Level only, no lift?

[Chrisd0729]

Looking to level out my 2012 sr5 and not lift the rear. I searched a while today and only found lift-level kits/advice and not much at al on leveling front ONLY. Sounds like Billstein adjustable 5100 or a mild spacer (1.5" or so) would be the trick?

2 questions:

Is it safe to lift the front end with a shock?

What size spacer would be best to level the front and leave the rear stock?


Thanks in advance

 

[PopsSmith]

It depends on how you lift the front end. If you lift via a new spring you will want to get a new strut. If you don't you will top out. If you lift it with a preload spacer once again you will want a new shock so you don't top out. If you do a spacer on the top side you can run the same strut and spring. I would recommend doing the bilstein 5100s. Great ride and they are designed to level/lift. If you search this site you will see a lot of people have done the exact same thing that you are wanting to do.

 

[BobsTrail]

The Bilstein 5100s have an additional 2 inches of travel which makes this a good way to level or lift.

 

[Chrisd0729]

I would recommend doing the bilstein 5100s. Great ride and they are designed to level/lift. If you search this site you will see a lot of people have done the exact same thing that you are wanting to do.

Do the bilsteins alone allow lifting of the front end? Or do I need any other pieces?

 

[BobsTrail]

The Bilsteins are all you need - part # 24-196499. They have settings for 0.0, 0.85, 1.75 and 2.5 inch lift. IMO 1.75 is good for leveling. If you tow or carry much a set of Air Lift bags in the rear springs is good to avoid rear sag. Part # 60809.

 

[Chrisd0729]

Thanks for the help and quick replies- I'll order them up today.

Thanks again

 

[Newf4R]

I've done a ton of searching on this exact topic lately because I am looking for the same thing as you by the sounds of it.

The Bilstein 5100s are exactly what you want. Set the front at either 0.85 or 1.5... whichever you desire.

Randyman... has the 5100s with the fronts set at 0.85. He also has a 10mm rear driver's spacer to level the L/R lean.

Here is sporty87's set-up which you might like as well.

Bilstein 5100 adjustable front shocks set at 1.750" - Rear 1.125 spacer with rear Bilstein shocks

<a href="http://s1096.photobucket.com/albums/g323/4runner10/?action=view&current=IMG_0308.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g323/4runner10/IMG_0308.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Welcome to the club!

 

[mform]

I've seen quite a few references to the 10mm driver side, lean-compensating spacer. Is this a Bilstein item that can be purchased, or is the spacing accomplished another way (washers or some other item)? Also, can leveling be accomplished with 5100's in front only, or should they be installed all around? (Do I recall correctly that rears are not adjustable?)

Yes, I could search all of this stuff. Smack me around for laziness if you must.....

 

[FatTiresRollin]

You can feasibly level the 4runner with just 2 front Bilsteins. The Bilsteins are just such an awesome upgrade for the money, you really should just go ahead and get all 4. The rears a cheaper and a lot easier to install.

 

[Newf4R]

I've seen quite a few references to the 10mm driver side, lean-compensating spacer. Is this a Bilstein item that can be purchased, or is the spacing accomplished another way (washers or some other item)? Also, can leveling be accomplished with 5100's in front only, or should they be installed all around? (Do I recall correctly that rears are not adjustable?)

Yes, I could search all of this stuff. Smack me around for laziness if you must.....

This should answer your question...

Bilstein Height adjustable front and matching 5100 Rear shocks - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

See "Rear Lift Options"

You can, if you like, just install the 5100's in the front, but I wouldn't. I can't imagine having a nice suspension in the front and having the mushy stock suspension in the rear. May not give you the greatest ride.

 

[Randyman...]

FWIW - You can get the 10mm rear driver's side "Lean Compensation Spacer" I used from Toytec:

OME FJ rear trim spacer - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits

I still have a tiny driver's side lean, but I have a mammoth Diehard Platinum 31M battery in the stock location, and my audio system in the cargo area also has a slight driver's side weight bias.

Also - Agreed - If you are going to swap front shocks, you owe it to your poor truck to swap those crappy rear shocks, too!