What changes with Bilstein 5100's?
- Thread starter Arkangel
- Start date
I have KDSS and so far I have had no problems. If you are concerned that it might exaggerate the lean like I was, it was 1/2" prior and still 1/2" post. So no difference.
If I ever had a do over. Gunmetal wheels on nautical blue metallic is the way I would want it. That blue is my favorite color, but couldn't justify a financial hit in trading for a paint color lol. Nice truck man. I knowfftopic:
Thank you! I specifically went with out the premium package because they didn't have one in that color on the lot. Sacrifices, sacrifices, lol.
I like it very much! Sent you a PM too. The tires are 275/70/r17s, Goodyear MT/Rs. Just slightly bigger than stock. Surprisingly they rub little. I don't know how some guys on here run the 285s on a stock set up!
WFO_Racer
New member
Called the local 4 Wheel Parts here in Orange County Ca, they have the 5100's on sale.
The clerk told me that they could install but in order to do so they need to remove the KDSS. Won't work with it, I gave him a minute to explain before I took another call otherwise I would have busted out laughing.
The clerk told me that they could install but in order to do so they need to remove the KDSS. Won't work with it, I gave him a minute to explain before I took another call otherwise I would have busted out laughing.
Lexusbstrdchild
New member
I hope they meant XREAS not KDSS. If not, you made the right choice in calling elsewhere!
Jeff614
New member
Get 'em! You won't regret it. I just have them in the front, I am thinking about getting them in the rear now as well. For all the reasons above. I have my fronts set at 2.5" to level out the rake.
Any issues with just running them in front?
I'll be adding the SSS slimline bumper + winch so maybe around 150 lbs.? to my stock front end soon. With the already present nosedive I feel like the Bilsteins we be necessary once all the weight is hanging off the front end.
- Jeff
Only problem is that I now want to install them in the rear! If you have the extra money, do all 4 corners.
So side note. When I asked 4 Wheel Parts to install them, I actually only asked them to set them at the 1.75" height to level out the rake. When I measured I got 2.5" I figured they just set it at that height so that it would be "level" like I requested. But I looked and it looks like they are not even at the maximum height and possibly could go higher! I wouldn't think there would be any "settling" period because it is just the shocks and not springs. Am I wrong? Or do I get more lift because the trail edition sits higher to begin with from the factory? I'll try to get a picture of what I am talking about.
Got a picture. So it looks like there is a ring above and below the cup the spring sits on, indicating it could go higher? How did I end up with 2.5" if it is the center ring? Isn't that supposed to be 1.75"?
Got a picture. So it looks like there is a ring above and below the cup the spring sits on, indicating it could go higher? How did I end up with 2.5" if it is the center ring? Isn't that supposed to be 1.75"?
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electr0mix
New member
Did you have to get new springs and spacers or just had the shocks installed?
Bringing this up because I have a question, and have confused myself more after doing the prerequisite searching and reading that will still probably be recommended...
this thread questions the changes that come after installing 5100s, but i'm kind of wondering...
Has anyone gone 5100s all around, found the results to be less than expected, then replaced the coils and gotten the results they were expecting initially?
(what results were you expecting initially?)
Like most, I'm wanting to calm the 'soft' suspension on a new Trail, and was pretty set on just replacing stock for 5100s all around. But, like I said, after reading through a million posts, I'm now wondering if that'd be a waste without also replacing the springs. Or just replacing the springs and leaving the shocks. I'm looking at Toytech/ Eibach up front with 5100s. I'm wanting to keep the lift (outside of leveling) to a minimum (wife and kids).
I found a post that mentioned a pretty minimal lift with an Icon setup, but that involved custom springs, which I do believe is outside of my budget.
Then I found this thread that kind of threw me for a loop: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/79394-my-sr5-build.html
this thread questions the changes that come after installing 5100s, but i'm kind of wondering...
Has anyone gone 5100s all around, found the results to be less than expected, then replaced the coils and gotten the results they were expecting initially?
(what results were you expecting initially?)
Like most, I'm wanting to calm the 'soft' suspension on a new Trail, and was pretty set on just replacing stock for 5100s all around. But, like I said, after reading through a million posts, I'm now wondering if that'd be a waste without also replacing the springs. Or just replacing the springs and leaving the shocks. I'm looking at Toytech/ Eibach up front with 5100s. I'm wanting to keep the lift (outside of leveling) to a minimum (wife and kids).
I found a post that mentioned a pretty minimal lift with an Icon setup, but that involved custom springs, which I do believe is outside of my budget.
Then I found this thread that kind of threw me for a loop: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/79394-my-sr5-build.html
My 2015 TE, 5100's all four front set @ 1.75, 1" rear cornfef spacer. Like you i was overly concerned, all turned out fine. Its a major improvement over factory ride. Solid and more stable.
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codyHTX
Member
installed 4 5100's at 1.75" in the front with a 1" rear spacer (driver side 0.1" thicker than passenger to compensate for lean) using all stock springs.
resulted in exactly 1.75" lift in front and 1.25" in rear, so the results were exactly as expected.
As is mentioned in this thread the ride is firmer in corners, reduced brake dive, and is smooth over washboard bumps.
with regards to budget, the F/R shocks, rear spacers, and post-lift alignment cost $521 all together when self installing. i'll also note i had never done anything suspension related before this, but with the forum write-ups and a friend helping out it is really quite straight forward.
before/after:
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That's better than the predetermined "utilize that search box, dumbshit"
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mybabydaddy
New member
T4RGold
New member
Right on codyHTX.
Your rig looks awesome and your evaluation is right on. I can't remember how many times I studied your build before I pulled the trigger on mine. The ride is far better than stock in my opinion. Mine is firm on the corners and has almost no brake dive, and for mostly highway and some tooling around off-road, it's excellent. I did go with Camburg BJ UCAs to nail the alignment due to all the highway miles. Can't go wrong Brother. Now if you're going to pound it off-road, I would go with a more advanced system.
Your rig looks awesome and your evaluation is right on. I can't remember how many times I studied your build before I pulled the trigger on mine. The ride is far better than stock in my opinion. Mine is firm on the corners and has almost no brake dive, and for mostly highway and some tooling around off-road, it's excellent. I did go with Camburg BJ UCAs to nail the alignment due to all the highway miles. Can't go wrong Brother. Now if you're going to pound it off-road, I would go with a more advanced system.
What size tires and wheels are you running with that setup?
TeryT
New member
Did all 5100s a couple months ago - slightly harsher so far
So I replaced a leaky Xreas at around 180k with four 5100s. (Let me say up front that I am one of the few that liked the ride with the Xreas, both on and off road.) I've been privy to various 5100 conversation over the years and decided to go with them. The local dealership (Right Toyota - great/honest service guys) gave me a very competetive price to yank the Xreas and replace, and I bought the 5100s on Amazon for them to install a couple months ago.
Yes, the 5100s soak up big bumps better, but the ride is definitely on the stiff side - definitely harsher than the stock Xreas. I feel cracks and little things in the pavement more, but the bigger bumps it does a real nice job of floating over. I suspect that they will do well when I get the 4R off pavement, which I've not been able to do much since installing.
I've read on here and else where, that some people thought the 5100s were excessively stiff/harsh for the first several hundred miles. I also read that taking them off road breaks them in faster, but not sure about that.
So I like them overall, but I'm waiting and hoping they smooth out just a bit.
So I replaced a leaky Xreas at around 180k with four 5100s. (Let me say up front that I am one of the few that liked the ride with the Xreas, both on and off road.) I've been privy to various 5100 conversation over the years and decided to go with them. The local dealership (Right Toyota - great/honest service guys) gave me a very competetive price to yank the Xreas and replace, and I bought the 5100s on Amazon for them to install a couple months ago.
Yes, the 5100s soak up big bumps better, but the ride is definitely on the stiff side - definitely harsher than the stock Xreas. I feel cracks and little things in the pavement more, but the bigger bumps it does a real nice job of floating over. I suspect that they will do well when I get the 4R off pavement, which I've not been able to do much since installing.
I've read on here and else where, that some people thought the 5100s were excessively stiff/harsh for the first several hundred miles. I also read that taking them off road breaks them in faster, but not sure about that.
So I like them overall, but I'm waiting and hoping they smooth out just a bit.
Brake dive gone
I did the 5100’s in front to their 2nd setting (lift just .85”) to level it off (rear left stock). The brake dive is virtually gone. I then did the rear 5100’s too (non adj). Overall the ride is ever-so-slightly stiffer but hardly noticeable with much better handling overall.
I did the 5100’s in front to their 2nd setting (lift just .85”) to level it off (rear left stock). The brake dive is virtually gone. I then did the rear 5100’s too (non adj). Overall the ride is ever-so-slightly stiffer but hardly noticeable with much better handling overall.
