Bilstein install

T

tnark

New member
This weekend I'm installing the Bilstein 5100's on my 2003 4runner. With the front shock being adjustable what is the ideal setting for height. I was told the .85" should be good and the next position at 1.75" may raise the nose to high. I'm installing the 5100's front and rear with OEM springs and no others mods than raising the front to match the rear height. Shock adjustment needs to be done with the shock off the vehicle, so I'm trying to do this only one time. What have others set their front Bilsteins at?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Mine are at the 1.75" setting. I have FJ springs, so my ride sits fairly level with the rear being slightly higher, which I like. I actually want another 1/2" rake on the rear, but just my preference. 2.5" is waayy too much unless you have a significant lift on the rear. .85" will be more or less stock.
 
Presta24 - I bought them from Toytec, with coupon it was 409 shipped.

415runner562 - Thanks for the link, that really helps.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
The fj springs add more lift so your amount may vary.

12guns, aren't yours on the .85 setting?
Click to expand...


Mine are on the middle setting...1.75" right? I thought 2.5" was the high, .85" the low and 1.75" the middle. You can actually see the .85" groove for the large c-clip. So mine is in the middle.
 
There are four settings counting the zero notch. With the 1.75 setting combined with fj springs I would think you would be at over 2" total lift. I've got 1.5" on mine and we are the same level, not sure exactly how much taller my tires are though.
 
I have a V6 '08 SR5, with Bilstein 5100 adjustable front/ 5100 rear, stock springs. I used the 0.85" front setting. There is still a little bit of rake, but much less of the "slammed onto the front tire" look that it had stock.

I think the 1.75" setting would look fine too, but if you add any cargo weight into the rear of the vehicle, sagging it down, it'll look funny.
 
Can you post a pic of your V6 with the .85 setting? Are you running 265/70/17's with it? I'm wondering if the wheel well gap with the .85 setting and 265/70's would look the same as the gap with the stock shocks and 265/65's. I'm curious if the .85 setting with stock springs gives enough lift to run 265/70's without it looking like the "slammed onto the front tire" look. I'm looking to run 265/70's without the tires looking like they take up the whole wheel well, but I also don't want the truck to look "lifted" per se.
 
4runnerlabr said:
Can you post a pic of your V6 with the .85 setting? Are you running 265/70/17's with it? I'm wondering if the wheel well gap with the .85 setting and 265/70's would look the same as the gap with the stock shocks and 265/65's. I'm curious if the .85 setting with stock springs gives enough lift to run 265/70's without it looking like the "slammed onto the front tire" look. I'm looking to run 265/70's without the tires looking like they take up the whole wheel well, but I also don't want the truck to look "lifted" per se.
Click to expand...

I'll post a pic later today. I have 265/70/16 snow tires on there now, but am swapping the "summer" set back on today -- 255/75/17, stock 5-spoke wheels.

The 0.85" setting with stock springs (and either set of tires) IMHO looks better than it did with 100% stock suspension and stock 265/65/17 tires. It doesn't look lifted in any obnoxious way -- just more balanced.
 
The lowest setting the 5100's go is the .85" I thought? The lowest place for the c-clip is on the .85" setting, so you can't put them on "zero" setting...at least that's what I thought. Anyone else verify that??? the c-clip has to be in place, and I'm 100% sure there are three options as already mentioned, just not a bottom or "lowest". The .85" will be more or less stock.
 
The instruction sheet for adjustment on the 5100's shows 4 settings. The bottom position is labeled as Normal, as in zero lift. I'm leaning towards setting mine at the 1.75 and also planning to install a air bag to assist rear sag when I am loaded down.
 

Attachments

  • Bilstein settings 001.jpg
    Bilstein settings 001.jpg
    27.1 KB · Views: 2,810
Last edited:
Yep, as it shows above the 5100s do have four settings. We'll need to double check, but I sure do think yours is on the .85 based on the lift amount you got.
 
12guns said:
The lowest setting the 5100's go is the .85" I thought? The lowest place for the c-clip is on the .85" setting, so you can't put them on "zero" setting...at least that's what I thought. Anyone else verify that??? the c-clip has to be in place, and I'm 100% sure there are three options as already mentioned, just not a bottom or "lowest". The .85" will be more or less stock.
Click to expand...

No, 4 settings. 0.85" is not stock height -- it's roughly 0.85" taller, maybe a little more.
 
My 2008 SR5 4runner, with Bilstein 5100s -- front set at 0.85", rear is non-adjustable. Stock springs. No wheel spacers.

This pic shows 265/70/16 Goodyear Ultra Grip snow tires on old OEM wheels:
4runner001.jpg~original


This pic shows 255/75/17 Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires on stock 17" wheels that came with my 4runner:
4runner002.jpg~original



The driveway is a little slanted to the right, so it's not the best depiction of the effect of the Bilsteins. The garage floor is pretty much level, so it's a better shot.
 
12guns said:
Oops, my bad. I don't even know what's on my own rig! All I know is I love it!
Click to expand...

Haha, I agree, it made a huge difference!!! Biggest reason I wanted to clear this up is I'm getting ready to do mine and will try the 1.75 setting, but if yours was there I was gonna have to go 2.5" in the front (gonna raise my rear about an inch so I'm level). I don't think I'd have enough adjustment in the rear to get it leveled if I set the front on 2.5", but I'm safe now since I can use the 1.75.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 372 (members: 4, guests: 368)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,306
Messages
3,554,045
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top