Making an anti-lean spacer for 5100's??

I was thinking about making a spacer for my driver's side 5100 to counter the Taco lean.

My idea was to turn (on a lathe) a piece of round stock into a 1/4" long sleeve that would slide over the strut body and sit on the C-ring that the lower coil stop rests on. Basically, the sleeve would have the same outside diameter as the outer edge of the C-ring.

I'm no mechanical engineer, so is there any reason why this would be a bad idea or would be prone to failure for any unforseen reason?


On another note, if you ask me, I think that 5100's should have twice as many C-ring grooves as they do, all at roughly 1/2" intervals so that you can mix and match the height settings asymmetrically on either side of the truck to counteract the lean if so desired. In other words, rather than just have .85", 1.75", and 2.5", they should have .85", 1.3", 1.75", 2.125", and 2.5" or whatever

 

toytec makes a 1/4'' spacer for just that reason. it's only $20

 

I just ordered one of those to go with my 5100 installation in a few days.

Side note: where exactly do I install the 1/4" top plate spacer? I'm looking for a clear picture but I've come up empty so far. (I'm a suspension dummy)

I think it's a pretty simple piece of metal, so making one would be fine IMO. If you can beat the price of $20 plus $11 shipping I say why not.

 

It goes above the top plate on the shock assembly. It's the last thing you put on before the shocks go back on the truck.

 

so no need to take apart the strut assembly? the lean on my truck is really starting to bother me! my friends constantly point it out and make fun

 

if reusing the stock coils with 5100s, should be no need for a spacer as the coils are side specific to correct the weight offset.

 

Ahh, I see. I can picture that. Thanks

Same here. My buddy always points it out and jabs me about it. No more though after this weekend!

For real?! This is the first time I've heard this.

 

Not true. I had lean before installing 5100s with stock springs. After the 5100s and a 1/4" spacer I am now level.

 

Correct.

 

cool thanks... you think i would i need an alignment afterwards?

 

Yes, alignment would be needed. You may not change it much by just installing the spacer, but it will change it some.

 

Yeah, that was something that confused me -- how the stock coils are slightly different lengths. But nonetheless, I had/have a 1/2" lean before and after installing 5100's, so I want to level the lean with a spacer.

Sounds like the top plate spacer is easier than my homemade idea.

 

i have an '06 off road and the coil springs are color coded for left and right sides...had to be careful not to mix them up when i put 5100s on...i have no noticable lean.

Sport springs & SR5/base not side specific, maybe?

i am 99% sure that mine are.

 

Mine has a little lean on stock coils. I need to add a spacer to the driver's side.

 

i had no lean with my stock coils. i got a lean after i installed OME 885's.

 

Good point. That may be the case.

 

Wheeler's offroad has "trim packers" that are the same thing for less than $8.

 

I'm running OME 885s with OME N140S struts... Thankfully Chris4x4 saved me with his milled down 1/4 spacer. Thanks homieee!

 

Those are for OME shocks though. Does anyone know if these work on the bilsteins? Is the shock tube diameter the same?