Ball Joint Failure, Bilstein 5100 Help Needed

[TOPSECRETTUNDRA]

I need some help from the experts. My truck has unknown lift springs with Rancho shocks for about a 2-2.5 lift up front. I had an upper ball joint failure the other day and royally messed up my 3rd Gen. I have 5100s for the front I was about to install but now I’m 2nd guessing the setup. Here’s my question for you experts.

Is the 2.5” lift setting on the 5100 meant to be used with aftermarket lift springs or the OEM spring? The body shop is installing the 5100s for me but I don’t want to set them up for failure. Thanks in advance!

-Ryan

 

[TOPSECRETTUNDRA]

Here’s the carnage. I was going around 35 when it let loose.

 

[Yoter]

How many clip setting positions do the shocks have?
If they have 3 Clip setting positions you can run original springs on any setting and aftermarket (lift springs) on the first/lowest setting
If they have 5 Clip setting positions than you can run the original spring on the 3 and up spring setting depending on how much lift you want and the after market lift springs on the first/lowest position

 

[TOPSECRETTUNDRA]

How many clip setting positions do the shocks have?
If they have 3 Clip setting positions you can run original springs on any setting and aftermarket (lift springs) on the first/lowest setting
If they have 5 Clip setting positions than you can run the original spring on the 3 and up spring setting depending on how much lift you want and the after market lift springs on the first/lowest position

I saw that you are running 35's Do you have a body lift? Also are you running wheel spacers up front?

Thanks for the reply. I may have confused you, I was going 35mph. I just have 265/75, no BL or spacer on 16x8 0 offset.

These have 4 settings so maybe setting 1 or 2 with my lift springs?

 

[Ricktuk]

How old are the Ball joints and what brand? I put billestines on mine yesterday. for about a 2 to 2.5 lift. nothing there that would put any siginificant stress o a lower ball joint. once you get to 3 inches a differential drop is needed for the CV joints if it is 4wd, I am seriously considering putting on new LBJ just because it is time. 250k and the previous owner had it for 10yrs and couldnt remember if she had changed them. LBJ failure is a problem for these vehicles, It doesnt sound like anything you did.

 

[Yoter]

I meant 4 setting not 3, its been a while since I installed these.
You can use either spring, but I would install the lift spring on the lowest setting. Or you can use the original springs I think they will give 0-2.5 inches of lift depending on which setting you put them on

 

[TOPSECRETTUNDRA]

How old are the Ball joints and what brand? I put billestines on mine yesterday. for about a 2 to 2.5 lift. nothing there that would put any siginificant stress o a lower ball joint. once you get to 3 inches a differential drop is needed for the CV joints if it is 4wd, I am seriously considering putting on new LBJ just because it is time. 250k and the previous owner had it for 10yrs and couldnt remember if she had changed them. LBJ failure is a problem for these vehicles, It doesnt sound like anything you did.

This one has 150,000 miles and I don’t know if they were ever changed because it’s new to me. All my other 4Runners I’ve replaced them with OEM parts before they gave me trouble but I didn’t get to these in time.