After 5100 install

T

tnark

New member
I just installed my bilstiens on my 2003 limited with 101K on the original xreas system. I heard that a alignment is in order if you set the height different from stock, I put mine on the 3rd setting. Front is slightly higher until my daystar 1.5" coil spacers come on Friday. Regarding the alignment, my runner feels just fine at the moment. No pulling to 1 side, no vibration at speed on freeway, is that normal?

I'm still planning to have alignment checked and adjusted. I'm going to install the rear coil spacers first, cause it was stated on the website I purchased them from that it is needed after install. Funny thing about the spacers, my local 4x4 shop could only get 2" at $120 and said daystar doesn't make 1.5" for a 2003 4runner. but then I found these on 3 different sites.

Daystar KT09127BK Comfort Ride 1.5" Rear Coil Spring Spacer Kit

For $50, I purchased from amazon cause I get free 2nd day shipping. The Daystar website list this for a 07-11 FJ, but the websites listed these for a 2003 4runner, even had a dropdown box to select your vehicle. I found that interesting and hope they actually do fit. I'll find out on Friday.
 
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would be interested in seeing the stance after the Daystar install. I've been going back and forth on what setting to put my 5100's. I purchased some used FJC coils off the forum and I'm just waiting on my billie's to show. I'm leaning towards the .85" setting but the 1.75" setting with a Daystar rear spacer is intriguing to me...post some pics!
 
If you are doing 5100's with stock springs and plan on the 1.5" rear spacer, I'd set the fronts at the top notch. You lifted the front 1.75", will lift the rear 1.5", so you only get rid of .25" of the rake. At least on mine, there was about 2" of rake. The 2.5"/1.5" is a common setup, looks pretty good. I'd install the rear spacer and consider that before doing the alignment.
 
I'm in agreement with Borgzman, I would strongly suggest the alignment.

After I completed the install of the Bilsteins and FJC Coils (no spacers), I recall that the alignment took much longer than normal to complete. Obviously, a more challenging effort than the routine check up that I've done in the past. I had it done the same day. Well worth the peace of mind for $70.00.
 
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I'm just waiting for the spacers to come tomorrow. I'll snap a pic tomorrow with the front set at the 1.75" setting(3rd position) before installing rear spacers and of course a pic after. I'm installing the airlift 1000's when i do the spacer.

Yeah I'm doing the alignment, just waiting to finish up the rear install. In regards to the alignment do the mechanics need any info from me? or do they know how to adjust for the new shock and lift set-up? I'm afraid they'll just set it to factory spec for my vehicle.
 
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I'm also looking forward to pics... I have a set of 5100s, FJ springs, and the 1.5" Daystar rear spacer waiting to be installed. I was thinking I'd use the 1.75" setting, but maybe I'll use the highest setting instead.
 
A few pics

Okay here's a few. I'm not very good at the photography stuff, but you can see the front is a little higher than the rear. This is with the 5100's installed with stock springs and set at the 1.75"(3rd position) on the shock. I think the 1.5" spacers with settle it out nicely.
 

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Looks nice!

I'm just amazed at the variables that come into play when estimating how the 5100's set up would look, as far as which notch we use and whether it's with FJ springs or not. It just strikes me as being very inconsistent and rather unpredictable.

I have mine set on 1.75", with almost brand new FJ 4x4 springs (900 miles), which by themselves is supposed to provide even a bit more lift. But look what I had when it was done - no way I was going to put a spacer on the rear! I remember some of you were suspecting that I was going to get a "bro-lift" when I said I was going to use the 1.75" setting :)

And the funny thing is the brush guard is very light weight actually and V8 can't be that much heavier than the V6! See pictures below.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/88706-bilstein-5100s-fj-springs-allpro-spacers-done.html
 
Also, I agree with what others said about alignment. Mine didn't seem to be off either after the installation - at least I didn't feel any when I was driving. But since I had new boots on, I went ahead and had it aligned anyways. I don't consider that $59 a waste.
 
Looks good!
Even more when you raise the rear a bit.

tnark, sorry if I ask u this Q:
Why will you use spacers in the rear when you avoid it in front? The Rear components dictates the ride comfort, spacers will make it stiffer. Also you have bilstein 5100s all around, the rear 5100 shocks is compatible with taller coils. Theres OME coil can lift the rear 1.5" or Toytec..or FJ springs...only you'll spend a few additional compare to the cost of spacers...but you're already in that budget range when you replaced all the shocks.

Again, your planned setup will really look good and will be much improvement than the previous stock x-reas.:)
 
TnarK is yours a V6 or V8? Can you also take some measurements for us pre and post the 1.5 rear spacer?

I used FJ springs + 5100s all the way around set at .85 (2nd notch) on a 2003 V8 4x4. I ended up with about 1/2" more lift in the rear than I expected (1 full inch of lift). So with my .85 setting I got a total of 1.5" FRONT and 1" rear lift and I'm still at 1.5" rake (2" stock). I'd like to be between 1/2"-1" so I'm still debating on going up 1 notch in the front.

On paper......my measurements are 35.5 FRONT and 37 REAR. If I go up 1 notch in the front it should add 1" and give me 36.5 FRONT and 37 REAR. Sounds about right.

I can barely tell you have the "bro lean" or reverse rake. Can't be that much. I'm thinking I can go up 1 notch up front and get by without adding a rear spacer but im not sure.

Most of these swaps are difficult to compare because the majority of people I've seen doing the swap are 2wd or v6. The v8 is a little heavier up front and we get less lift.
 
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I think you guys helped me make my decision on what setting I'm going to use. I already have my FJ coils and the billies are going to be here in a week. I have a 2005 V8 SR5 and after seeing your pics along with the others Odin, I'm leaning towards the 1.75" setting to level it out. I'll probably get a little lift from the FJ coils so it should look good. Thanks for sharing your pics and insight.
Cheers
 
I started out "stock" at 2 inches of rake. After reading tons of threads and ARK_SWAMP's thread on 5100 results I planned on my 2003 v8 4x4 getting about 1/2" on all 4 corners from the FJ springs.

I ended up getting the 1/2" in FRONT but somehow I got a full 1" in REAR. This sort of skewed my results with my 5100s because I did not raise the vehicle evenly with the springs. So my .85 setting didn't reduce as much rake as it would have with my stock springs.

By using the .85 setting I got another 1" FRONT exactly like the instructions advertised. So combining the springs+shocks I got 1.5" FRONT and 1" REAR.

On paper I calculated only 1/2" lift in the rear to reduce my factory 2" rake down to 1" which is exactly what I wanted. This is the same as the 2/1 and the 3/2 spacer lifts.

Luckily with my adjustible shocks I have a little expandability. I can go up 1" more in the FRONT and put me at 1/2" rake total. I'm just not sure if that would be too much.
 
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borgzman said:
Looks good!
Even more when you raise the rear a bit.

tnark, sorry if I ask u this Q:
Why will you use spacers in the rear when you avoid it in front? The Rear components dictates the ride comfort, spacers will make it stiffer. Also you have bilstein 5100s all around, the rear 5100 shocks is compatible with taller coils. Theres OME coil can lift the rear 1.5" or Toytec..or FJ springs...only you'll spend a few additional compare to the cost of spacers...but you're already in that budget range when you replaced all the shocks.

Again, your planned setup will really look good and will be much improvement than the previous stock x-reas.:)
Click to expand...

I went with the Daystar spacers cause I'm cheap, bought them shipped for $50. I keep looking for cheap FJ springs but was having no luck. As for being stiffer, not sure I'm feeling that cause I feel like my runner rides smoother now than with the stock xreas on the highway. Going off road was a major improvement with the 5100's. I hit a short section of dirt that has a fair bit of large rainruts and some uneven terrain at about 25-30 mph and felt like I was just floating. My buddy who was in the car thought his head was going to hit the roof liner a few times, but was impressed by how smooth it was.
 
Sonicpilz said:
TnarK is yours a V6 or V8? Can you also take some measurements for us pre and post the 1.5 rear spacer?

I used FJ springs + 5100s all the way around set at .85 (2nd notch) on a 2003 V8 4x4. I ended up with about 1/2" more lift in the rear than I expected (1 full inch of lift). So with my .85 setting I got a total of 1.5" FRONT and 1" rear lift and I'm still at 1.5" rake (2" stock). I'd like to be between 1/2"-1" so I'm still debating on going up 1 notch in the front.

On paper......my measurements are 35.5 FRONT and 37 REAR. If I go up 1 notch in the front it should add 1" and give me 36.5 FRONT and 37 REAR. Sounds about right.

I can barely tell you have the "bro lean" or reverse rake. Can't be that much. I'm thinking I can go up 1 notch up front and get by without adding a rear spacer but im not sure.

Most of these swaps are difficult to compare because the majority of people I've seen doing the swap are 2wd or v6. The v8 is a little heavier up front and we get less lift.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I neglected to get measurement before the install. I was in a hurry to get this done before leaving for vacation with my runner loaded down with about 400lbs of gear plus 4 people. Currently with the 5100's stock springs all around and a Daystar 1.5" coil spacer here's my measurements. My runner is a limited V8 model

Front - 35.5"
Reaer - 37"

Here's a pic as she sits now.
 

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