Bilstien 5100 Install

I purchased a set of BilStien 5100's from Down South Motorsports via the net. Recieved them in good order and a good price too. Thanks D.S.

My Taco is a 2006 with almost 90k on the clock.

Had a friend come over to help with the install. Rear shocks were an easy install. If you cannot do that install you may have your Man-Card revoked.

The fronts were a little more difficult but not bad. Basically, unbolted and removed the coil and spring assembly after disconnecting the sway bar ends and steering bolt brackets on the spinndle. Took the coil spring units to my friends house and used his spring compressor to remove and install the new front shocks. Reassmebled the front end and Viola!

The old Bilstiens were in surprisingly good condition.

Took a Test Drive and WOW! Big difference in the ride. This is a much heavier duty shock and I recommend these 5100's Big Time. Did it for $334.00. The stealership wanted more than $1000.00.

 

Pics Man! i just ordered the same set up.
what setting did you go with up front?
I also have a 2006 with 92k mi.

 

I am thinking about the front 5100's as well but am worried about the install. Is it really that easy? These coils wont expand and knock my head off if I loosen a bolt to take them off? I'm no mechanic, but I like working on my truck and learning how to do things myself. This forums been really helpful for everything I have ever had to do.

 

you need a spring compressor to get the coils off.

 

No you don't... Spring compressors are dangerous!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vkVLBOnAifc


TW member DDD made the video.

 

The method in the video above works quite well and is pretty easy. I used it 3x and had good luck with it.

 

I was thinking about a set of these too. Do you need to get an alignment after installing 5100'S?

 

I went with the stock settings as I have no need for lift.

As for spring compressors being unsafe? Not the ones we used as they are very large professional ones that cost sveral thousand dollars. The ones you use or borrow from a auto parts store can be.

You can change your fronts without a spring compressor as shown on Youtube but I believe you ahve to remove the swaybar and loosen the alignment shim.

The way I performed the replacement is safer and easier.

But my point was that the Bilstien 5100's are a great upgrade for your Taco and you can save alot of money by purchasing them online and installing them yourself.

 

Looks a little dangerous. Any problems with the coils slipping out when pumping the shock back up in there?

 

This works perfectly and is super easy!
For the record, all spring compressors are not dangerous...just the POS they rent out from the auto parts stores. You're better off doing it this way if you don't have access to a good compressor.

 

It's suprisingly easy this way. I think it would be pretty difficult to screw it up.

 

So I see guys taking the coils and shock to someone to have them put together, and then installing them as one in the truck. Is this right? Do I need to take the coils and shocks to someone who has a compressor to do it?

 

Best thing I did to the truck- set at 1.75", with TSB rear springs, the truck rides great, but like a truck. Bilstein did a lot of R&D I am sure when they designed the factory TRD shocks, which I am sure carried over to the 5100's. These are much better shock then the OEM shock they make for our trucks. Easy to install, just have to get an alignment. Best entry level lift which functions IMO.

 

I preferred to perform the installation using a quality spring compressor because one was available and I did not want to take the sway bar off.
It allowed me to not mess with the front end alignment or removal of the sway bar.

The procedure on Youtube will work but he removed the sway bar and he loosened the alignment bushings/washer after marking the position so the alignment washer could be returned to the original position. Keep in mind about the energy stored in a spring when releasing it.

Either way will work if you understand the process. It is really a simple procedure. But most importantly 'Be Safe'. Use good Jack Stands and release any energy from the coil-overs safely.

That being said,...replacing the stock Bilstiens with the Bilstien 5100's was one of the best mods I have done on my Taco. Much beefier than the stock Bilstiens.

Happy Wrenching

 

I think he marked the alignment shims so he could return it to ballpark range and have it be drivable to an alignment shop.

All vehicles I've done suspension work on required alignments, even if they looked alright and I didn't undo all the related components. But uhh yea

 

Thanks for the video...I'm actually doing this install this next weekend and didn't want to rent those crap spring compressors from the auto parts store. Last weekend I add a new leaf back.

 

I did mine this past December and just wanted to add my 2 cents on this. As a buckup plan you can also put a thick wire rope or chain through the spring just in case it does come flying out .......it won't go that far and hit ya. "ya safe....I hope " Good luck folks.

 

....That's reassuring haha

 

I haven't done shocks on a gen 2 tacoma, but I have done them before. In my experience you really dont need to compress the spring all that much. You just need to take the tension off. With the ones I replaced I only squeezed 3 coils and it didnt compress that far.That was using a Vato zone rent a tool. That was on my 96 Taco.