Bilsteins 5100 assembly?

[venturefreq]

I just revcieved my Bilsteins 5100 ajustable struts, and noticed it did not come with a snap ring/ coilover lock ring? Does anyone know where I can pick one up?

2006 SR5 4x4 v6 Stock Everything.

 

[jtanner]

hmm, not sure I would try to install it without getting one from bilstein themselves. That is the only thing holding that coil up. I wouldn't chance using one from anywhere else. Are you sure it isn't in the bottom of the box with that strut? I have read on a couple of other forums where guys found theirs lying in the box after they had come off the strut during shipping.

 

[empty403]

Call one of the 2 Bilstein aftermarket offices (East or West) and they should provide them for free or at a small cost. Also, I'm assuming your using the Tacoma/FJ part numbers. Note, I installed this on my T4R myself and used the ride height instructions for 1.75" (3rd line) but when I put it in it was more like a 2.5" raise. I ended up changing it to the 2nd line for a 1.5"-1.75" raise. So add about 0.7" to the what the instructions say. I did put in air sacks into the rear coil and used 5100 shocks and it ended up raising it at about 0.5". So maybe I should have left the front end on the 3rd line to be closer to an even ride height look. Now the rear is about 1.5" higher than the front.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Are you positive you weren't on the highest notch? The settings are 0", .8", 1.25", and 2.5" best I can remember. I'm wanting these, but my goal is ~2.25" lift in the front with FJ springs. Did you use stock springs?

 

[ct221933]

Help!

Call one of the 2 Bilstein aftermarket offices (East or West) and they should provide them for free or at a small cost. Also, I'm assuming your using the Tacoma/FJ part numbers. Note, I installed this on my T4R myself and used the ride height instructions for 1.75" (3rd line) but when I put it in it was more like a 2.5" raise. I ended up changing it to the 2nd line for a 1.5"-1.75" raise. So add about 0.7" to the what the instructions say. I did put in air sacks into the rear coil and used 5100 shocks and it ended up raising it at about 0.5". So maybe I should have left the front end on the 3rd line to be closer to an even ride height look. Now the rear is about 1.5" higher than the front.

I got a reputable auto shop to install the Bilstein 5100 front on the 3rd line (1.75). They got the wrong part for the rear Bilstein 5100 and I will bring the vehicle in the next couple of days. As may be able to see in the picture, the front is slightly higher than the rear. The shop guys assure me that the front shocks take about 3000 miles to settle in. Also, they mentioned after I install the rear bilstein, the rear should raise about 0.5". What's your experience?

In the front, the space between the top of the wheel to the fender flare is wider than the rear as you can see in the pic. I do not like the look, I like it to be level or the front slightly lower than rear. I think here are my 3 options:

(1) Install the rear bilstein and hope the rear raise by 0.5"
(2) Install rear coil 1 inch spacers. (what manufacturer offers a rear coil 1 inch spacer for 2010 T4R?)
(3) Re-install the front to 2nd line at 0.8"?

Which option should I take?

Thanks.

 

[jtanner]

I got a reputable auto shop to install the Bilstein 5100 front on the 3rd line (1.75). They got the wrong part for the rear Bilstein 5100 and I will bring the vehicle in the next couple of days. As may be able to see in the picture, the front is slightly higher than the rear. The shop guys assure me that the front shocks take about 3000 miles to settle in. Also, they mentioned after I install the rear bilstein, the rear should raise about 0.5". What's your experience?

I first had only the front 5100s installed a couple of months ago on my 4th gen. I had them set to the 3rd mark (1.75'). Although my measurements showed that the rear was slightly higher than the front, it didn't look like it to me... it looked a little nose-high. So, I ordered some rear 5100s & a DS 1.5" rear coil spacer kit. I took it in yesterday to have them installed. Luckily, the mechanic "forgot" to install the rear spacers & installed only the rear 5100s. I am glad he did because now the rear sits visibly higher than it did before when it had the stock shocks. I have not taken new measurements to see how much the rear 5100s lifted the back end, but I will try to do that tomorrow & let you know.

 

[jtanner]

ok, I just took some new measurements of the front & rear fender heights (measured from ground to bottom of fender flare):

Pre-5100s:
Front Driver's: 32 13/16
Front Passenger's: 32 13/16
Rear Driver's: 35 1/4
Rear Passenger's: 35 13/16

Post 5100s:
Front Driver's: 34 3/4
Front Passenger's: 34 5/8
Rear Driver's: 35 3/4
Rear Passenger's: 36 1/8

So, with the adjustable 5100s on the front (set at 1.75" setting) with stock springs, I gained just under 2" on each side. In the rears with stock springs & 5100s, I gained ~ 1/2" on the driver's side & 5/16" on the passenger's side.

 

[ct221933]

So, with the adjustable 5100s on the front (set at 1.75" setting) with stock springs, I gained just under 2" on each side. In the rears with stock springs & 5100s, I gained ~ 1/2" on the driver's side & 5/16" on the passenger's side.

Thanks so much for doing this. The front of my vehicle is installed with Bilsteinn 5100 (set at 1.75). The rear will be installed in the next few days. Based on your experience, I may get the following height:

Driver Front (with Bilstein) = 36.8
Passenger Front (with Bilstein) 36.9
Driver Rear (estimated with Bilstein installed) = 36.6
Passenger Front (estimated with Bilstein installed) = 36.9

May I ask how long (or how many miles since) have you had the front installed before the measurements? just wondering if the shocks may take time to settle lower.

Thanks!

 

[jtanner]

May I ask how long (or how many miles since) have you had the front installed before the measurements? just wondering if the shocks may take time to settle lower.

Thanks!

I've had my fronts on since October '10. I measured them back when they were first put on & then again today. The front driver's side has remained the same height, but the passenger's side settled a very tiny bit... like .125". So, not much difference after "settlement" at all.

If I were you, I would just wait until you get the rear 5100s put on & then make a decision. Like I said, I had already purchased a spacer lift kit to install & then after I saw it with just the new 5100s on the rear, I decided it looked perfect & I didn't even need the spacers! Good luck with it & let me know how it turns out for you man!

 

[empty403]

Ark Swamp Rider - I am positive that I did not put the ring on the highest notch as I only wanted about a 1.7" raise. This was so that I would have the rear about a 1" higher gap than the front so when I had passengers or accelerating it would be even. Before I installed the Bilstein 5100s the rear was about 2.5" higher than the front. The rear did increase 0.5" when I installed the rear shock and Firestone Ride Rite. At first I thought it was the air bags but when I removed the air pressure, from both, the 0.5" increase was present. The 1.5" difference between the front and rear remained after 4000+ miles.
I'll post some picks soon.

My 2007 Limited V8 measurements are with 265/60/R18 with the front 5100 setting on the 2nd ring from the bottom, 5100 in the rear, and zero pressure in the Firestone Ride Rite rear air sacks:
Front Driver's: 34 Tire gap 4 1/2"
Front Passenger's: 34 1/8 Tire Gap 5"
Rear Driver's: 35 Tire gap 6"
Rear Passenger's: 35 5/8 Tire Gap 6 3/8"
The difference between the driver and passenger side heights are likely due to the gas tank being full as it is located on the driver side.


ct221933 - don't forget to manually adjust your lights down a bit.

All, did anyone else have trouble installing the 2 new bushings on each of the top mount of the shock which came with the rear 5100s? I had to use one new and one old on each of the shocks. Also, if anyone else is planning on doing this mod I recommend getting the new Bilstein 5160 with remote reservoir, but it is about $100 more. I'm pissed it just came out a few months after I installed the 5100s.

 

[empty403]

I got a reputable auto shop to install the Bilstein 5100 front on the 3rd line (1.75). They got the wrong part for the rear Bilstein 5100 and I will bring the vehicle in the next couple of days. As may be able to see in the picture, the front is slightly higher than the rear. The shop guys assure me that the front shocks take about 3000 miles to settle in. Also, they mentioned after I install the rear bilstein, the rear should raise about 0.5". What's your experience?

In the front, the space between the top of the wheel to the fender flare is wider than the rear as you can see in the pic. I do not like the look, I like it to be level or the front slightly lower than rear. I think here are my 3 options:

(1) Install the rear bilstein and hope the rear raise by 0.5"
(2) Install rear coil 1 inch spacers. (what manufacturer offers a rear coil 1 inch spacer for 2010 T4R?)
(3) Re-install the front to 2nd line at 0.8"?

Which option should I take?

Thanks.

Yes, I agree with jtanner do (1) Install the rear bilstein 5100, before moving onto 2 or 3. It's your decision on the function on whether you want a more lifted look (2) or an even look (3). For me, it was just to give a more even look. I even think my T4R probably goes unnoticed that it was lifted and that it has the SpiderTrax spacers. I'll post pics soon.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Interesting. Is yours a 2wd or v6 by chance? If so, that could explain the extra lift. I'm about to get a set of these (well, I'll look into the 5160's now) and also combine them with FJ springs so I'm trying to get a feel of numbers and if you're actually getting what they state you'll get.

 

[ct221933]

Yes, I agree with jtanner do (1) Install the rear bilstein 5100, before moving onto 2 or 3. It's your decision on the function on whether you want a more lifted look (2) or an even look (3). For me, it was just to give a more even look. I even think my T4R probably goes unnoticed that it was lifted and that it has the SpiderTrax spacers. I'll post pics soon.

Thanks for all the feedback and advice....

yes, I adjusted my headlights lower....

I am looking forward to pics and will post mine once all is done to satisfaction.

 

[empty403]

Here are my pics of after the Bilstein 5100 and Firestone Ride Rite install and 4500+ miles. The front is spring perch is set on the 2nd ring from the bottom. You can see from the picture that the top and bottom lines are visible - the 2 middle rings are covered by the spring perch. The air sacks are suppose to have a minimum of 5psi but I leave it at 0 because the rear ends up feeling too springy when unloaded. I installed the air valves on the towing socket bracket.

 

[ct221933]

All Done

Here it is...all done....I am happy how it looks and drives now....Thanks to all for feedback.

Measurements:
Driver Front: 36.5"
Driver Rear: 37.75"
Pax Front: 36.9"
Pax Rear: 38.25"