Bilsteins at 2.5"

[T4RDriller]

First post, and glad to be in my new '11 4 Runner SR5 4x4, silver with premium package. I have to say that I usually don't mod my daily driver, I am coming from a '81 CJ7 that I built for a couple of years and then sold prior to being transferred to Houston - have to say i do miss it with the weather we have had lately. I have searched the threads on here for a while, and now that I am ready to start, I haven't seen anyone who has gone the following route: bilstein 5100's set at the 2.5" mark and 1.5" spacers or OME springs in the rear. Anyone care to comment on this setup? I don't do enough offroading to justify the coilovers (mostly around the farm and out hunting), but would like to get rid of the nose dive with the front lift and get a little more clearance for larger tires (all the front coils that I see are 3" - correct me if I am wrong). Seems like this would be the easiest way to accomplish a <3" lift while doing more than just levelling it out. Thinking of the springs instead of the spacers in the rear due to my towing from time to time.

 

[Brad2064]

I have ordered the 5100's for all four corners and rear 2" All-pro springs. Not installed yet. As far as the 5100's being set at 2.5" with stock springs- I google searched this and there are alot of Tacoma guys that have run this front setup with no problems at all. But for a full 3" lift upfront i think you need a .5" top plate spacer or somehting. Ill let you know in the next couple weeks when i find sometime to install my setup.

 

[T4RDriller]

Thanks, I will be looking forward to seeing how yours turns out. I will be out on business for the next month and will have to wait until then to purchase/install my lift - gives me a little more time to plan. I don't think that I am looking for a full 3" in the front, would probably be good with 2", but don't think that the 5100s have that setting on them. What size tire were you looking at running? I was thinking of keeping the stock tire size (spidertrax spacers to push them out a bit?) and just going with a more aggressive tire.

 

[Brad2064]

I just got my 285/70r17 Goodyear duratrac's in yesterday and will be putting them on stock wheels with 1.5" spacers. I dont think anyone here has done this combo before, so I hope it works out ok.

 

[thebwlife]

I just got my 285/70r17 Goodyear duratrac's in yesterday and will be putting them on stock wheels with 1.5" spacers. I dont think anyone here has done this combo before, so I hope it works out ok.

just make sure to put up some pictures on here.

 

[Falls]

That must preload the spring a lot. If I was you I would do a top out spacer and do the small or med lift with the shocks . kinda splits it up a bit .

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I just got my 285/70r17 Goodyear duratrac's in yesterday and will be putting them on stock wheels with 1.5" spacers. I dont think anyone here has done this combo before, so I hope it works out ok.

The stock SR5 wheel is a bit narrow for the 285 duratracs, but it will work. Pretty much the reason I went with aftermarket wheels.

Love my Duratracs.

 

[Brad2064]

Falls-good point hadn't thought about that may try it. Or I may just see how it is and if it is too stiff I will do what you suggested.
Mikey- I hear what your saying. I called a few shops and google searched the tire and wheel combo and no big worries out there, some suggested possible tire wear troubles, but hopefully I will get new wheels before I have 10k miles on the tires.

 

[empty403]

but would like to get rid of the nose dive with the front lift and get a little more clearance for larger tires

I have the 5100's on the front and rear, on my 4th gen. Rear is not lifted, but just installing the rear shocks raised it 0.5". I raised the front 1.75", but it's on the .85" setting - I don't know why that is and I haven't found anyone else with the same issue. It does help a lot with the nose diving under braking. It's probably primarily due the shock, but preloading the spring probably helps, too.

 

[4RBob]

That must preload the spring a lot. If I was you I would do a top out spacer and do the small or med lift with the shocks . kinda splits it up a bit .

I'm not so sure. I'm no expert, but I think you are just changing the position on the shock body the spring is mounted on.

Another option would be OME 883 (I believe is the correct #), which I've read here raise the front 1.5-1.75". If you wanted a little more lift than that, you could add a small top spacer.

 

[T4RDriller]

Thanks for all the information, Falls-good point, I will probably go ahead and order both the top out spacer and the 5100s. If I don't end up needing it, I'll keep it for later if I need more lift in the future-get transferred a good bit. I'll post pics once I have it all done when I get back. Brad, looking forward to seeing how yours turns out.

 

[proquip]

That must preload the spring a lot. If I was you I would do a top out spacer and do the small or med lift with the shocks . kinda splits it up a bit .

Interesting read off the Bilstein website.

http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_us/pdfs/Bil_LevShks_WebArticle.pdf

The 5100 is 1/2" to 3/4" longer than the stock shock, having a similar effect to a top-out spacer. In addition, the adjustable collar allows you to preload the stock spring to achieve another 1-3/4" to 2" of lift similar to a preload spacer. It's the combination of both factors that gives you up to 2.5" of lift. Interesting....

I know of one other member here on the forum (BrockT) who's running the 5100 for 2.5" of lift (see link below). BrockT, any chance you can offer some input on the ride quality of the setup, both on and off road? Thanks.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/65893-post-your-lifted-pix-here-11.html#post637935

 

[4RBob]

I believe all the lift adjustments are done by moving the spring seat locator. That is why it is not changing the pre-load of the shock. It is just changing the static ride position (extension) of the shock.

 

[proquip]

Page 4 of the Bilstein document, towards the bottom of the page reads:

"The lift on the 5100 Series leveling shocks is achieved by increasing the preload on the factory coil. By adding more preload, the shock is designed with more rebound damping as compared to the O.E. or standard aftermarket replacement shock."

It seems to be kind'a the optimal economical solutions (as compared to spacers) to lift the front end without having to switch out springs, while providing a beefier shock to take on the additional preload on the stock spring.

I've not done the upgrade myself, although I'm considering it for my TE. The document just seems to provide additional perspective.

 

[2010riddle]

OME 883 & 895E

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/79394-my-sr5-build-2.html#post690614

 

[Falls]

Can you only run the Bilsteins with stock springs ?

I like the 883 and the 895E set up , but I feel that I want better shocks more so than springs. I wonder if you kept the Bilsteins at 0" of lift but used the 883/895E combo if that would be ok ?

The Toytec Ultimate lift uses the 5100 in front but it's set at 0" and the adjustments are made on the CO so in theory it should work .

I think the stock shocks suck and want them replaced with Bilsteins .

Does anyone run OME springs with Bilsteins ????

 

[empty403]

Can you only run the Bilsteins with stock springs ?

I like the 883 and the 895E set up , but I feel that I want better shocks more so than springs. I wonder if you kept the Bilsteins at 0" of lift but used the 883/895E combo if that would be ok ?

Yes, you can run with stock springs and at the 0" setting with the 5100, but Bilstein valved the shock assuming you would be compressing the spring. That is the rebound is slower and the compression is faster. If you want to use that setting why not just get the Bilstein HD - it's also cheaper!