Another Bilstein 5100 question

[Ryan at Eibach]

Question for anyone here who put on 5100's. Did any of you experience any weird sound from one of them in the front? In certain turns and always the same turns, I sometimes hear what almost sounds like a metallic rubbing. To me it sounds like something rubbing against a metal shroud/cover to something. I plan on having the wheels off next week anyway and will be taking a look. Just thought I'd ask and see if anyone has experienced this and what it turned out to be causing it.

Thanks.

Make sure the spring completely seated correct.

 

[CCP_87]

Bilstein 5100 all the way around Cornfed 3/4 spacer in rear.

Is your runner leveled with the 3/4” rear and 1.75” up front or does it have a slight rake? I’m thinking of going with the same set up 1.75” front and cornfed 3/4” instead of 1” for the rears.

 

[MN_4Runner]

I'm a recent owner of a 2017 SR5 Premium and I love my new truck and this is also my first post...

One thing I have noticed is the nose dove and body roll. I have researched the forum and Bilstein 5100 shocks seem to be pretty popular solving at least part of this characteristic. The other option a dealer recommended is the TRD Pro suspension kit. In my case I wont be doing to much off roading; mostly city driving and a few long trips.

I did read alot of posts about a slight lift in the front to reduce the "rake" with upgrading the suspension. Can either of the 5100's or TRD Pro suspension kits be installed without (or very small) lifting? Maybe this is a dumb question but does lifting improve the performance of the vehicle all at? Or is it just for looks? Again, sorry to ask but I'm just more curious. I removed my running boards because I'm 6'4" with size 14 feet and they just got in my way when I stepped over them. With more lift I might have to put them back on??

Here's a picture of my "new to me" 2017 SRS Premium with 17k miles I flew to Nebraska to get from Minneapolis.

 

[msp]

I'm a recent owner of a 2017 SR5 Premium and I love my new truck and this is also my first post...

One thing I have noticed is the nose dove and body roll. I have researched the forum and Bilstein 5100 shocks seem to be pretty popular solving at least part of this characteristic. The other option a dealer recommended is the TRD Pro suspension kit. In my case I wont be doing to much off roading; mostly city driving and a few long trips.

I did read alot of posts about a slight lift in the front to reduce the "rake" with upgrading the suspension. Can either of the 5100's or TRD Pro suspension kits be installed without (or very small) lifting? Maybe this is a dumb question but does lifting improve the performance of the vehicle all at? Or is it just for looks? Again, sorry to ask but I'm just more curious. I removed my running boards because I'm 6'4" with size 14 feet and they just got in my way when I stepped over them. With more lift I might have to put them back on??

Here's a picture of my "new to me" 2017 SRS Premium with 17k miles I flew to Nebraska to get from Minneapolis.

Welcome. I'll be looking for you on the streets of the Twin Cities. The front 5100s can be adjusted for lift. Something like .85", 1.5", 2.25"...something like that. The rears aren't adjustable. The TRD Pro suspension is not adjustable. I'd just run it stock for the spring and summer and see how you like it.

You won't need to reinstall the running boards with a small lift.

Again, welcome!

 

[toyo808]

better off with 5100 and spacer in the back corn feed or daystar to help with the level look. I'm running mine at 2.5 lift and its good for DD. Also you can adjust as you see fit with the 5100. IMO in the long run its a better buy and a nice ride.

 

[RI.Runner18]

After finding that I have a blown shock on my 2011 Limited I figured I would swap that X-REAS suspension out for the 5100s instead of fixing it. I Purchased 5100s front and rear, JBA UCAs, OME 884s the front and the Bilstein B12 rear coils. Anyone have a similar setup or any take on this one? It's for a DD with some light off road usage.

 

[Decipher]

I'm a recent owner of a 2017 SR5 Premium and I love my new truck and this is also my first post...



One thing I have noticed is the nose dove and body roll. I have researched the forum and Bilstein 5100 shocks seem to be pretty popular solving at least part of this characteristic. The other option a dealer recommended is the TRD Pro suspension kit. In my case I wont be doing to much off roading; mostly city driving and a few long trips.



I did read alot of posts about a slight lift in the front to reduce the "rake" with upgrading the suspension. Can either of the 5100's or TRD Pro suspension kits be installed without (or very small) lifting? Maybe this is a dumb question but does lifting improve the performance of the vehicle all at? Or is it just for looks? Again, sorry to ask but I'm just more curious. I removed my running boards because I'm 6'4" with size 14 feet and they just got in my way when I stepped over them. With more lift I might have to put them back on??



Here's a picture of my "new to me" 2017 SRS Premium with 17k miles I flew to Nebraska to get from Minneapolis.

The Bilsteins are going to be the right choice for you, it sounds. They will give you exactly what you’re looking for. If you don’t want any lift, you can keep them set at zero and you’ll have the stock ride height but better ride. If you want to level out the front end, which is what I originally did before going all the way up, the .85 setting will give you a noticeable nose lift but won’t look jacked up. You won’t have to do anything in the rear to enjoy this look and it’s what I recommend for anyone who wants some improvement in appearance and ride quality. There are threads dedicated to this exact look if you want to see pics.

From there, you could go higher with the 1.75 and add a 1” spacer in the rear or all the way up to 2.5” lift front, 1.5” spacer in the rear (where I sit now).

Congrats on the new ride. Oh and you won’t need the running boards unless you want them.


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[MN_4Runner]

The Bilsteins are going to be the right choice for you, it sounds. They will give you exactly what you’re looking for. If you don’t want any lift, you can keep them set at zero and you’ll have the stock ride height but better ride. If you want to level out the front end, which is what I originally did before going all the way up, the .85 setting will give you a noticeable nose lift but won’t look jacked up. You won’t have to do anything in the rear to enjoy this look and it’s what I recommend for anyone who wants some improvement in appearance and ride quality. There are threads dedicated to this exact look if you want to see pics.

From there, you could go higher with the 1.75 and add a 1” spacer in the rear or all the way up to 2.5” lift front, 1.5” spacer in the rear (where I sit now).

Congrats on the new ride. Oh and you won’t need the running boards unless you want them.


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Decipher, Thanks for the reply. I actually read (or at least scanned) this entire 64 page thread. I see most people are going with the 5100's and either a .85", 1.75", or 2.5" lift in the front plus some different springs and/or spacers.

Can I ask does .85" (1st or 2nd notch on front shock) mean the front end is lifted up .85". Is it just that simple math or is the shock also bigger than my stock ones? Also, I remember reading a post (page 32 I think) on this thread where someone used the .85" front shock setting and had something like 1.25" lift in the driver side door?? If the rears aren't lifted wouldn't it be less than .85"?? Do you remember what lift you had on yours with the .85" setting on the drivers door? Was it even noticeable when you stepped in?

I would like to get a more level look but the number 1 priority for me is to reduce the squishiness, body roll, and play in the steering. I'm sure I can't eliminate it all but just reduce it. In my opinion, it's a safety issue because it's not as responsive as I think it should be.

When you used the .85" lift in the front with the 5100's did you notice an improvement in ride quality over what I described above?

As a note - I have a 2017 SR5 Premium with the stock tires.

Thanks

 

[Decipher]

I never measured out my lift but it was noticeable and a drastic improvement over stock. I’ll dig up some pics of it along with some pics next to a stock Runner so you can see the difference. If you don’t want lift but want it to look a little more proper, this is 100% the way to go.

As for the ride characteristics you’re in pursuit of, the 5100s did all of the for me even with stock coils. I still love them to this day. They’re amazing and I Off road about once a week for fun, so they have been put through their paces.


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[mwebster22]

I just did my 2012 limited with Bilstein 5100’s replacing the XREAS. Set front to 0.85”, second clip position. Didn’t measure but it’s supposed to raise 0.85”. Looks much better bringing the front up, but is still lower than the rear, perfect.

And I’m also running them on my two 2006 4Runners, and my F150...

 

[MN_4Runner]

I just did my 2012 limited with Bilstein 5100’s replacing the XREAS. Set front to 0.85”, second clip position. Didn’t measure but it’s supposed to raise 0.85”. Looks much better bringing the front up, but is still lower than the rear, perfect.

And I’m also running them on my two 2006 4Runners, and my F150...

MWebster, If the front was raised .85. How much was the drivers side raised where you step into the vehicle??

 

[mwebster22]

Didn’t measure

 

[sport2004]

I just did my 2012 limited with Bilstein 5100’s replacing the XREAS. Set front to 0.85”, second clip position. Didn’t measure but it’s supposed to raise 0.85”. Looks much better bringing the front up, but is still lower than the rear, perfect.

And I’m also running them on my two 2006 4Runners, and my F150...

That does sound perfect. What rear springs are you running?

First, I was under the impression that the first setting was .85, not the second.

Reason I ask is my X-REAS just tanked, and I want to essentially preserve the rake, put the front 5100's on the lowest setting, then get a set of springs for the rear that don't lift too much. I realize these may be hard to find (everybody here likes to level the rake, and have 2 or more inches of overall lift).

This being the case, I would be willing to go higher in front, to match the height caused by the rear springs, so that the rake isn't actually increased.

Interested in any input, thank you...

 

[mwebster22]

I didn’t replace any springs, kept all stock. On the 06 4WD, I did the max lift setting up front (something like a 2.25” lift), and added a 3/4” poly spacer for the rear and it looks perfect. On both the 06 and 12 2WD’s I used the second clip position for the ~0.85” lift up front, with stock for the rear. The first clip position would be used for no lift/stock look setting.

The first image below is the 4WD (no sunroof), the second is the 2WD (sunroof).

 

[sport2004]

I didn’t replace any springs, kept all stock. On the 06 4WD, I did the max lift setting up front (something like a 2.25” lift), and added a 3/4” poly spacer for the rear and it looks perfect. On both the 06 and 12 2WD’s I used the second clip position for the ~0.85” lift up front, with stock for the rear. The first clip position would be used for no lift/stock look setting.

The first image below is the 4WD (no sunroof), the second is the 2WD (sunroof).

great looking Runners

 

[MN_4Runner]

Nice looking 4Runner. If you had to guess how much lift you got on the drivers with just the .85 in front what would it be?? The reason I'm asking is I don't want too much so I can't step into mine anymore.

 

[mwebster22]

Nice looking 4Runner. If you had to guess how much lift you got on the drivers with just the .85 in front what would it be?? The reason I'm asking is I don't want too much so I can't step into mine anymore.

.85 at front wheel, 0 at rear wheel, .425 between?

 

[Lambinator]

That looks Great! I want to do the same to my 2011 Limited. I have the stock 20" wheels (I like them) with 275/55/20. Do you know of anyone with that set up?

 

[Lambinator]

Yep. 1.75 front with 1 inch rear spacers gives it a nice stance (lessens the factory rake), but doesn't really affect DD (that I've noticed anyhow).

Do you have any wheel spacers on this or aftermarket offset wheels? I love this look!

 

[Lambinator]

Heres another bilstein set up front 1.75, rear bilsteins with 1"cornfed spacers. Lift vs. Stock in the second pic.

Looks Great! What year is this? It looks identical to my 2011 Limited with 20" stock wheels. Mine is not lifted, but since the xreas on my is shot, I'm going with what you have. Thanks for the photos!