Bilstein 5100 with cornfed spacers in the front?

[EDness]

did u forget that the FJ coils add about 1 in. by themselves? use them & set the 5100 on the highest setting & u should be at about 3.

yea right now i have about 1.7" lift in the front with the FJC coils and spacers. I don't want 3" lift since i don't plan on getting new UCA so a little over 2.5 is all i wanted.

 

[chaz]

please dont take this the wrong way, but you must take very precise measurements, most guys say about 1.5, 2.5 or 3, instead of 1.7, 2.4, or 2.6. anyway, goodluck, im sure u will like the way its gonna ride.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

The difference you speak of is minimal. IMO you'll get what you want with the FJ springs and 3rd notch on the 5100's. I have this setup and have 2.25" lift with my v8, you'll get about .25"-.5" more with the v6.

 

[EDness]

please dont take this the wrong way, but you must take very precise measurements, most guys say about 1.5, 2.5 or 3, instead of 1.7, 2.4, or 2.6. anyway, goodluck, im sure u will like the way its gonna ride.

well i'm anal about this since i'm thinking about stuffing 285s.

Yea i'm still looking around so I'm not set on what to get yet...I'm even thinking about getting a Land Cruiser! LOL

 

[TacticalSR5]

Basically using a preload spacer is the exact same as using the higher up notches as the 5100's. That's the whole idea behind 5100's, they have a "built in" way to preload your springs. Using both a preload spacer and a higher setting on the 5100's is overkill and you're going to be pushing the structural limits of the shock and possibly damage something. Don't do it unless you aren't using a combined lift of less than 2.5", since that's the max that shock is designed to lift by preloading the coils.

That makes sense, but only if your'e under-planning and getting stock length replacement shocks? correct?

Reason Im digging this up is because I am planning on a similar lift for my runner. Only instead of buying stock height 5100's and cranking up, I will be buying a 2 inch spacer and AC tundra length 5100's. That way, with no pre-load on the 5100's at 2 inches of lift, then i can crank to 3 if ever needed. Where as it may ride like poop if i just did the shock cause the pre load is to stiff.

What do you all think? Am I thinking clearly or am i planning something stupid?

 

[chaz]

it must be me, but i still cant understand why someone would go to with a "snap/clip ring" adj. 5100 , then use a spacer, when all u have to do is get the wrench adj. coilover shocks to begin with. cost will be alittle more but IMO, its better ( function & strength) wise offroad than having either a "snap/clip ring" &/or spacer, & wrench adjustable without using coil compressers or taking them out to work on. "yes the ring can break, http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...justable-snap-ring-broke-test-drive-help.html theres no reason someone cant use the 5100 on the lowest setting & also use a spacer to provide the lift but its kind of redundant & ur back to the which is better or the "right way to lift", spacers or coilovers debate. better yet , instead of trying to over think it, just bite the bullet, & get a "one brand" full setup thats " made to work together", instead of piecemealing some thing that may or may not work so great , & have to change or redo it.

 

[liaosongfang]

bump

I hope this isn't taboo to open a super old thread, but I'm a new guy here. Been stalking for quite a while and preparations to get a new rig have had me on here everyday lately.

This thread was the closest that I could find to my question. I'll try and be as concise as possible. I'm looking for an affordable solution. I don't go "off-roading" but I drive off-road a decent amount due to my fly fishing addiction and other outdoor activities. I've always wanted a lift and obviously love the look but haven't wanted to sacrifice the money for install and on-going gas mileage. I haven't looked into lift kits for years and recently discovered spacer kits. I've been researching on here like crazy and have been changing my mind on what I want to do over and over. Ultimately I'd like some extra ground clearance (since it's usually my biggest concern when i'm off-road) and the looks.

So my question is can i have my cake and eat it too...eventually. What I mean is my question is SIMILAR (but totally different) to the OP's. Could I get a small spacer kit like 2/1.25 or even up to 3/2 (I know that's not small) for aesthetics which offers no performance improvements except the benefits of higher ground clearance, and then down the road when I have some more cash to throw into the truck, get Bilstein 5100's to add a bit of performance. Now to be clear I would be adding the Bilstein at the "0" mark on front - I'm not looking for any additional lift since it was already provided by the spacers - i'm only looking to add in some of the minor performance benefits (i.e. little additional travel and better/firmer ride).

I've ready 93,495 threads about spacers, and the 5100's, coils, etc. but I haven't really seen one (my severe ADD may have hindered that a bit too) that addressed this. If there are, please forgive me!

Anyway, hopefully some eyes actually see this but I'd be super appreciative to any feedback from ya'll. Seems like a pretty awesome group of guys here. I've already sent a few PM's and am very grateful for the responses I recieved.

.......PS....a short intro for any that didn't give up reading long ago...I live in UT and have a 2001 SR5 that I've been driving for about 8 years. I LOVE it. I won't by anything but Toyota. I drove a T100 before that and my wife has an '05 Sequoia. My next upgrade here soon will be a 5th gen (probably 2010-2012 Limited). I anticipate putting 275/55/20 Terra Grapplers or Dynapro ATM's. I'm a fly fishing nutcase too if there are any here that have a double affliction.