Bilstein 5100 + 112-620 Eibach springs = 3.5" lift?

[Junkwhale]

Just had a set of 112-620 eibach/toytec springs installed on the lowest circlip perch on bilstein 5100's in the front of my 96 jdm Hilux Surf and it resulted in a 90mm (approx 3.5") height increase over where it started (OEM springs).

I usually do most work on my cars myself but didn't have the time or anywhere to do at the moment (new apartment without space) so got my mechanic to do it. So I haven't seen the details of the install or checked the spring perches are the right way up. The height seems like a bit much too me though (and more than I was expecting) and has me a bit concerned about cv angles etc.

Note pics don't have rear lift installed yet (going with OME 890's).

Anyone else had a similar experience with the eibach springs?

 

[thezentree]

Yes. I had the Toytec Eibach shock/spring set and got like 3.5" or 3.75" of lift. I ended up selling them and buying Boss coilovers with 550lb springs. If you had a bumper and a winch I think those springs would probably be perfect, but for a stock 4Runner they're too much.

 

[Charlene]

I ran Tundra 5100’s with the eibech coils on the first perch (lowest perch) and it only netted me about ~2.5” of lift. So I would say that your mechanic probably set the ring to the middle if not the highest perch. You might be able to tell if you crawl under there and see if you can see what perch you’re set at. This was also a stock front bumper for me

 

[Bijan]

Post a couple photos of the coil / shock.... seems like you may have the spring perch on upside down.

 

[phattyduck]

A center-of-hub to fender lip measurement will help too.

-Charlie

 

[Junkwhale]

Yes. I had the Toytec Eibach shock/spring set and got like 3.5" or 3.75" of lift. I ended up selling them and buying Boss coilovers with 550lb springs. If you had a bumper and a winch I think those springs would probably be perfect, but for a stock 4Runner they're too much.

Interesting, I haven't seen any other reports of over 3" except where the perches were upside down, hence the question here. Did you check yours?

I will be getting a bumper so I guess I could wait and see how it is with that.

 

[Junkwhale]

Post a couple photos of the coil / shock.... seems like you may have the spring perch on upside down.

Thanks, yeah this was my first thought that maybe he's got the perches upside down. Car is still at the mechanics so will check as soon as I get there.

I've seen reports of 4-4.5" tho when the perches are upside down, so not sure if that is the problem.

 

[Junkwhale]

I ran Tundra 5100’s with the eibech coils on the first perch (lowest perch) and it only netted me about ~2.5” of lift. So I would say that your mechanic probably set the ring to the middle if not the highest perch. You might be able to tell if you crawl under there and see if you can see what perch you’re set at. This was also a stock front bumper for me

He emailed me to check what circlip location to put them on before he installed them and I told him the bottom one so I don't think this is the issue.

 

[thezentree]

Interesting, I haven't seen any other reports of over 3" except where the perches were upside down, hence the question here. Did you check yours?

I will be getting a bumper so I guess I could wait and see how it is with that.

Mine were not assembled incorrectly - I bought them from Toytec already assembled and verified that they were correct. I don’t know why I had so much lift if other people aren’t having that problem. I still think 620lb is so stiff for a stock 4Runner since the 550lb springs I have now ride SO much better.

I no longer have them to measure but the only thing I can figure if 3.5”+ lift is not normal with these springs is that the spring seat C-ring groove was not in the correct location, which could have the same effect as putting the spring seat in too high a groove.

I will say that having worked in the automotive suspension industry for a couple of years, a shock tube with a slightly out of spec spring seat groove making it out of Eibach’s plant is not impossible. If Toytec isn’t using sophisticated, high-volume production QC equipment (and I wouldn’t expect them to) then it would be totally possible for the shock and spring to go together fairly normally and Toytec wouldn’t have been able to detect it.

For the record, Toytec was great to deal with and I want to say that if the above is true, it is in no way Toytec’s fault.

 

[Junkwhale]

I no longer have them to measure but the only thing I can figure if 3.5”+ lift is not normal with these springs is that the spring seat C-ring groove was not in the correct location, which could have the same effect as putting the spring seat in too high a groove.

I will say that having worked in the automotive suspension industry for a couple of years, a shock tube with a slightly out of spec spring seat groove making it out of Eibach’s plant is not impossible. If Toytec isn’t using sophisticated, high-volume production QC equipment (and I wouldn’t expect them to) then it would be totally possible for the shock and spring to go together fairly normally and Toytec wouldn’t have been able to detect it.

For the record, Toytec was great to deal with and I want to say that if the above is true, it is in no way Toytec’s fault.

That's a good point - and potential solution if it turns out mine just are sitting at that height with everything assembled correctly.

I've machined grooves lower than the OEM position on bilsteins shocks before (on a miata for coilover sleeves) with no issues, so could always decide how much lower I want then multiply by the motion ratio and put a groove that much lower on the shocks.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

what engine does your surf have? it looks like a pre-1998 model. doesn't have a hood scoop, so most probably a gasoline engine version. is that a VZN185W or a RZN185W?

what 5100 shocks did you install? the shock part number is stamped on the lower part of the shock body.

don't wait until you get a bumper. if the perches were installed improperly, then it is a safety issue. go have your truck on a lift and check it out yourself.

 

[Junkwhale]

what engine does your surf have? it looks like a pre-1998 model. doesn't have a hood scoop, so most probably a gasoline engine version. is that a VZN185W or a RZN185W?

what 5100 shocks did you install? the shock part number is stamped on the lower part of the shock body.

don't wait until you get a bumper. if the perches were installed improperly, then it is a safety issue. go have your truck on a lift and check it out yourself.

Yep it's a VZN185, i.e the V6.

The 5100s are the new 4runner specific ones - fronts are 24-248730.

Yes will definitely be having a close look at it...when I actually can as I'm away for another week or so (hence getting to see stuff via email from the mechanic too). Made a thread in the absence of being able to actually go sort it out/investigate properly yet!

 

[Junkwhale]

Update on this- got truck back, perches weren't upside down.

After just the short drive home the CVs are throwing grease everywhere at this height so I don't think keeping it at this height is a good idea. I'm not sure what the plan is from here- I guess I need some different springs.

 

[Junkwhale]

Pic of CV and grease going everywhere.

 

[Lindenwood]

I have 620s on my rig, with 180lbs extra over stock up front (bunper, winch, hi lift on the hood). Still, I think they are probably too stout for almost any setup.

I'm sorry you got stuck with them on a near-stock rig. Before I added all the front weight, my wife once asked me, after a series of stout bumps, "wait, do you still have like...shocks or whatever in your truck??"

 

[Junkwhale]

They actually ride fantastically with the bilsteins- huge improvement over what was there before. Just too damn high.

Have OME 890s in the rear which gave about 2" lift so the front is still 1.5" higher than rear

 

[Junkwhale]

How it sits atm (the rear is pretty weighed down with a whole rear axle + brakes+removed suspension in the trunk so prob looks even worse than it could):

 

[ryanlord43]

I have the 4runner 5100 + Eibach 650 coils on the lowest perch and they sit just a touch higher then my saggy 890s in the rear. Rides great! I do have the little 3rz in mine but i also have winch, mounting plate and full skids so i imagine I weigh the same as a v6 up front.

Saying this something doesn't seem right with your setup thats to much lift for the bottom perch. Some pics with a wheel off would help a ton!

 

[elsegundo]

3 inch lift trouble also with no remedy is sight

I installed a packaged 3 inch lift with Eibach Front Coil Lift Springs and 1 x D558-P - Front Bilstein 5100 Series Shocks. I had nothing but trouble putting them in because the shock and spring would not cycle (Shock shaft did not withdraw into tube housing). I called the company and they had said they've never seen that before and suggested I loosen the upper control arm which I did. After cussing a lot for hours I finally go the front left tire and suspension assemble together. The front right wheel took 10 minutes to install vs, front left 5 hours. I finished the rear components and went for a drive down the driveway and came back. The short drive convinced me there was no safe speed to drive the 4runner and it has sat in my driveway for 4 days. I contacted the company that sold me the kit and they tell me its not their problem and I can not return the defective part. The entire weight of the 4runner sits on a stiff left shock while the right shock absorbs the bumps thus shifting the vehicles heading unpredictable. This is my biggest blunder for 2018, so much precious free time lost and $1600 spent that ultimately sidelined my one owner, always reliable vehicle into a dead car (5 days and counting)in my driveway. It is a shame some vendors do not stand behind their products even when they know they sold defective parts based on the pictures sent the first day I received the lift kit and sent them pictures of the problem.