bilstein shock issue

[td12682]

So I installed front and rear bilstein shocks of my 01 4runner and it lifted the front of my truck quite a bit!!! Unfortunately thats not what I was looking for.....any input??

 

[4-Ripcord]

Um.. turn them down a notch? Assuming you have 5100's..

 

[00_4runner]

So I installed front and rear bilstein shocks of my 01 4runner and it lifted the front of my truck quite a bit!!! Unfortunately thats not what I was looking for.....any input??

from what ive seen when replacing them in my dad's runner, mine is next and both are 2000, the old shocks were so worn that some of the stock ride height was lost so installing the new bilsteins raised the car up to where it should be

 

[PitbullRescuer]

So you guys are seeing lift out of the shocks? Not replacing the springs or adding spacers but still getting some lift? That's interesting to me, never heard of shocks providing any lift by themselves.

 

[td12682]

yes they are the 5100's........i'm gonna play with them a little more tmrw to see if I can get them adjusted down........if not i'll have to pick up a set of '99 and earlier rear springs to even it out.

 

[4-Ripcord]

for 5100's, You have to take them off the truck and take them apart to adjust them..

Do you have a picture of how is sits?

 

[00_4runner]

So you guys are seeing lift out of the shocks? Not replacing the springs or adding spacers but still getting some lift? That's interesting to me, never heard of shocks providing any lift by themselves.

What I said was that factory shocks were very worn. This could be shown as a slight sag from what the original ride height was. Putting in new shocks could potentially lift the car up to factory ride height. Even though Toyota is great you still shouldn't drive 100,000+ miles on them. It's not huge gains but more like small but noticeable difference in ride height. But like later clarified these are 5100s not just replacement shocks.

 

[steezemcqueen]

Which height setting are they at?

post up a picture of them installed. it is possible that the spring seat was installed upside down which would result in extra lift.

 

[THEREALTOR1]

What I said was that factory shocks were very worn. This could be shown as a slight sag from what the original ride height was. Putting in new shocks could potentially lift the car up to factory ride height. Even though Toyota is great you still shouldn't drive 100,000+ miles on them. It's not huge gains but more like small but noticeable difference in ride height. But like later clarified these are 5100s not just replacement shocks.

I was always under the impression the sagging was caused moreso by worn out coils, not the shocks/struts. Although I imagine if you replace the shocks/struts with a new shock/strut that has a longer measured compressed length than what the factory compressed length is, you might see that difference in the ride height. However, I would also think that this would put alot of stress on your shocks/struts if your coils are still worn out.

 

[awpsome]

its either they were adjusted on a different setting other then stock or you have the drive on new shocks a little bit for them to settle back to normal..
when they are new just installed right after sitting in the garage, a common thing is that they are not settled in
a drive around the block usually puts it all back to normal.

 

[Gerdo]

Make sure that the spring seat has been installed right side up. It should resemble the image below. The seat is now made from steel.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

What I said was that factory shocks were very worn. This could be shown as a slight sag from what the original ride height was. Putting in new shocks could potentially lift the car up to factory ride height. Even though Toyota is great you still shouldn't drive 100,000+ miles on them. It's not huge gains but more like small but noticeable difference in ride height. But like later clarified these are 5100s not just replacement shocks.

I understand what you were saying, I just don't agree with you. You can compress even a new shock with your hands when it's off the car. Worn shocks will make it bounce around a bit on/after bumps, it won't lower your ride height.

 

[00_4runner]

I understand what you were saying, I just don't agree with you. You can compress even a new shock with your hands when it's off the car. Worn shocks will make it bounce around a bit on/after bumps, it won't lower your ride height.

You can compress a shock off the car but with difficulty. The worn shocks we took off were a one hand compress. I saw a measurable difference, idk maybe it was a freak accident.

 

[twitchee2]

ride height has nothing to do with shocks....shocks only control how the springs oscillate. it doesnt matter how long or short the springs are (assuming they are within the length the shock can handle.

to the OP:
your shocks are probably the adjustable 5100s and you need to adjust the spring perch on it.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I would just tend to think that the "sagging" ride height would be a symptom of worn springs as opposed to worn shocks. Just my $.02 anyway.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

ride height has nothing to do with shocks....shocks only control how the springs oscillate. it doesnt matter how long or short the springs are (assuming they are within the length the shock can handle.

to the OP:
your shocks are probably the adjustable 5100s and you need to adjust the spring perch on it.

X2^^^

I installed 5100's on my 01 Tacoma a while back and they came set at the tallest setting (2.5) right out of the box (collar is on the top notch for 2.5, bottom notch for factory). Check the setting yours are at.