question about 5100 tundra shocks/8wrap lift

[detuned]

I've searched and couldn't find find my answer easily and wanted to ask a few question about my setup.

I currently have brand new LC rear shocks and used 8 wrap rear coils. I also have tundra yellow/yellow, yellow/blue springs and the yellow HD bilsteins they came with. (3/8 top out spacer as well)

I lifted it on Wednesday and as soon as I got done, I hated the look. It has a rake that I can't stand. From center of hub to bottom of fender, I'm getting a 2" difference and would like to level it out. I also had to drive 8 hours to Key west and the ride was HORRIBLE. It feels so stiff and not comfortable at all.

I did get an alignment the next morning as well as got my tires balanced, but I just can't stand the stiffness.

My question is, would the adjustible Bilstein 5100 from a Tundra let me level it out some while being a bit softer than the yellow HDs? I know all about the cv killer etc, but I'm trying to figure out ride quality first off. I've seen a few member adjust their perches above the middle setting, but haven't heard much feedback on stiffness/softness etc. Hoping to raise the front another 1.5-2".

Thanks,

Peter

Heres how my truck looks currently with the rake.

 

[binhsterbinh]

I have new Tundra TRD yellow/yellow and yellow/blue springs with Tundra 5100's set on the lowest perch (factory height) with no top out spacers. The ride very soft and smooth in the progressive range and firms up quickly after that point to the 600lb/in spring rates. The shocks do a wonderful job of handling the springs.

With that said, if you raise the perch up too many levels, you'll quickly reduce the softer progressive spring range and your ride will likely suffer from it. I'm not sure what the comfort difference would be between levels, but I sure as hell didn't want to find out. Sounds like you've already used the 3/8" top out spacers as well and still looking for another 1.5-2". I know you can probably use the 5100's on the 3rd perch for about 1.5" of lift, but not sure how it would ride. Probably stiffer than your current setup though due to the pre-load.

Are the Yellow HD's in front you're using new or old? I wouldn't imagine the ride being too bad with the Yellow HD's unless they're shot. HD's are typically valved firmer than the 5100's though.

 

[SCRunner12]

I'm in the same boat. I'm about 1-1.5" rake with my tundra coils and Downey rear coils. I plan on getting some 5100's to soften the ride and level it out more.

 

[ryhi]

nice wheels u got there. i dont have an answer to your question but if it helps at all i had the 4runner/tacoma 5100s set at 2.5 with stock springs and loved it. the ride was still very comfortable and not too stiff at all.

 

[detuned]

Thanks guys. I purchased my front tundra coils/shocks used but were said to have only 12k miles on them.

My car is just handling like crap and it makes me hate driving it. After driving it some more, it feels more twitchy and I feel like everytime I hot a rut in the road, it grabs it and pulls the car a bit.

My tires are 285/75/16s and are good and I just got an alignment the day after I lifted it.

Its really making me want to sell the suspension and just go back to stock with a spacer lift.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Thanks guys. I purchased my front tundra coils/shocks used but were said to have only 12k miles on them.

My car is just handling like crap and it makes me hate driving it. After driving it some more, it feels more twitchy and I feel like everytime I hot a rut in the road, it grabs it and pulls the car a bit.

My tires are 285/75/16s and are good and I just got an alignment the day after I lifted it.

Its really making me want to sell the suspension and just go back to stock with a spacer lift.

I'll buy those Tundra springs if you do :hungry:
But there must be a solution before you do all that. How much lift did you get in the front and rear after the install? BTW those LC springs are known to settle down but it takes a little time so don't give up yet. You could help them along by loading the back of your 4runner with something heavy though.

I have a question of my own....Would it be better to use 4runner/tacoma bilstein 5100s with the Tundra springs?

 

[SRSRunner]

I'll buy those Tundra springs if you do :hungry:
But there must be a solution before you do all that. How much lift did you get in the front and rear after the install? BTW those LC springs are known to settle down but it takes a little time so don't give up yet. You could help them along by loading the back of your 4runner with something heavy though.

I have a question of my own....Would it be better to use 4runner/tacoma bilstein 5100s with the Tundra springs?

Im running the tacoma set up, the ride itself isn't bad but my truck is also "twitchy"

 

[rickashay]

Valving plays a huge difference in the "seat of your pants" feel of suspension. The Tacoma setups, I have heard, do not suite the 4Runner well because the Tacoma is lighter and thus valved differently. The reason why the Tundra setup is supposed to be so good is because an Access Cab Tundra weighs close to that of the 4Runner.

I bet your Yellow Bilstein HD's may be shot. Whats the mileage on them? From what I have researched, a lot of people dont like the stock Yellow Bilstein HD's in terms of their ride quality. The Tundra adjustable 5100's on the other hand are supposed to be great and are the shocks that the Sonoran Steel lift uses. (supposed to be "custom valved for the 4Runner", but many have cross referenced the part numbers and they match the Tundra 5100's) If you want more lift from the 5100's, each notch lifts .65 inches. However, if you want a decent ride your not supposed to go above the 3rd notch. (3rd notch of 5 is the highest you would want to go...)

 

[WrexHAmm]

Thanks guys. I purchased my front tundra coils/shocks used but were said to have only 12k miles on them.

My car is just handling like crap and it makes me hate driving it. After driving it some more, it feels more twitchy and I feel like everytime I hot a rut in the road, it grabs it and pulls the car a bit.

My tires are 285/75/16s and are good and I just got an alignment the day after I lifted it.

Its really making me want to sell the suspension and just go back to stock with a spacer lift.

That's not making me feel very good. I am setting up to install the Tundra fronts with factory bilsteins with a 1/2 inch top plate spacer. I am pairing them up with OME in the rear so there won't be as much rake but should I wait and do the 5100's in the front? I've heard many mixed reactions to the Tundra lift.

 

[SCRunner12]

That's not making me feel very good. I am setting up to install the Tundra fronts with factory bilsteins with a 1/2 inch top plate spacer. I am pairing them up with OME in the rear so there won't be as much rake but should I wait and do the 5100's in the front? I've heard many mixed reactions to the Tundra lift.

I wouldn't worry about it that much. I just put in the same set up except with KYB shocks and the front was a much better improvement before I got my new tires. Obviously if you could wait a month and get the 5100's do it. It will be worth it in the end, but you should be fine up front. The rake will be good with the OME's in the rear.

 

[binhsterbinh]

I paid about $180 shipped for my Tundra 5100's after coupon from AJUSA. I think they're definitely worth the money and longer wait. My front end is anything but twitchy or bouncy at the lowest perch setting and I got about ~2" out of the Tundra coils on my 2000. Member 'Brilliant' drove my truck a few days ago and he was impressed as well - I think he's thinking about the same front setup.

 

[detuned]

Thanks again guys. Actually reading more on the forums, I think I might have found part of my problem. WIth the 8 wraps out back, I might have raised it too much without getting a panhard drop bracket or an extended panhard bar. I did notice it was very hard to line back up when I reinstalled it and also noticed my rear end shiffted about .5-1" to the passenger side. Could that be my "twitchyness"?

 

[Running4life]

The panhard bar could be the issue. With the rear out of line it kicks the front end in funny ways when you go over bumps. Get a new bar or the bracket for it. That should help. My previous '98 drove terrible over bumps before I put the drop bracket on.