Bilstein 5100 fronts set at 2.5....anyone?
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Daddy4Runner
New member
shouldnt be any isues. what springs front and back do you have?
you have aftermarket UCA's right?
slimjj
New member
All depends on the springs. If you go over 3” it will be nearly impossible to get caster in spec without some adjustable upper control arms. Some do a diff drop as well to ease the angle on the CV axles. I found the 5100s are pretty easy on the CVs though so probably not necessary.
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Whatupmang
New member
I had that setup before, I switched to OME springs to reduce pre-load and it rides a lot better. With the 2.5 inch pre-load you definitely feel the stiffness of the ride and lose a lot of travel within the springs.
I wouldnt recommend it.
HCWatson997
New member
I would just recommend doing springs instead of spacers...you won’t look back
slimjj
New member
This is the best option. I have FJ coils at 1.75 and it rides great, but longer coils like OME 2887 would be better because they give you more travel for off roading and good ride quality as you can set the 5100s at the 0 perch. I think they are 15.75” and 590 lb/in. They would give you 2.5” of lift with the coils alone (on a V8).
Funny thing is, I just replaced the sway bar bushings with poly and the end links and it’s a way stiffer ride now. More of a ride quality change than when I replaced the coils and struts.
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blackoutt
New member
OME 885's on 5100 0 setting are 2.5-3" lift 887 would be for only heavy front bumpers and winches and would ride like a tank.
I wouldn't recommend putting ANY spacer on top of the 5100s. Their extended length is longer than stock, and longer than even most of the "extended" travel coilover options. These shocks *should* require aftermarket upper control arms for upper ball joint clearance at full droop. Adding any spacer on top makes full droop lower. A lot of people have found CV binding issues at full droop with 5100's and even small spacers, but it does work for some.
Short answer, yes you can do 5100's at 2.5 setting. It'll ride like crap but might be fine for your preferences. I would recommend next step of OME 885's at 0 setting for same lift and better ride, or some thing better than 5100 all together if they aren't to your liking.
I wouldn't recommend putting ANY spacer on top of the 5100s. Their extended length is longer than stock, and longer than even most of the "extended" travel coilover options. These shocks *should* require aftermarket upper control arms for upper ball joint clearance at full droop. Adding any spacer on top makes full droop lower. A lot of people have found CV binding issues at full droop with 5100's and even small spacers, but it does work for some.
Short answer, yes you can do 5100's at 2.5 setting. It'll ride like crap but might be fine for your preferences. I would recommend next step of OME 885's at 0 setting for same lift and better ride, or some thing better than 5100 all together if they aren't to your liking.
slimjj
New member
The lift depends on the motor. I spoke to Wheelers Off-road and they said the 887s get you about 2.5” on a V8, 885s get you about 2”. Add .5” for V6. They have the same spring rate, 590 lb/in, the 887s are just taller by .2”
Agreed on no spacer on 5100s, just use taller springs.
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Hamquil
New member
I didn’t think you could put longer coils on the front struts especially if I wanted to raise the notch all the way to 2.5.
slimjj
New member
I have FJ coils on mine, which are about .5” taller than stock 4Runner coils and the Billy’s set to 1.75. The ride gets firmer/harsher as you go higher on the perches. I like how mine rides, but set at 2.5 would be too tall and the ride too harsh for me.
I guess the point is to get longer coils so you don’t have to use any of the perches, just keep it at 0 for maximum flex for off-roading and ride quality on-road. The coils will provide the lift, the struts will be long enough for the extended travel and provide good dampening.
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bombventure
New member
I see you guys are recommending not using spacers with the 5100’s. Long story short, I spoke to the guy who installed the lift I got on right now earlier this week about switching to the 5100’s all around.
My question is, do you guys think it would ride to harsh with them on stock springs, not set on any perches, with the spacers I have on it currently?
I really want to upgrade my shocks, especially my rear ones, but if the ride is gonna be harsh or worse than what I’ve currently got, I might as well wait a little longer to purchase front and rear springs with the 5100’s. My main goal overall is to get rid of the minor sag I’ve got going on in the front anyways which I figure is my springs telling me it’s that time.
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My question is, do you guys think it would ride to harsh with them on stock springs, not set on any perches, with the spacers I have on it currently?
I really want to upgrade my shocks, especially my rear ones, but if the ride is gonna be harsh or worse than what I’ve currently got, I might as well wait a little longer to purchase front and rear springs with the 5100’s. My main goal overall is to get rid of the minor sag I’ve got going on in the front anyways which I figure is my springs telling me it’s that time.
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Geologist
Member
I agree, the 2.5 setting preloads the springs too much and makes for a jerky ride. I picked up some Icons afterward and it was a night and day difference in ride quality.
Hamquil
New member
Icon springs for the front Bilsteins?
Zeke588
New member
I actually disagree. When you lift that high don’t you have to remove the front sway bar? I did at least. I have 5100 all around front set at 2.5 on stock springs. Ome 895e in the rear. The stiffer spring rate in the rear and pre loaded springs up front compensate for no sway bar in my case. If you change your front spring to an 885 I think setting at 2.5 would put WAY to much pre load. You won’t get a good ride out of it I think. I also have the v8 so I’m giving you first hand experience
slimjj
New member
If you’re not going to get new coils, I would use the perches over spacers. Both will add preload to the coils, but I like the perches better because of the angle on the CV axles are better IMO.
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bombventure
New member
Would the perches alone give me that extra little bit of lift I need in the front then to fix the sagging?
My 4R is 2wd so I don’t have to worry about the front, no CV axles. Should I be concerned about anything in the rear though?
I might go down there soon and talk with him again, see what we can come up with. Im thinking the best route is to hold out a bit longer and just do it the right way and get new springs/coils with the 5100’s, take out the spacer lift and be done with it.
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slimjj
New member
No CV axles in the rear, it’s a solid rear. I would set the billies at 1.75 to give you some lift and be done with the spacers. You will need to redo it with new coils so I guess it doesn’t really matter either way. Just do what works best for you and your budget and to get new coils.
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