2014 TE front level spacer from Wheelers? Or 5100's?

[GRN285]

First 4runner-first post
Anybody using or have used one of Wheelers aluminum or black plastic/rubber spacers that go on top of strut.
They have 3/8 or 1/4.

I've always used OME springs, 5100's or a combo on previous rigs.

I never used a spacer lift. I just want to raise the front about an inch- just enough to take a little bit of the factory rake out.
I'm not a fan of spacers but a minimal spacer that won't need longer studs seems to be a viable option.

5100's are also an option but don't want too much then have to raise the back also. Then I'll start getting into too deep and have a 4" lift with bigger tires etc. Been there with my last Tacoma.

I'm gonna leave it stock(no lift)with stock size tires.

Any advice on these?

 

[philsey]

5100's are very popular around this forum. I wanted a little firmer ride, plus .85 on the fronts brought the front to very-near-level. Mission accomplished, great solution.

Up in the stickies is a great link for searching the forum. Volumes have been written on Bilsteins and spacers.

 

[BobsTrail]

5100's are very popular around this forum. I wanted a little firmer ride, plus .85 on the fronts brought the front to very-near-level. Mission accomplished, great solution.

What he said and:
5100s helps the nose dive and with 5100s on all 4 gives better off-road control and feel.
Not much more work than adding spacers.

 

[GRN285]

Thanks for the input. I was leaning that way.
I can't find the 5100's at .85 pic thread anymore-I'll look more later
Here's what happened before.....

 

[SoCal147]

I got tired of waiting months for these and contacted ToyTec today. The nose dive is scary on my rig.

 

[Texas777]

I got tired of waiting months for these and contacted ToyTec today. The nose dive is scary on my rig.

I've been waiting about a month (ordered the day after I bought my Trail) and AutoAnything just moved delivery date out another month. From the sound of it many others have waited a lot longer than I have so far. 4Wheel Parts couldn't tell me when they would get them. Did ToyTec have them in stock? Was on their site today looking at pre-assembled spring/5100 combinations. May just order from them.

 

[SoCal147]

I've been waiting about a month (ordered the day after I bought my Trail) and AutoAnything just moved delivery date out another month. From the sound of it many others have waited a lot longer than I have so far. 4Wheel Parts couldn't tell me when they would get them. Did ToyTec have them in stock? Was on their site today looking at pre-assembled spring/5100 combinations. May just order from them.

Yes, already shipped. They only had two sets available I think.

 

[Texas777]

Yes, already shipped. They only had two sets available I think.

Thanks, just ordered a set. Still showed to be in stock so figured I better pull the trigger before they are sold out too.

 

[Dan0280]

I got my Bilsteins from [MENTION=31277]chitown4x4[/MENTION]. According to his website he still has them. Got them with free shipping in 2-3 days.

Bilstein 5100 4 Runner Lift. Level 2 Lift - Chi-Town 4x4

 

[ATL4R]

I've been waiting about a month (ordered the day after I bought my Trail) and AutoAnything just moved delivery date out another month. From the sound of it many others have waited a lot longer than I have so far. 4Wheel Parts couldn't tell me when they would get them. Did ToyTec have them in stock? Was on their site today looking at pre-assembled spring/5100 combinations. May just order from them.

Bilstein North America has said there is a delay in the supply for these particular shocks and many others. According to my contact at Bilstein, these should begin shipping out in approximately 3 to 7 weeks.

Please note that when ordering front Bilstein's from Toytec, they have been and still are shipping out the 4th gen shocks for both 4th and 5th gen 4Runners. No 5th gen has had any issues using 4th gen shocks, but the bushing at the bottom is not to spec for the 5th gens. Bilstein built a shock for the 5th gens with different valving and a new bushing for a reason, not sure why everyone settles for the 4th gen shock.

Bilstein makes great shocks, just make sure you know what you are ordering.

 

[Texas777]

Bilstein North America has said there is a delay in the supply for these particular shocks and many others. According to my contact at Bilstein, these should begin shipping out in approximately 3 to 7 weeks.

Please note that when ordering front Bilstein's from Toytec, they have been and still are shipping out the 4th gen shocks for both 4th and 5th gen 4Runners. No 5th gen has had any issues using 4th gen shocks, but the bushing at the bottom is not to spec for the 5th gens. Bilstein built a shock for the 5th gens with different valving and a new bushing for a reason, not sure why everyone settles for the 4th gen shock.

Bilstein makes great shocks, just make sure you know what you are ordering.

Thanks, wasn't aware that there was a 5th Gen version. With only aesthetic changes for the 2014 4Runners, I wonder why the changes in the 5100's?

 

[ATL4R]

Thanks, wasn't aware that there was a 5th Gen version. With only aesthetic changes for the 2014 4Runners, I wonder why the changes in the 5100's?

I think you misunderstood me.

5th gen = 2010-Current
4th gen = 2002-2009

ToyTec is using the 2002-2009 shock for all 4Runners 2002-2014. Bilstein has a 5100 available for our 2010-Current 4Runners, but ToyTec does not stock it.

 

[Texas777]

I think you misunderstood me.

5th gen = 2010-Current
4th gen = 2002-2009

ToyTec is using the 2002-2009 shock for all 4Runners 2002-2014. Bilstein has a 5100 available for our 2010-Current 4Runners, but ToyTec does not stock it.

Thanks. Got it now. So the $64,000 question is...who does stock the correct 5100's, and what is the correct part #? I ordered 24-196499 from AutoAnything as that is what they showed as being correct?

 

[SoCal147]

I did not realize TT sold the generation 4 setup for the generation 5. Seems like they are misleading customers. I will contact them today and get their side of the story.

Does not seem very customer oriented or forum friendly on the part of TT if this info is correct.

Email sent today:

This was posted soon after I purchased my shock kit from you. I called prior to the purchase and spoke with one of your employees concerning the shock kit. Nothing was mentioned that the kit was for the generation 4 Forerunner.

Quote:
Originally Posted
Thanks, wasn't aware that there was a 5th Gen version. With only aesthetic changes for the 2014 4Runners, I wonder why the changes in the 5100's?
I think you misunderstood me.

5th gen = 2010-Current
4th gen = 2002-2009

ToyTec is using the 2002-2009 shock for all 4Runners 2002-2014. Bilstein has a 5100 available for our 2010-Current 4Runners, but ToyTec does not stock it.


This was copied directly from the Toyota Forerunner forum. Is this correct?



I will post the reply from ToyTec

 

[Texas777]

I did not realize TT sold the generation 4 setup for the generation 5. Seems like they are misleading customers. I will contact them today and get their side of the story.

Does not seem very customer oriented or forum friendly on the part of TT if this info is correct.

Email sent today:

This was posted soon after I purchased my shock kit from you. I called prior to the purchase and spoke with one of your employees concerning the shock kit. Nothing was mentioned that the kit was for the generation 4 Forerunner.

Quote:
Originally Posted
Thanks, wasn't aware that there was a 5th Gen version. With only aesthetic changes for the 2014 4Runners, I wonder why the changes in the 5100's?
I think you misunderstood me.

5th gen = 2010-Current
4th gen = 2002-2009

ToyTec is using the 2002-2009 shock for all 4Runners 2002-2014. Bilstein has a 5100 available for our 2010-Current 4Runners, but ToyTec does not stock it.


This was copied directly from the Toyota Forerunner forum. Is this correct?



I will post the reply from ToyTec

I decided to hold off and wait for the "new" version of the 5100's. Canceled my order with Toytec. Below is the reply from them re: the "old" shock. Probably would have been fine with the prior version given everyone's experience with them since 2010, or whenever that shock was first produced for this generation of 4Runners.

"We will go ahead and cancel your order, however we do not stock, nor do we plan to stock the new shock. The 24-186711 has worked great for us for years. It is a little bit longer than the new shock, and it is what we engineered our lift kits to work with."

 

[thebwlife]

I would bet the valve setting is different cause the weights are different. That's how the OME shocks are different.

 

[ATL4R]

I decided to hold off and wait for the "new" version of the 5100's. Canceled my order with Toytec. Below is the reply from them re: the "old" shock. Probably would have been fine with the prior version given everyone's experience with them since 2010, or whenever that shock was first produced for this generation of 4Runners.

"We will go ahead and cancel your order, however we do not stock, nor do we plan to stock the new shock. The 24-186711 has worked great for us for years. It is a little bit longer than the new shock, and it is what we engineered our lift kits to work with."

Yeah, they probably want to stock as few items as possible, since they claim to be the lift experts for so many different types of vehicles. They've got:

Toytec Lifts - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits ("At ToyTec Lifts, we really know Toyota Truck Lift Kits")
nissteclifts.com ("At NissTec Lifts, we really know Nissan Truck Lift Kits")
Welcome to F150lifts.com - ("We specialize in suspension lift kits and accessories for your F150 Truck")

Check out the websites. They are all the same except for the "brand." I'm sure they want to stock as few parts as possible, since they are stocking for Ford, Nissan, & Toyota vehicles.

 

[SoCal147]

I am not sure how to handle this. The order has already shipped.

Reply from TT:

Hi Patrick,
That information is mostly correct. We use a shock that works on the 03 - 14 4Runner. Bilstein came out with the new shock long after the 2010 model was released. We have always utilized the same shock for the 4Runner's and FJ's because it works just fine, and you get a little more performance out of it (the new shock is a little bit shorter). We do not stock the new shock number, nor do we intend to.

I hope this answers your questions.



There is no mention of valving or bushing difference in the TT response or on their web site where the kit is offered.