Bilstein 5100 help

[Brobertson300]

So I had a long conversation today with a friend about front spacers to level things out and decided after I ordered it, that its not the way I want to go about it. Ive decided to get front Bilstein 5100 adjustable struts to level things out. My question is, if I got Bilstein 5100 rear shocks too will it keep original height in the rear? I want to keep stock height just level out the 4runner maybe just a hair of a lift. I know I could get FJ springs to get a gain in height but not sure I really want to get too crazy with lifting it. BTW I have a 2007 4runner sport v6.

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

Hi Brobertson300.

The front shocks have an adjustable spring seat that is providing the lift. The rear suspension is a separate spring and shock, so the rear 5100 wont provide any lift. You can lift it up with either a spring or a spacer, the minimum is about 1.5".

We have these in stock and ready to ship - let us know if we can answer any other questions.

Thanks!

 

[chitown40]

So I had a long conversation today with a friend about front spacers to level things out and decided after I ordered it, that its not the way I want to go about it. Ive decided to get front Bilstein 5100 adjustable struts to level things out. My question is, if I got Bilstein 5100 rear shocks too will it keep original height in the rear? I want to keep stock height just level out the 4runner maybe just a hair of a lift. I know I could get FJ springs to get a gain in height but not sure I really want to get too crazy with lifting it. BTW I have a 2007 4runner sport v6.

If you want level and maybe just an inch or less of lift, then order up some new MOOG FJ Springs for front and rear and set your from 5100s at the second setting (.85"). This will level the vehicle, improve your ride, and keep it very close to stock.

 

[liljon01525]

Chitown40

Over time would the front still droop with the FJ Springs? Or is there a heavier spring available?

 

[chitown40]

Chitown40

Over time would the front still droop with the FJ Springs? Or is there a heavier spring available?

All Springs droop over time, especially when added weight is introduced. If you have the V8 you may want to consider a different spring for the front since the Moogs are designed for t he weight of a V6. I had the V6 and 5100s at .85" and I had a very very small if even noticeable rake back to front.

 

[Xrider237]

the fj springs in the rear would give you ~1/2" lift so that may be exactly what you are looking for

 

[CA-RJ]

I just replaced the original shocks (with 135k miles on them) with the 5100's. I wanted to level the front out at the same time. I used the original springs front/rear and set the front at 1.75". The result is a nice, level 4runner that rides great.

 

[alia176]

Is your droop affected at all when you use the 5100 adj front struts on higher settings? Another words, the more lift you squeeze out, does that equate to less droop?

 

[TotalAutomotiveLV]

Is your droop affected at all when you use the 5100 adj front struts on higher settings? Another words, the more lift you squeeze out, does that equate to less droop?

Droop is not an important factor, but travel is. While you will not have as much "droop", you will gain suspension travel over stock, where as a spacer type lift limits travel and droop.

 

[tannerk15]

I also just purchased a set of Bilstein 5100's for the front and rear. Where I differ from you is that I am looking to get a larger lift than what the front Bilstein's will offer. What would you guys recommend to pair with the Bilstein's to gain more lift without sacrificing the quality of ride? I have heard of people pairing OME-885 's with them but fear that might be too much lift for my taste.

If you have Bilstein 5100's installed, whether it is just the shocks or paired with something else, I would really appreciate your advice and pictures.

 

[salong53]

[MENTION=132588]tannerk15[/MENTION] if you go with 5100s and stock springs set at the highest setting, you're almost as high as you can go without needing to purchase control arms. 5100s and FJ springs would be the highest I'd go without buying control arms. That will give about 3-3.5" of lift in the front.
[MENTION=135726]Brobertson300[/MENTION] In my experience and opinion, once you level the truck you're going to want to lift the rear slightly too. Raising the front will lower the rear departure angle slightly unless you lift the back too, giving it that 3rd gen squatty look. Sounds like you should decide between A) Moog FJ springs + 5100s or B) 5100s + 1" Cornfed or 1.5" Daystar rear spacer.

 

[kevinpt]

I also just purchased a set of Bilstein 5100's for the front and rear. Where I differ from you is that I am looking to get a larger lift than what the front Bilstein's will offer. What would you guys recommend to pair with the Bilstein's to gain more lift without sacrificing the quality of ride? I have heard of people pairing OME-885 's with them but fear that might be too much lift for my taste.

If you have Bilstein 5100's installed, whether it is just the shocks or paired with something else, I would really appreciate your advice and pictures.

you can also run 6 lug tacoma coils, im running the trd off road coils and got them for free. oem options for springs up front are trd off road(tacoma), trd sport(tacoma) v6 tacoma coils, fj coils, and trail team coils

 

[riverwolf]

There's already a sticky with pretty much all of hte possible permutations of shock/spring/motor and resulting lift, but I'll throw in my 2 cents here as well to make it easier for the OP.

Folks keep mentioning the Moog FJ springs, but they have a significatnly higher spring rate that may result too harsh of a ride for you; just a matter of taste. For my V-8 AWD Limited, I went 5100s on 1st notch (.85") plus Moog's 4Runner springs front/rear. After 7 months on this combo, I've settled in at 1" front/.5" rear of lift relative to the original shocks/springs that were removed with ~128K on them. With a V6, you'd get a little more lift in front than I did. The Moog 4Runner springs have a *slightly* higher rate than the OE and are a smidge longer as well.

Just remembered, if you search the forum, there's a member where who used the exact same setup I did on a V6, if you want to read his first hand experience.

-Brent