Please help me out with a question about Bilstein 5100s

Im sorry im sure most of you have seen this 1000 times but i could not find a definitive answer. I originally wanted to do a 3" kit and run 285s but i have changed my mind and i just want to stick with 265s but i really want to bring the truck up an inch or two. Can i do this just by changing my shocks to 5100s? Will i still be able to run my stock springs front and rear. I just want a little added clearance and i wanted to do it the best way possible with good quality stuff. Can i do them front and rear? This is on a 2012 TRD Sport access cab. Suggestion please, and thanks in advance. I searched i just couldnt find exactly what i was looking for. Also my truck has a 4 leaf spring pack in the rear (stock). I do haul and tow regularly so i want to maintain a little bit of rake. Im not against adding a small block or leaf to the rear if need be.

 

5100 set at .85 stock springs is just what u want

 

Yes you use your stock springs for the 5100's. They only lift up front and for the rear you will need to buy AAL's or blocks to get lift.

 

/\ this and then go with the 265/70/17 tires. No cutting required

 

I have 5100s set at 2.5 and 265's and a 2" Add a leaf. Perfect for me.

 

Bilsteins are a decent cheap(er) lift option. better than spacers. They have 4 adjustable settings for lift. 0"(stock height), .85", 1.75", and 2.5". The higher you go, the more preload on your coil springs and the harsher the ride. At 2.5", you will be stressing the UCA's/Balljoint's ability to align the tires. Some need new control arms at 2.5", others have aligned fine. Kind of a tossup there. .85" or 1.75" will look good with 265's, plus keep a pretty good ride feel. .85 should just about level the front/back, 1.75" may make a hair nose high. Good luck, welcome to TW!

 

Thank you guys very much, just the info i was looking for!

 

Great info for me as well, I'm looking to do the same thing. How much does the aal lift the rear? And at what height do you need/should add the diff drop?

 

Aal's come in different heights. Generally 1", 1.5", and 2". You'll get to pick . A progressive 3-leaf aal gives a pretty good ride from what I hear. I think wheelers has one, I know icon does.

Diff drops aren't really rec'd for 2nd gens. Basically just rotates the dif, only drops like 1/8th". Adds more wear to the components. I have a 2.5-3" lift, no dif drop. Look into the needle bearing upgrade from ecgs. A lift can/will exacerbate the vibrations from the needle bearing

 

1.5"-2" AAL's are pretty common and I would go with leafs instead of blocks. Like the others said a diff drop kit isnt required but I put one on my 2006 double cab since I have 3"s of lift up front.

 

Ok do you have to put 5100 in the rear to along with aal or just have stock?

 

You need the rear 5100's if you are going to lift it. I have the Wheelers 3 leaf HD progressive AALs and really like them. They stated 1.5inch lift which was a bit conservative until I added a topper, rack, RTT, and awning. Now with my front 5100s set at 1.75 i am just about level, maybe a bit of rake is left.

 

I say if your going to lift the rear that you should go with aftermarket shocks for longer travel. You dont have to but I'd recommend it.

 

This is great info on these shocks and small lift options. It has finally helped me decide what i want to do. Thanks again every one.

 

So... im going with the 1.75 setting on the Bilsteins and a 1" block in the rear (just to maintain factory ride in rear). Should that set about right? I tow and haul frequently so i will be fine if it is slightly higher in the rear. Also can i get away with my factory Bilsteins in the rear with just 1"?

 

I'm in the same boat as far as I want to put a mild lift and I tow a trailer on occasion. From the research I've done, I'm thinking I will use the 5100's set at 0 but on eibach coils to give the lift and then set airbags under the rear to help with towing.

 

X2. At least get an AAL instead of blocks especially if you tow quite a bit. You can probably get away with stock shocks with just a 1" lift but if your going to go through all that trouble you might as well add new shocks to the rear as well. If your going to do it right might as well do it right all at once.

 

X2 AAL vs a block

 

Awesome info. Thanks guys. Any one know right off the best place and brand for a 1" aal and i guess go with the 5100s in the rear as well?

 

I'm thinking your idea of the front lift may here best way to go, too. This is my second taco and I want to do it right is time around.

The first taco had Bilsteins set at 1.75" with Dueler AT Revo's, load range C, and if I recall correctly they rode pretty rough. Plus I didn't like how the tires up front were angled like so: \ /