .85 up front and stock in the rear. I'm not a big fan of the rake and would like a more leveled lift. I did buy a set of 1/2" fronts spacers in case I want more lift in the front to level. I think if I go with the 1" coils in the rear I'll get new front coils to level.

progress4m · Aug 28, 2023

jhuerta22 said:
Okay, so my Trail is KDSS and I noticed that you mentioned strapping the pistons. Is that while installing the new shocks?

So there is a lean with KDSS that I'll have to take into consideration. Do I need to buy a shim kit and where would I find an 1/8" trim packer? Would it be better to do that on the rear?

I'll probably go .85 up front and stock in the rear. I'm not a big fan of the rake and would like a more leveled lift. I did buy a set of 1/2" fronts spacers in case I want more lift in the front to level. I think if I go with the 1" coils in the rear I'll get new front coils to level.

Yes, I did strap pistons only while installing new shocks, not necessary to do, but it gave me peace of mind.

I made the right spacer on the front thicker by 1/8 of the inch (1/2" spacers on the front left and 5/8” spacer on the front right) to compensate for possible lean, I believe it made a difference since I have no lean, but considering that it is only 1/8" difference, if removed and in the worst case scenario I would have 1/4" lean… which is nothing anyway.

As I mentioned, I had the luxury to have a machinist at the place I work that was willing to do a favor for me and make custom spacers.
But you can find those spacers as well, see links below.
OME 0.4" Rear Lift/Lean Correction Spacer - 2003+ Toyota 4Runner / FJ (150PR10) | TheYotaGarage
Sagging Leaning 4Runners correction kits

If you go .85 up front and stock in the rear, then I would not worry about any lean spacers.
At the worst, you can always get one of those lean spacers for the rear at any point after the lift.

AggieOE · Aug 29, 2023

Went with 1.75 up front with 1.5" Cornfed spacers in the rear and LOVE IT.
I've had this set up since Sept. 2020 and still can't get enough of it.

It sits right with slightly less rake than stock but enough to not sag when loaded up.
No more nosedive
No more extreme roll
Stiffer but not harsh ride (kinda like a newer sports car)
Front CVs are barely off horizontal.

N2TRKYS · Sep 2, 2023

I debated between the 0.85 and 1.75 with spacer when I got my 5100s. If I went 1.75, I was gonna do either 1/2 or 3/4” rear spacer cause I rather have a level vehicle. I ultimately decided to go with the 0.85 setting and couldn’t be happier with my choice. I’ve since added a SSO hybrid bumper with a Warn 8000 lbs winch with synthetic rope. It still looks level to me and I love the look.

I put stock size BFG KO2 tires on with this setup. I don’t think I would change anything about my setup.

Also, I stayed with the factory shocks. I have a 2018 TRD Off Road 4Runner in silver.

T4RandTacos · Sep 6, 2023

I'm about to get the Eibach version of this kit installed. I've only got 11k miles on my factory Nittos and want to run them into the ground before upgrading to something a little bigger. Anyone have experience running the SpyderTrax spacers at either the low .85" or 1.75" setting on stock size 265s? I know they tend to rub on stock suspension at/near full tilt, curious if the small lift on the front end will eliminate that rub. Hoping they'll help visually fill out the truck until the upgrade comes in a couple of years. Thanks!

jhuerta22 · Sep 14, 2023

Okay, time to play "No Stupid Questions". If I were to go with the .85" setting and a 1/2" spacer on the front, netting about 1.35" of lift, would that give me a slight rake unloaded and a level look loaded?

I'm still considering the 1.75" route, but I'd rather achieve the lift with a new front coils. Has anyone here combined the 5100's with an OME 2883 coil? After reading it seems like that would get me close to the 1.75" lift and then I could install my 1" rear springs to level.

vsop4me · Sep 15, 2023

jhuerta22 said:
Okay, time to play "No Stupid Questions". If I were to go with the .85" setting and a 1/2" spacer on the front, netting about 1.35" of lift, would that give me a slight rake unloaded and a level look loaded?

I'm still considering the 1.75" route, but I'd rather achieve the lift with a new front coils. Has anyone here combined the 5100's with an OME 2883 coil? After reading it seems like that would get me close to the 1.75" lift and then I could install my 1" rear springs to level.

FWIWs, I went with 1.75" front and 1" rear with 255/80 and I think that combination is the perfect balance of functionality, performance and aesthetic. There is a slight rake but it's not pronounced and when loaded which is why we have these vehicle has the "perfect" level in my opinion. Do it once and do it right, it's $40k+ vehicle, take care of it. If you're building this for functionality and not just for looks, do it right with springs and shocks all around. I don't go rock crawling but use it to access back country for other activities so depends on what your need is.

jhuerta22 · Sep 21, 2023

vsop4me said:
If you're building this for functionality and not just for looks, do it right with springs and shocks all around.

I'm looking at the 2883's for the front struts and I have Bilstein 1" rears I picked up for cheap. I'm guessing that this will be the route I go, but I've heard some get 1.5" with the 2883's and some get 2". Not sure why there is a difference. Maybe KDSS? I'd prefer 1.5" to 2".

Lexington · Sep 21, 2023

jhuerta22 said:
I'm looking at the 2883's for the front struts and I have Bilstein 1" rears I picked up for cheap. I'm guessing that this will be the route I go, but I've heard some get 1.5" with the 2883's and some get 2". Not sure why there is a difference. Maybe KDSS? I'd prefer 1.5" to 2".

Out of curiosity are you just looking to give your 4Runner a lift or do you want to improve handling too? If you just want a lift then adding spacers is fine. Keep in mind that if you lift it you should consider getting a Panhard lift kit for optimal ride.

If you’re wanting to improve handling, then you want to replace the stock coils as well. In that case I would recommend you go with the Bilstein shocks since you already have the rears. Not only will it improve handling but also it’s adjustable which will allow you to tweak your height just to where you want it and you won’t have to fuss with spacer. Personally I think this is the better option especially if you want more than a 1” lift. If you just do an occasional off-roading and nothing too extreme you can get the 5100 but if you plan to adventure a little more off-road then I would recommend the 6112.

One last thing to consider. If you’re planning to add more than 100lb on the front by adding a bumper and winch then you definitely want to replace the coil to better maintain your lift and handling.

jhuerta22 · Sep 21, 2023

Lexington said:
Out of curiosity are you just looking to give your 4Runner a lift or do you want to improve handling too?

I'm looking to level it for now and eventually lift it. I have the 5100 shocks and just the rear 1" coils. I would prefer to upgrade the front coils as well, but I'm not sure if I'll need a rear spacer to level if I go with the OME 2883's or if it will sit where I want it to.

If you just do an occasional off-roading and nothing too extreme you can get the 5100 but if you plan to adventure a little more off-road then I would recommend the 6112.

Yup, I opted for the 5100's as that's what I have for my 3rd gen and it works for what I need. I considered the 6112's but couldn't justify putting that much into it as I've already spent enough on wheels and tires. It's my daily driver with the occasional drive in the country. My 3rd gen is my designated off-roader and hunting vehicle so I don't have to worry much about keeping it stock.

last thing to consider. If you’re planning to add more than 100lb on the front by adding a bumper and winch then you definitely want to replace the coil to better maintain your lift and handling

I would LOVE to put a hybrid bumper up front, but it seems like the only way to get one now is to find one used. Most aftermarket companies quit making them for 2010-13 4Runners. If that were the case, I would go with the OME 2884's on the 5100's. I was just curious if it was worth it to skip moving the snap ring up a perch or two and just getting aftermarket front coils.

5100's: .85" Front/Stock or 1.75/1" Lift Coils?

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