5100s Ready to GO...Rear Lift Opinions needed!

[FatTiresRollin]

First time starting a new thread...so don't flame me too bad.

My lovely wife atcually bought me something from my 4runner wish list for xmas. I have 4 new Bilstein 5100 shocks burning a hole in my garage! My plan is to set-up the front to the 2.5" setting and get either the superflex coils for the rear or spacers. I know several people on here have run one or the other set-up...or maybe even both, so I am just looking for a ride comparison. Based on my reading I am fairly confident what the general concesus will be. I was lucky to get this set-up OK'd by the boss...so I want to do this once and forget it. I don't want to do the wrong thing and get the old "I told you so...." or "How much money is it going to cost to fix that?" I think I just used my last free pass on the OK to buy a new handgun at the upcoming gun show Saturday.

This is my DD and the family trip vehicle...I do 2-3 camping/mtn biking trips a year where I will seek out some light off roading (i.e. THE COVE). I would love to try the local Potts Mountain Jeep Trail or some GWNF trails once I get a little more clearance.

Oh yeah...if anyone in the Roanoke area can help a brother out with the install it would be greatly appreciated! I am capable of doing the install (I think), just need some helping hands, a flat work area, Jacks, Stands and respectable tools...none of which I have in my 1950s garage.

 

[WhiskeyCop]

Isn't there a rear spacer kit that would give you some lift in the rear? The only problem with that would be that when loaded down you might get some reverse rake with the fronts set so high. I'm sure someone else will chime in with other options.

 

[FatTiresRollin]

Nothing?

 

[proquip]

While I have Icon C/Os and SAW 1.5" rear coils on my TE, I strongly considered doing 5100 all around with the front shocks set to 2.5" of lift and 1.5" daystar spacers in the rear . While the stock front suspension is soft and mushy and really benefits from firmer spring or upgraded shocks and additional preload of the stock springs, the stock rear coils are plenty firm. Going with an aftermarket rear coil will only bump up the spring rate making for an even firmer ride. The 2.5" Bilstein front lift will not only gain you better damping, but you'll also increase the stock spring preload slightly which should firm up the front nicely (5100s provide a combination of preload and non-preload lift to achieve the 2.5" - see link below).

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...soft-want-my-4r-ride-like-gx.html#post1234516

I don't have a part number on the 1.5" rear Daystar spacers but you should be able to find it pretty easily by searching the forum. Good luck!

 

[FatTiresRollin]

thanks for the response proquip.

Can anyone comment on the advantages/disadvantages of using the spacer vs the spring for the lift in the rear? I realize the superflex spring will provide some additional stiffness, but any other advantages/disadvantages besides this?

Does the use of the spacer reduce the suspension travel and/or the spring increase the susension travel enough for me to be concerned with my non-rock crawling DD? Am I going to notice a difference rolling over day-to-day speed bumps and such?

I have a feeling that the consesus will be that the superflex spring is the way to go, I am just trying to find out if I can/should save a little money. We are talking about probably a $140 price difference which is pretty significant to me...that could mean the difference in me being able to install in a few days/weeks vs a few months. I am sure I am overthinking this as I do everything else I do, but if anyone can comment on the ride quality/suspension travel and capability differences of the 2 options, I would love to hear what you have to say.

 

[kip dyno-mite]

Just had 5100s installed in the rear with 1.25" spacers along with Toytec Ultimates/5100s up front. The ride is awesome, and a huge improvement from stock. I had read a few times that the rear springs were firm enough (like Proquip said) to just add a spacer and so far so good. Haven't driven enough to notice any reduction in travel. Hope that helps.

 

[TheOnlyQP]

I'm in the same boat as th OP. I am looking to lift my TE and I'm thinking 5100s all around. The initial goal is to fit 285s. I don't do a ton of offroading- mostly trips to the mountains, beach.
The questions are:
1. Should I replace the front springs? (I think the ride is pretty decent and I live off a moderately crappy dirt road with washboard, potholes, etc)
2. Springs or spacers for the rear- and which ones

 

[FatTiresRollin]

Did some more reading on some old threads and just decided to get the Daystar 1.5\\" rear spacers. For about $42 from Autoplicity.com I couldn't pass it up. I read a lot of posts explaining the springs to be sufficient, so I couldn't justify the added cost of replacing the springs...at least for my purpose/uses right now. I will be sure to post pics and a review when it comes in and the install is complete.

 

[Antman]

Did some more reading on some old threads and just decided to get the Daystar 1.5\\\\\\\\\\\\" rear spacers. For about $42 from Autoplicity.com I couldn't pass it up. I read a lot of posts explaining the springs to be sufficient, so I couldn't justify the added cost of replacing the springs...at least for my purpose/uses right now. I will be sure to post pics and a review when it comes in and the install is complete.

I'm probably getting 5100's soon if things work out. Same situation as you!

Don't you think you will have some reverse rake with the fronts set at 2.5\\" ?

I just want about a 2\\" lift so the 265's don't look too small. With ALL the threads on these you would think there would be some easy info, right? Just makes me more confused...:crazy:

 

[FatTiresRollin]

I'm probably getting 5100's soon if things work out. Same situation as you!

Don't you think you will have some reverse rake with the fronts set at 2.5\\\\" ?

I just want about a 2\\\\" lift so the 265's don't look too small. With ALL the threads on these you would think there would be some easy info, right? Just makes me more confused...:crazy:

I have been searching and reading on here for a couple weeks (well, actually the past year) specifically for Bilstein 5100 lift combos. I managed to find a handful running Bilstein 2.5\\" in the front and 1.5\\" spacers in the rear....as well as 1.75\\" setting in the front with the 1.5\\" spacers. From what I could tell from the write-ups and/or pictures (very few), 1.75\\" setting left a little rake and 2.5\\" setting left the vehicle level.

Seems to be plenty of guys also running various lifts such as 2/1 or 2.5/1.5 from other manufacturers such as Cornfed, etc. Several also running 2.5\\" setting w/ 1.5\\" SAW coils. Found some other scenarios w/ older gen 4runners, FJs, etc. I know every truck may act a little differently, but as long as the Bilstein 2.5\\" setting and 1.5\\" Daystar spacers (Web description in some places has a product description of providing 1.75\\" of lift), are true to the claimed lift height, it should (in theory) give an overall level lift of about 2\\", give or take.

I figure worst case scenario(s) I have to lower the shock setting to 1.75\\" or I bite the bullet on the Superflex coils and I am only out the $42 for the spacers (that I should be able to sell for a small loss).

 

[marlin driver]

I don't know if you are considering larger tires, but the stock size tires look small (diameter) if you lift the rear. There is already a lot of wheel well space at the stock height at the rear. I put 5100s on the front and 1 1/2" spacers on the rear and, after looking at it for a few days, pulled out the rear spacers and dropped it back down.

I suggest you set the front shocks at 1 1/2" or so and put them on without touching the rear suspension. See how you like it and, if you still want it higher, go in with the rear spacers and adjust up the front.

I have 265/70/17 tires on Konig Countersteer X wheels, btw.

Good luck.

 

[bimrunner]

Don't know if the LE is different from the SR5 in factory rake but I put 4 5100s on mine and it took 1.5 to get level without anything more than the 5001 struts in back. I did drop the 20s to 17s and go to 265/70/17 Nittos though. Even with stripping xreas out, I considered it a huge improvement. Looks good with that size tire too IMO.