Bilstein 5100’s and OME 880

[Eric_K]

Getting this 5100/OME (880/906) combo installed this weekend

This is a timely thread for me!

2002 SR5. I've been meaning to get this done for almost 2 years. But the truck sat in my garage and was hardly used instead (still only 110K on it). But now I want to use it as my frequent driver, and keep the mileage off of my newer '16. I've owned 3 other Gen3 (2 '97s and a '00) and this '02 is the shortest by far. Riding low and sagging in the rear, as everyone knows they do over time. Until I recently popped the running boards off, it looked like a mini van, IMO. LOL

I decided to go with the 5100/OME kit. Got the discount deal currently offered on line here: 1996-2002 3rd Gen 4Runner 5100/OME Lift Kit | SRQ Fabrications

Seemed reasonable to me, even though I know there would be less expensive approaches. I'm not a mechanic, and really only try superficial work myself - so I was more comfortable going with a common "kit" and having my Toyota dealer do the install. $650 including front & rear alignment. So $1400 all in.

I was sold by the "why not" thread linked above here, and here: Why not OME 880/906? Talk me out of it.

Looking forward to getting it done, with the understanding the stance will be pretty close to the highest stock year ('99). I met another guy who had the same kit, and his was sitting about the same height as my '16 TRD PRO (which I think is perfect). I don't have any concern about how it is going to go - but will of course make sure the shocks are set right.

I'll add some before/after pics.

 

[dennis@4]

Long time lurker to T4R forum. Couldn't help but to comment that I too will be upgrading my suspension.

@erik_k
I am currently waiting for the parts to all be received but I went with B5100 all around, 880 front springs and 960 rear. After long research, it appears that others have done this successfully without any issues as long as you leave on the bottom perch. I'll post pics as well once parts are installed. Do you have any plans to go with bigger tires as well?

 

[Eric_K]

Long time lurker to T4R forum. Couldn't help but to comment that I too will be upgrading my suspension.

@erik_k
I am currently waiting for the parts to all be received but I went with B5100 all around, 880 front springs and 960 rear. After long research, it appears that others have done this successfully without any issues as long as you leave on the bottom perch. I'll post pics as well once parts are installed. Do you have any plans to go with bigger tires as well?

Hey Dennis. Yeah - I'll bump up the tire size to 275/70/17 (currently have 265). But not until I wear these out... they only have about 10K on them and still look pretty new.

 

[lgc285]

Yes, when running any lift springs, whether it is OME or not, you need to leave the 5100 set to the bottom perch.

Bilsteinlifts.com isn't Bilstein the manufacture, it's just a company that owns that specific domain.

Our 5100/OME is our most common sold lift kit by 20x and have seen no failures when customers keep the shock set to the bottom perch.

can anyone confirm that the 2nd notch on the Tundra 5100 would be equivalent to the bottom on the 4runner 5100?

 

[lgc285]

trying to get a stock height with tundra 5100 and 99 talls. seeing mixed info. thanks for any help

 

[boatlee]

I have 5100 with 883s and 891. No issues here.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

 

[Eric_K]

Long time lurker to T4R forum. Couldn't help but to comment that I too will be upgrading my suspension.

@erik_k
I am currently waiting for the parts to all be received but I went with B5100 all around, 880 front springs and 960 rear. After long research, it appears that others have done this successfully without any issues as long as you leave on the bottom perch. I'll post pics as well once parts are installed. Do you have any plans to go with bigger tires as well?

Hey Dennis - did you get yours done yet? I just did last week. Also had the ball joints and top plates replaced, as well as some bushings. I also had the tank skid replaced... it was rusted through, while the entire rest of the thing underneath has only superficial rust in a few spots. I had Dunning Toyota in Ann Arbor do it all. They were very reasonable, and I really trust their experience and thoroughness with the alignments.

So the thing now rides like it's brand new (or as good as my '97 did when it was new, and that was the only T4R I've bought new). Maybe only *slightly* stiffer, and also more of a feel of control. I'm very pleased. It isn't super tall - I think it is perfect, and about the same height of the stock TRD Pro. It has a slight rake which I actually like and that's fine because it is often loaded. I do plan on picking up the slightly larger tires with some more off-road worthy tread... maybe later in the fall, as the current ones aren't in quite a good of shape as I thought.

For the record, the front was lifted about exactly 1.5 inches. The back about 2.5 inches. That's probably the most anyone would see from these springs and shocks on the lowest setting. But it's just a function of the 2002 being the "shortest" 3rd Gen T4R in the first place, combined with the back REALLY sagging. The pictures I shared were with it empty. If I had any load at all, it was pretty brutal. I should look for a picture with it loaded down with all our snowboard stuff & packed to go up north. It was kind of embarassing. lol

Attaching some before and after pics. Also in the album I shared.

 

[nathanroyse]

I have 5100's with OME 881. no issues besides i didnt get as much lift as i wanted

 

[JUICE222]

I ran 4runner specific 5100s with OME880 front/906 rear for at least 2 years and no issues.

 

[DerekRI]

So on the bottom perch, this setup is 2" of lift from stock? That's about an inch taller than 99's, right? Does it require a diff drop, or is it within acceptable specs without one?

I just bought some basic shocks and coils to get me through winter, as the suspension on the '01 I just bought is completely toast. I didn't want to invest much into it initially until I decide whether it's going to be long or short term transportation. If I decide to keep it longer, I'll definitely want some better suspension in it next year.

 

[Eric_K]

So on the bottom perch, this setup is 2" of lift from stock? That's about an inch taller than 99's, right? Does it require a diff drop, or is it within acceptable specs without one?

I just bought some basic shocks and coils to get me through winter, as the suspension on the '01 I just bought is completely toast. I didn't want to invest much into it initially until I decide whether it's going to be long or short term transportation. If I decide to keep it longer, I'll definitely want some better suspension in it next year.

Hey Derek .... never saw this but based on what you said you still may have not done the suspension upgrade yet.

The answer is the 880/906 with the 5100s doesn't need any other special work like diff drop. That was actually one of my reasons for going with that config. If you have an '01 I think it is low like my '02. It was a really big, pleasant difference to get it lifted with the new shocks and coils. It is taller than a '99 but no more than an inch (maybe only a half-inch). I like it because it is clearly tall but nobody says "hey look at that lifted truck". And it handles really well - just excellent.

I just bought 265/75R16s (BF Goodrich KOs) and that will add a bit less than another inch. And also about 2MPH at highway speeds. I think that's about the extent of my upgrades, because I like a mostly stock look.