5100 Questions (I know, some idiot making another 5100 thread)

[ecufishbowl]

Hey T4R team! I've read for hours and hours on the Bilsteins (along with the FJ coil recommendations). I've decided I am going to purchase Bilstein 5100s and put them on my stock coils. I plan to put the front at the .85 setting to raise the front just a tad. (If anyone has pics of this exact setup, please share!). Time for an upgrade as my truck is over 100K miles and I'm seeing some uneven tire wear. I'm going to have a shop install them for me as I'm a complete novice.

Questions:

1. Where is currently the cheapest place to order a full set of 5100s? Amazon Prime has them for $389.94 with free 2 day shipping. That the best I'm going to get?

2. Do I need to get a Mount Kit if I'm using my stock coils? I see on Amazon most people also order the KYB SM5640 - Mount Kit (https://www.amazon.com/KYB-SM5640-M...rd_wg=rqje3&psc=1&refRID=KZFHVASK0TRKMK1VG9YK)

3. Is it necessary to use a spring compressor to take old shock out and put new 5100s in the stock springs? I've seen mention of a "no spring compressor" method, does anyone have a link to details on that?


Thanks for all the help, I promise I've done my research, sometimes its just hard to find a precise answer.

 

[riceandpho]

get new springs since you are over 100k. its not really much more since everything will be out during install.

check with the vendors on the forum, i had great sucess with totalautomotiveperformance. some say wheelers offroad is better.


no need for mount kit, unless its worn out. but its only like 50 to 60 to add on just in case you need to change it. if not return it right?

you can do the full suspension swap without the use of spring compressor. toyota120 has good write up.

 

[Fern]

I'd replace the front springs with FJ springs.

 

[ecufishbowl]

I'd replace the front springs with FJ springs.

Can I ask why? Other than lift? I really don’t want more lift. I’m trying to get closer to stock than I am with my Daystar 2.5/1.5. How come all the mechanics I’ve talked to have said I wouldn’t need new springs with new shocks and that they “outlast the life of the vehicle”?

 

[ecufishbowl]

I'd replace the front springs with FJ springs.

Better yet, what effects would I feel if I put new FJ springs up front and left my rear springs stock? Someone has offered me FJ springs (said the tears are AC Delco?) for $50 for all 4.

 

[Sharkseed]

Better yet, what effects would I feel if I put new FJ springs up front and left my rear springs stock? Someone has offered me FJ springs (said the tears are AC Delco?) for $50 for all 4.

I just installed 5100’s at the 1.75” setting and FJ coils all around on my 4runner this last weekend. I watched the following video for the no compressor method and it worked fine! I bought spring compressors just in case but ended up returning them since I didn’t even open the box


https://youtu.be/5E6u7dC7EHg

 

[Sharkseed]

I bought the Bilstein shocks on this website for $365

Total Automotive Performance - Your Source for Auto Parts and Accessories - Homepage

 

[Sharkseed]

Bilstein 5100 Series Set | 4th Gen 4Runner | FJ Cruiser

$360

 

[haro]

You have to replace the strut mounts
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3983946&cc=1418239&jsn=10431

 

[Fern]

Better yet, what effects would I feel if I put new FJ springs up front and left my rear springs stock? Someone has offered me FJ springs (said the tears are AC Delco?) for $50 for all 4.

I did the swap and it firmed up the front end nicely and gave it a bit of lift. I'd buy them for sure for 50 bucks.

 

[Fern]

And don't forget to low ball him at $30.

 

[1020th]

Hello. 2008 V8 here with 100k miles. I just installed the 5100's with the stock springs. With the fronts set to 1.75" the front end was just barely higher than the rear. For camping and cargo purposes I chose to install a rear 1.5" spacer for a boost.

Here is the truck before the rear 1.5" spacer. (Front set to 1.75")

 

[riceandpho]

Hello. 2008 V8 here with 100k miles. I just installed the 5100's with the stock springs. With the fronts set to 1.75" the front end was just barely higher than the rear. For camping and cargo purposes I chose to install a rear 1.5" spacer for a boost.

Here is the truck before the rear 1.5" spacer. (Front set to 1.75")

i still do new springs, springs sag due to age and weight. its only a little bit more to add to the budget while all suspension components is out.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Hey T4R team! I've read for hours and hours on the Bilsteins (along with the FJ coil recommendations). I've decided I am going to purchase Bilstein 5100s and put them on my stock coils. I plan to put the front at the .85 setting to raise the front just a tad. (If anyone has pics of this exact setup, please share!). Time for an upgrade as my truck is over 100K miles and I'm seeing some uneven tire wear. I'm going to have a shop install them for me as I'm a complete novice.

Questions:

1. Where is currently the cheapest place to order a full set of 5100s? Amazon Prime has them for $389.94 with free 2 day shipping. That the best I'm going to get?

2. Do I need to get a Mount Kit if I'm using my stock coils? I see on Amazon most people also order the KYB SM5640 - Mount Kit (https://www.amazon.com/KYB-SM5640-M...rd_wg=rqje3&psc=1&refRID=KZFHVASK0TRKMK1VG9YK)

3. Is it necessary to use a spring compressor to take old shock out and put new 5100s in the stock springs? I've seen mention of a "no spring compressor" method, does anyone have a link to details on that?


Thanks for all the help, I promise I've done my research, sometimes its just hard to find a precise answer.

Wheelers Offroad.
https://wheelersoffroad.com/c-1388362-03-09-4runner-suspension-coilovers-shocks-bilstein.html

 

[metramm]

Hey T4R team! I've read for hours and hours on the Bilsteins (along with the FJ coil recommendations). I've decided I am going to purchase Bilstein 5100s and put them on my stock coils. I plan to put the front at the .85 setting to raise the front just a tad. (If anyone has pics of this exact setup, please share!). Time for an upgrade as my truck is over 100K miles and I'm seeing some uneven tire wear. I'm going to have a shop install them for me as I'm a complete novice.

Questions:

1. Where is currently the cheapest place to order a full set of 5100s? Amazon Prime has them for $389.94 with free 2 day shipping. That the best I'm going to get?

2. Do I need to get a Mount Kit if I'm using my stock coils? I see on Amazon most people also order the KYB SM5640 - Mount Kit (https://www.amazon.com/KYB-SM5640-M...rd_wg=rqje3&psc=1&refRID=KZFHVASK0TRKMK1VG9YK)

3. Is it necessary to use a spring compressor to take old shock out and put new 5100s in the stock springs? I've seen mention of a "no spring compressor" method, does anyone have a link to details on that?


Thanks for all the help, I promise I've done my research, sometimes its just hard to find a precise answer.

I put 5100's on my 2006 Limited v6 with stock V8 coils I purchased used from a forum member here. They had about 100k on them at time of purchase.

5100's were set at .85.

It gave me a nice lift in front. Not too crazy but enough for me.

 

[Jeremy107]

V6 or v8 will depend what kinda of lift you are getting out of the FJ coils, I just ordered all new FJ springs, 5100s.

Plan: 1.75 setting for the front and FJ sorings all the way around will give me and nice .5” rake or so with a very mild lift.

.5” lift in the rear
1.75” 5100s and 5” with FJ coils

 

[Hitech R3dneck]

V6 or v8 will depend what kinda of lift you are getting out of the FJ coils, I just ordered all new FJ springs, 5100s.

Plan: 1.75 setting for the front and FJ sorings all the way around will give me and nice .5” rake or so with a very mild lift.

.5” lift in the rear
1.75” 5100s and 5” with FJ coils

Where did you order your springs and 5100s from if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Jeremy107]

Where did you order your springs and 5100s from if you don't mind me asking?

FJ springs on partsgeek. 170$ shipped for all 4
5100s on wheelersoffroad ive used them several times and those guys are great

 

[RPC]

FJ springs on partsgeek. 170$ shipped for all 4
5100s on wheelersoffroad ive used them several times and those guys are great

I literally placed the same orders today- 5100s from Wheelers and FJ springs from PartsGeek (thanks for the recommendation). Someone else here suggested new top hats from RockAuto so those are incoming too.

Put FJ springs and front Daystar spacers on my 2008 V8 about 80K miles ago but my shocks need replacing so I’m going to swap in the 5100s and replace the springs while I’m at it.

If anyone wants to pay shipping on the FJ springs and spacers I’ll be pulling out, they’re yours. I’ve put 80K mi on them and the FJ owner I got the springs from only put 4K on them before coming to me.

 

[Jeremy107]

I literally placed the same orders today- 5100s from Wheelers and FJ springs from PartsGeek (thanks for the recommendation). Someone else here suggested new top hats from RockAuto so those are incoming too.

Put FJ springs and front Daystar spacers on my 2008 V8 about 80K miles ago but my shocks need replacing so I’m going to swap in the 5100s and replace the springs while I’m at it.

If anyone wants to pay shipping on the FJ springs and spacers I’ll be pulling out, they’re yours. I’ve put 80K mi on them and the FJ owner I got the springs from only put 4K on them before coming to me.

Nice! Let me know how yours turns out, I more than likely won’t be able to compete the lift for two weeks due to some other stuff I have going on. My 4th gen has zero rust on it and all the suspension is in great shape so I’m good on the top hats.