Bilstein 5100's - Should I?

I've searched through threads, trying to find an answer, but I don't know anything about suspension, etc.

I have a 2005 PreRunner, with 77,000 miles. It's a TRD Off-Road.

Is there any reason to get 5100's? I have heard that it may be time to replace my shocks, and I figure since the 5100's aren't that expensive, it may be better to get them instead of the stock ones.

Will these add any lift to my truck? Will I have to change anything else besides the shocks?

Best case scenario, I wouldn't mind if they added some lift. I don't want to have to change/add anything else though. I would just want them to be a fairly easy replacement. I don't have the leaf TSB, but I haven't noticed a particularly "harsh ride" with a loaded bed either. Plus, I'm not in warranty.

So, if I can buy these shocks, put them on, and maybe the 1.75 adjustment will work without me having to change or replace anything else, that's what I'm after.

I'm not big into modding trucks, but I figured if my current shocks are getting close to the end of their lifespan, maybe I should go for something a bit better. I hope I'm understanding everything correctly.

Thoughts?

Thanks everyone.

 

They have 4 positions of lift preset - 0, .85, 1.75 & 2.5". They are valved for lift and you can use your coils. Do it. If you do the 1.75 then I'd suggest the Toytec 1.5" AAL for the rear. It'll make it how it shoulda been from the factory for ride and load handling but not crazy harsh on the road. Mine rides much better with it. That should give you slight rake towards front but just off level where it'll be right if hauling stuff. If you go 2.5 then you'll need UCAs to get the caster back.

 

Does your truck have a rake now? Or is it sittin level? If you have a rake to it (front end low, from factory) the .85 or the 1.75 will help you to level it out, but if your sittin level then the 1.75 setting might make your rig sit cali style (rear end low). So its up to you to decide how you want to do it. Also, if your thinking of going with the 5100 the 0 to 1.75 settings don't require other parts unlike the 2.5 which might need UCA's with the install.
If I didn't get the rear TSB done I would've set mine at the .85 setting.

 

I'm kind of trying to avoid a lot of labor costs. I don't know how to work on trucks. Motorcycles are the only things I'm somewhat familiar with.

I don't have the tools or a garage accessible to me at the moment, so I will be having the shocks, etc. installed.

I figure the 5100's won't be much, as my dad had shocks on his truck done, and I was very surprised how cheap it was.

As far as the AAL (I had to look up what it even was), the cost doesn't seem high, but it's definitely beyond my knowledge as far as installing.

I don't really NEED 5100's at the moment, it was just a thought. So I'm trying to limit paying too much for all of this. I have some money available, but I'm not a "truck guy", so there are other things I'd rather spend money on.

Do I need the AAL?

As it sits now, as far as I know, it's essentially stock. So I imagine it's sitting how it sits from the factory.

I'd be fine with the .85 setting, until I decide if I want to put an AAL in the back.

Is that a reasonable way of thinking this out?

Just 5100's, set to .85, and don't do anything else. If in the future I want it up to 1.75, I can add the AAL.

 

I just switched out my stock shocks for these and I gotta tell you that the shocks on my '05 were toast. I knew it was bouncing too much over big bumps on the freeway. Now it hardly even moves when I hit those bumps. There's one where my wife would have to hold her coffee in the air to keep it from spilling. Now, you could be taking a sip and not even notice the bump. That's the difference between the 5100 and a stock '05 shock. FYI, you'll get charged anywhere from 2 - 3 hours of labor for the install on the fronts (you can call around for local labor rates). I called around before doing it myself. I added an AAL and set mine to 1.75. Love the height and looks (and it now feels like driving a cadillac compared to the before setup), but I have to put them back to .85 tomorrow since my front diff bearings are complaining (obviously, you won't have that problem with a prerunner).

 

So you think it makes sense then, to get 5100's, and that's it. Install them, and set to .85, and that's all I would need?

If I decide to go 1.75, THEN I can get the AAL.

That makes sense right?

Then my other question, is are the shocks the same for the front and the back?

Actually, I'll just call downsouth motorsports and ask them.

Thanks again everyone.

 

^^ yes.

And the rears arent adjustable, if thats what you mean??

 

Ah, that's not what I meant.

But I think I get it now.

Thanks everyone.

 

I recently purchased an 06. I thought the hard ride was just due to it having the Off-road package. Even though the previous owner never did anything more than gravel hunting trails, do the front shocks eventually go bad anyways?

 

Just from that little bit of a lift with the angle change on the axles it's causing a problem? Can you actually hear them whining?

 

So it seems that the Bilstein 5100's front and rears will cost $299.00, and the Toytec 1.5" AAL costs $80.

So that's not bad for the parts.

Is that EVERYTHING I'd need to do this?

Like if I walked into a shop, gave them all that, and said install them, and set to 1.75", that should be it?

I don't need any other hoses, cables, etc etc. that I can't think of?

Cause I'm gonna do it...

 

Yes, all shocks wear out. I read about someone that said they've tested them within 1 or 2 years after buying a vehicle and their performance declined at least 50 percent. I would believe it.

Let's see, going with the 1.75 setting which raised the vehicle 2 inches (see my measurements in my post here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/83271-5100s-wheelers-1-5-aal-installed.html), there was absolutely no way you couldn't hear it. Imagine a cyclical grinding sound that can be heard over the radio. It was loud enough that I fugured someone along the road could hear (but I doubt they really could since it just seems to be amplified inside the vehicle). Going down to .85 makes it much quieter.

Yep! Buy the set of 4 shocks, purchase the AAL, install them, and get an alignment. That's it. No other parts needed.

 

What about new centering pins or "U" bolts?

 

fwiw i have the tsb + 5100s @ 2.5

1. i'm sitting level.
2. i got an alignment after install and although caster may not be perfect, it rarely ever is and i checked the printout with the shop, all measurements are within spec.
3. no gear whine. everything runs perfectly smooth.

i actually had more shudders and vibes when stock than after 5100s and spacing the carrier bearing (cost me $2).

 

My AAL from wheeler's came with new center pins. My stock pins would have been too short. There's no excess on the pins and the extra leaf with it's higher curve wouldn't have allowed me to snug them together completely without the new pin and nut. Plus, you cut the excess off after the install because they still have to fit under the stock bumps (or my Timbrens which I kept on). Definitely get a clamp because that'll make life sooo much easier in dealing with the leafs.

 

I have mine set at 2.5 with the 2"aal from toytec. It came with 2 new centering pins I did order new u bolts for peace of mind. Others just reuse their stocks.

Edit. never reuse your stock centering pins.

 

Much better ride than stock. I set the Eibachs at zero and am very happy with the slight lift and more stable, less spongey ride. No regrets. My pic is a little nose up do to the topper weighing in a 190lbs. This may go away with the rear leaft TSB. Best of luck.

 

Thanks everyone. Time to call around for some install prices.

Or find someone who knows what they're doing.

 

I just had the 5100's installed on my 06 double cab 4x4( front only ) sits
nice and level at 1.75" setting. I have NO REAR MODS. You might be disappointed with the .85 setting, although maybe prerunners are different than 4x4's. Check out my post in the recent threads ( from 69z28) to see pics of my truck.