4th Gen Suspension Options/FAQ

[Oneluv13T4R]

Hopefully someone can help...

Bought a set of 5100's from a member on here with the Daystar 2.5 spacer lift already assembled on the strut assembly with factory coils. The Billies are set on the "0" lift setting so all my lift is coming from the Daystar kit. The problem is I had an alignment done the other day and there is some toe-in that can't be corrected because they have run out of ability to adjust the upper control arm.

This leads me to my question... If I remove the Daystar 2.5 spacer lift and bump the Billies up to the "2.5" lift setting will I maintain the same ride height (within 1/2") as I have now with just the Daystar ?

Sorry for the newbie question, did research but couldn't find anything specific to my question.

Yes, if you did that you would be correct in your thinking. That is what I did ripped out the spacer lift and just cranked up the 5100's.

 

[06forerunner]

Yes, if you did that you would be correct in your thinking. That is what I did ripped out the spacer lift and just cranked up the 5100's.

Awesome ! Thanks for the reply. Going to tackle this tomorrow.

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

pm'd

Sending u a pm, got a question

 

[t-man]

Yes, if you did that you would be correct in your thinking. That is what I did ripped out the spacer lift and just cranked up the 5100's.

Wouldn't it ride better with lift spacers instead of the preload on the springs? Was my understanding anyways. Lol I'm thinking of putting in a spacer and setting my Bilsteins to the 0 setting.

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

Wouldn't it ride better with lift spacers instead of the preload on the springs? Was my understanding anyways. Lol I'm thinking of putting in a spacer and setting my Bilsteins to the 0 setting.

That's what i always thought too, ( preload springs or take away travel of the shock?) that's the way I had it for 10 mths and thought it handled great and the ride was great both on and off the road. Until just lil over a month ago I got a another couple new front 5100's and I thought screw it since I'm installing some new one's lets try it without the spacers since I always wondered how it would compare with ride quality needed to feel it for myself, so I yanked my spacers and cranked up the 5100's and I wouldn't go back. I even sold my spacers cause I was so pleased.
my .02 cents and to each there own.
maybe different springs I would not feel the same ...mmm damn now you have thinking.

Best way I can describe the difference is without spacers and 5100's on top setting is everytime I hit dips, bumps on the gas, it feels like back in the day being in my dads caddy that floaty subtle wavy motion, like yeah were rollin.

And with spacers its not that feeling, but its not bad neither honestly just has edge a very slight ridgidness to the bounce.Even when off roading theres that subtle diference of the two set ups.... hope you can kind get what I'm saying and helps but if your like me you gotta try it for yourself.

 

[t-man]

That's what i always thought too, ( preload springs or take away travel of the shock?) that's the way I had it for 10 mths and thought it handled great and the ride was great both on and off the road. Until just lil over a month ago I got a another couple new front 5100's and I thought screw it since I'm installing some new one's lets try it without the spacers since I always wondered how it would compare with ride quality needed to feel it for myself, so I yanked my spacers and cranked up the 5100's and I wouldn't go back. I even sold my spacers cause I was so pleased.
my .02 cents and to each there own.
maybe different springs I would not feel the same ...mmm damn now you have thinking.

Best way I can describe the difference is without spacers and 5100's on top setting is everytime I hit dips, bumps on the gas, it feels like back in the day being in my dads caddy that floaty subtle wavy motion, like yeah were rollin.

And with spacers its not that feeling, but its not bad neither honestly just has edge a very slight ridgidness to the bounce.Even when off roading theres that subtle diference of the two set ups.... hope you can kind get what I'm saying and helps but if your like me you gotta try it for yourself.

Ok so you think it is softer feeling with the Bilsteins cranked up on the top setting and stiffer with the spacer? Just trying to clarify.
I am thinking that I will put in the 3" lift spacer and put the Bilstein on the .85 setting. My springs are sagging pretty bad so this should give me just over 3" of lift in the front. Then I'm thinking FJ coils in the rear with my Daystar 1.5" spacer which should give me 2-2.25 of lift back there.
I then would run this set up until I can afford to go up to my next full suspension kit.

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

Ok so you think it is softer feeling with the Bilsteins cranked up on the top setting and stiffer with the spacer? Just trying to clarify.
I am thinking that I will put in the 3" lift spacer and put the Bilstein on the .85 setting. My springs are sagging pretty bad so this should give me just over 3" of lift in the front. Then I'm thinking FJ coils in the rear with my Daystar 1.5" spacer which should give me 2-2.25 of lift back there.
I then would run this set up until I can afford to go up to my next full suspension kit.

You got it correct.
I also have that exact same set up in the rear, currently as well.
Do me a favor when you do the front set up will you take measurement before and after. To see what you height you get compared to what I had. I know there will be slight variences due to tires,springs etc but it will be close in general. Unless my springs were/are shot.
Then also how you feel about the ride, should be interesting all being the same.

 

[t-man]

You got it correct.
I also have that exact same set up in the rear, currently as well.
Do me a favor when you do the front set up will you take measurement before and after. To see what you height you get compared to what I had. I know there will be slight variences due to tires,springs etc but it will be close in general. Unless my springs were/are shot.
Then also how you feel about the ride, should be interesting all being the same.

Ok. I agree, will be interesting. Only thing I'm trying to do is gain some height until I can afford a better system. I need to clear these 35's a little better! Lol
Won't you get more travel with a spacer instead of preloading the springs? Seems like it but I'm not sure exactly if I'm thinking correctly.
I would love to get some FJ springs for the front too, but probably won't be able to do that right now.

 

[S4TA]

That's what i always thought too, ( preload springs or take away travel of the shock?) that's the way I had it for 10 mths and thought it handled great and the ride was great both on and off the road. Until just lil over a month ago I got a another couple new front 5100's and I thought screw it since I'm installing some new one's lets try it without the spacers since I always wondered how it would compare with ride quality needed to feel it for myself, so I yanked my spacers and cranked up the 5100's and I wouldn't go back. I even sold my spacers cause I was so pleased.
my .02 cents and to each there own.
maybe different springs I would not feel the same ...mmm damn now you have thinking.

Best way I can describe the difference is without spacers and 5100's on top setting is everytime I hit dips, bumps on the gas, it feels like back in the day being in my dads caddy that floaty subtle wavy motion, like yeah were rollin.

And with spacers its not that feeling, but its not bad neither honestly just has edge a very slight ridgidness to the bounce.Even when off roading theres that subtle diference of the two set ups.... hope you can kind get what I'm saying and helps but if your like me you gotta try it for yourself.

So comparing 5100s on highest vs. 2.5" spacer on top, adjusting 5100s felt better. What about a 2.5" spacer between the top of spring and top of strut, similar to the Toytec 2.5" spacer? Wouldn't that be effectively the same as adjusting the 5100s?

 

[t-man]

So comparing 5100s on highest vs. 2.5" spacer on top, adjusting 5100s felt better. What about a 2.5" spacer between the top of spring and top of strut, similar to the Toytec 2.5" spacer? Wouldn't that be effectively the same as adjusting the 5100s?

That's what I was trying to figure out too because using just the shock you're preloading the spring, which seems like it would make it ride harsher but with a spacer you're just moving the shock assembly down and not putting the extra pressure on the spring. It seems like you would get a better ride quality using a spacer because you're not compressing the spring and you have a full range of motion but I could definitely be wrong.

 

[S4TA]

That's what I was trying to figure out too because using just the shock you're preloading the spring, which seems like it would make it ride harsher but with a spacer you're just moving the shock assembly down and not putting the extra pressure on the spring. It seems like you would get a better ride quality using a spacer because you're not compressing the spring and you have a full range of motion but I could definitely be wrong.

I am curious because I have struts from a FJ TRD up front, which are the same as 5100s without the adjust-ability. Daystar install on top of the strut. The Toytec install inside the coil. So I guess my question is 2 part.

1. Preload vs spacer on top. Sounds like preload is better which goes against intuition like so many other things in life.
   
2. Is preload spacer the same as adjusting a 5100?

 

[4Rnr4Evr]

OK this is probably a very noob question... I've done struts on several cars but not on a truck before, so I'm looking at the rear suspension and can't quite grasp why a 2" spacer on top of the spring does not require longer shocks but a 2" longer spring does? There's something I'm missing...

 

[gaara46]

Thinking about this setup:

5100's all the way around with the front at 2.5

Daystar 1.5 in the back

Would that work? Or would the ride suffer? My truck is completely stock right now.

 

[t-man]

Thinking about this setup:

5100's all the way around with the front at 2.5

Daystar 1.5 in the back

Would that work? Or would the ride suffer? My truck is completely stock right now.

That's what I'm running currently. Ride is good. I think the rear is to soft maybe for faster offroad as it bottoms out quickly. Mine are sagging though and I'm going to replace them with some FJ coils. Much better than factory ride going to the bilstein!

 

[gaara46]

That's what I'm running currently. Ride is good. I think the rear is to soft maybe for faster offroad as it bottoms out quickly. Mine are sagging though and I'm going to replace them with some FJ coils. Much better than factory ride going to the bilstein!

Sounds good bro. After how long did you notice sagging? Since i plan to throw everything in at once would it be a good idea to just go ahead and put fj coils in the back to prevent sag from happening?

 

[t-man]

Sounds good bro. After how long did you notice sagging? Since i plan to throw everything in at once would it be a good idea to just go ahead and put fj coils in the back to prevent sag from happening?

I have 200k on original springs. FJ coils have a slightly higher spring rate which firms up the ride slightly and apparently helps offroad too. I hope to have mine in this weekend.
If you tow/haul loads a lot or if you are going to be going offroad a lot then definitely grab FJ coils or even spend the money on some actual lift coils as they will provide a better ride.
For FJ coils, you can get lucky in classifieds or a scrap yard or you can buy new replacement ones from rockauto for less than $50.

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

So comparing 5100s on highest vs. 2.5" spacer on top, adjusting 5100s felt better. What about a 2.5" spacer between the top of spring and top of strut, similar to the Toytec 2.5" spacer? Wouldn't that be effectively the same as adjusting the 5100s?

That is my assumption and how I interpret it..

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

Thinking about this setup:

5100's all the way around with the front at 2.5

Daystar 1.5 in the back

Would that work? Or would the ride suffer? My truck is completely stock right now.

That is the set up I am running at the moment with the addition of FJ TRD coils up front and FJ TRD springs in the rear

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

I am curious because I have struts from a FJ TRD up front, which are the same as 5100s without the adjust-ability. Daystar install on top of the strut. The Toytec install inside the coil. So I guess my question is 2 part.

1. Preload vs spacer on top. Sounds like preload is better which goes against intuition like so many other things in life.
   
2. Is preload spacer the same as adjusting a 5100?

[MENTION=101553]t-man[/MENTION]
These FJ TRD Bilstein Struts? ...along with FJ TRD coils and 2.5" spacer pictured here. I ran this set right for like 10 mths and it handled good and and ride was comfy.

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

[MENTION=101553]t-man[/MENTION]
I don't know if you were able to order your FJ springs yet or not but if you need some springs to save for the suspension set up you really want like myself I have my OEM springs and they are in great condition ..if it helps they are yours if you want them brotha