Bilstein 5100s at .85" with stock springs

[Ducman]

It turned out good, I wish the front was just a hair higher but I really think 1.75" would have been too much if I ever had any gear in the trunk or people in the rear seats.

The truck rides so much better too. Very happy.

Currently running 265/65 Revos, I'm going to step up to 265/70s when they wear out.

 

[krupnation]

You should put FJC coils on it and move to 1.75" setting. I love it.
Looks good though, rides way better doesn't it?

 

[Ducman]

You should put FJC coils on it and move to 1.75" setting. I love it.
Looks good though, rides way better doesn't it?

Yeah I thought this was one nimble SUV before the 5100s ... they just give it a more solid and controlled feel.

I realize this is one of the more stockish looking rigs on this site... Yeah I did think about trying to track down some FJ springs or doing a 1.5" spacer for the rear and going the full 2.5 up front but...

These 5 Revos I have are lasting FOREVER and will still likely go another year possibly 2 and I hate the way a lifted rig looks on little tires, so maybe down the road I'll bump it up more. Really this whole upgrade started with just wanting to replace 1 leaky front strut... lol

 

[Casper421]

Looks good! I agree, the 5100's make the t4r a whole new vehicle!

 

[borgzman]

Looks good! :thumb3:

Setting it to the 1.75" .. with stock springs and my previous 3 yr old stock size tires, I've had problem with steering wheel vibrations @ 85+ mph so I went back to the .85" setting. I know that allignment can go bad, but vibrations went away when I set it back( to .85"). IMO if I don't have wheel spacers I'll stay at .85. I'm a highway driver so a leveled look, and improved steering and handling is all I need, and these Bilstein shocks really impresses me, specially when cornering..no more body rolls..

 

[Modifier]

I also installed my 5100s yesterday on the .85" setting with stock springs. Same result here - I wish it was just slightly higher in the front. I'll save that for another day with FJ springs and larger tires.
The difference in ride was amazing. I was getting a lot of bump steer and now that is totally gone. Truck corners better too.

 

[8086bruce]

I second the FJ coils. They will do the trick for doth of you. And cheap too!

 

[Modifier]

Installed a set of FJ springs over the Thanksgiving break. Kept the 5100s at the .85" setting and now I am sitting a little high in the front. Probably due to my truck being a V6 and 2wd. Will live with it for a week or so and see if it grows on me - otherwise I will lower the shock setting or throw a small spacer on the back.
Unfortunately my dad had the truck up in the air before I could take some measurements, but it did gain some good lift - and is much firmer going around corners which I really like!

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I had my 5100s in the garage for a month and I was going back and forth trying to decide between .8 and 1.75. I installed them this weekend and I ended up setting the fronts at 1.75 with the stock springs. I'm going to go get it aligned tomorrow. The front camber is a bit off now, but everything else feels fine on the road, and it rides and handles much better. All the wallowing is gone.

I'll be getting bigger wheels and 1 inch taller tires next week (265/65/18).

 

[Dougtoms01]

Installed a set of FJ springs over the Thanksgiving break. Kept the 5100s at the .85" setting and now I am sitting a little high in the front. Probably due to my truck being a V6 and 2wd. Will live with it for a week or so and see if it grows on me - otherwise I will lower the shock setting or throw a small spacer on the back.
Unfortunately my dad had the truck up in the air before I could take some measurements, but it did gain some good lift - and is much firmer going around corners which I really like!

So Modifier,
Are you saying
1. Blistein 5100's all the way around with stock coils improve handling a very noticeable amount.
2. 5100's with FJ coils is an additional improvement over #1

As far as rack, you just need to get front and back hts to what ever you prefer.

I think the stock set up seems to have quite a bit of body roll. Looking to the future past just a spacer lift. Some people recommend the Superflex coils in the back if your just looking for good comfortable ride and nice control. These 5100's just seem to always get good reviews.

 

[Modifier]

So Modifier,
Are you saying
1. Blistein 5100's all the way around with stock coils improve handling a very noticeable amount.
2. 5100's with FJ coils is an additional improvement over #1

Dougtoms01 - Yes, the 5100s with stock springs helped a lot. Truck had 100K on original suspension and was giving me a lot of what I would call "bump-steer"...installed the new 5100s and all that went away. It was much more controlled going over rough pavement and bumps. Adding the FJ coils this past weekend was an even further improvement...truck is much flatter around corners and feels very solid going down the road. It is firm yet still very comfortable. I will adjust either the front end or add a spacer at the back to even it out and be done...well then bigger tires down the road

 

[Dougtoms01]

Thanks Greg,
I'll have to look into the FJ's down the road

Best regards, Doug

 

[mireland4390]

Yea I'm ordering 5100's all the way around and keeping the stock springs. Will def upgrade to fj coils eventually.

Was just gonna ask where everyone got theirs from so I can try to find te best price. The best price I've found so far is $352 with free shipping on shockwarehouse.com

 

[Snesley Wipes]

This damn thread is gonna make me spend more cash! I am still confused though...can you just get a set of the 5100's that are NOT adjustable all the way around if you don't want to raise the front?

 

[Casper421]

This damn thread is gonna make me spend more cash! I am still confused though...can you just get a set of the 5100's that are NOT adjustable all the way around if you don't want to raise the front?

The fronts are adjustable, but you can keep them at the lowest level(0") which is stock ride height for no lift.

 

[chaz]

dont want to lift, just get the HD's then, since only the front 5100's are valved differently, rears are valved the same http://www.toyota-4runner.org/suspension/84359-hd-5100-5160-bilstein-valve-rates.html

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Yea I'm ordering 5100's all the way around and keeping the stock springs. Will def upgrade to fj coils eventually.

Was just gonna ask where everyone got theirs from so I can try to find te best price. The best price I've found so far is $352 with free shipping on shockwarehouse.com

Call these guys, the full set for the fj/4runner is not listed on their website.

Bilstein Pre-Load Adjustable 5100 Series Shocks

They have them as a set of 4 for $299 shipped. I got mine from there last month through their ebay store.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bilstein-RC...=390367063760&ps=63&clkid=4539981591153583728

 

[krupnation]

dont want to lift, just get the HD's then, since only the front 5100's are valved differently, rears are valved the same http://www.toyota-4runner.org/suspension/84359-hd-5100-5160-bilstein-valve-rates.html

I'm not sure of the difference in price (or your budget) but just thinking for the future I'd just spring for the 5100's instead of HD's as it will give you the opportunity to lift the front if you want down the road. The 5100's aren't expensive at all. Just a thought...

 

[Modifier]

I threw on a set of Daystar 1.5" rear spacers on the FJ coils to raise up the back. If you will see the pic I posted earlier in this thread, my 2wd V6 was a little nose high after I installed the 5100s at .85" and a set of FJ coils. What do you think? My dad teases me the truck is playing seesaw with me...front down, front up, front down. I think I am getting close though and it rides great. Just need a set of tires to go with the lift.

 

[Dougtoms01]

That looks just right to me. I like a little rake. I think you may have it :bravo:

I've got a set of 5100's sitting here next to me that I hope to get in this weekend. I can't wait to see how they ride.

The only catch is my daughters car needs some work and I have been tapped this weekend to fix it :-(.

Hopefully I can knock hers out and then install the 5100's

Nice work. Best regards, Doug