Bilstein 5100 questions

Call it 20 front and 21.5 rear. So 1.75 + 20 = 21.75 front. 21.5 + 1.5 = 23 rear. Not level even when ToyTec told you it was which illustrates my point.

If you keep your factory overload spring in (instead or removing it, which by the way, will decrease your payload capacity NOT increase it like ToyTec said) you can see 2" of lift in the rear, as opposed to 1.5". All measurements are approximates and based on an unloaded truck, with no cap, shell, tonneau, etc,.

 

Ahhh I see. Well big whoop they're cheap and I've never heard of anyone breaking them. I'd get the coils...oh wait, I did get the coils! Lol

 

FWIW, you can use OME struts up front with your 885s as they're meant to be used in conjunction and it will retain OMEs warranties. 5100s CAN be used, but if you're not preloading them (which IMO is the only reason really to have them over OME struts/shocks) then I would get the OME stuff instead.

 

Then it sounds to me like I should leave the factory overload in to keep my payload as I attached my problem pic. I am trying to get

rid of the sag when I tow my boat. It drives ok just sags way to much. so have bought from toy tec the 5100's and progressive AAL.

What do you recommend? Not sure if 1.75 higher in back would be a bad thing yet does throw off lighting when not towing.

I do have a hard roll top tonneau cover which weighs in at around 100#s. Open for the best way to kill my sag

 

I would skip the AALs and go straight to Firestone Ride Rite bags. You can install them in an hour and a half - 2 hours, or pay someone else to do it.. which seems like $125-150 for installs is the norm. Totally adjustable to suit your load size and sag. Under $300.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/firestone-ride-rite-sale.380483/

FWIW, I'm running 5100s at 1.75 on stock coils, with a 3 leaf pack (2 + overload) and a Wheeler's 3 leaf progressive AAL and am still needing to purchase Ride Rites or a new leaf pack. I'm going with Ride Rites to maintain ride quality when I'm not unloaded. The 3 leaf progressive AALs are great, IMO, but they're not load handlers because the stock leaf pack aren't load handlers either.

For your uses, I'd go straight to the Ride Rite bags and not listen to poor advice from ToyTec. Just my .02

 

air bags dont sound like an idea I like. cheap way to handle more load I guess. Then I have to stop at an air pump and load up daily and unload daily not what I am after.
I fish 3-5 times a week and just need something with a little more umph for my rear leafs and like the idea of a better ride the 5100's will give. Any other idea's ? Not sure how and what I would
lose removing the factory over load and then adding the progressive and setting at 1.75. I would be 1.25 higher in back which I dont think will be that noticeable when not loaded up with boat.
Then I think I will get rid of the 2 inch sag I get or most of it anyhow.

 

I wouldn't call it cheap, but NBD. I like my 3 leaf AALs and recommend them, but don't think you're buying something more than a few inches of lift. The load handling and carrying hasn't changed much, and with my 1.75 in front I'm still too ass low to drive at night time with a few hundred pounds of cargo in the bed. My shell weighs 225 lbs, and another 100 - 150lbs make me higher up front than in the rear.

That's with the overload retained when I installed them, removing it both will decrease your lift numbers and decrease your load handling, but it will ride nicer unloaded. That's the only real benefit to removing the overload from the factory pack. Again, I don't recommend that. You'll eventually strain your factory leaf springs and they'll sag with or without the 3 leaf AAL, and removing the overload spring will make that happen sooner. Just be mindful of your load, and go accordingly. I wouldn't raise the front so high that you're dragging your ass on the highway while towing your boat.

 

So I think I will keep the factory overload and install progressive AAL with billies. Just not sure If I should keep at 1.75 setting or jack it to highest setting to stay even. If I am 1.75 higher in the back
in theory that will cover my sag issue I am having while towing. Then when not towing I am sitting 1.75 higher in back so not sure how this will affect ride and will I have to adjust my lights differently? Seeing my factory rake is 1.5 already so will change by .25 more. You have very good points which put me back into debate.

 

If anything, I would install the 3 leaf AAL in the rear, hook up the boat and see what the new hub measurement is. Then figure out the lift up front so you're not sitting super low in the rear.

I was an inch (or less, I don't specifically remember) low in the rear before I installed my AALs and I blinded oncoming traffic like crazy. Simply stated, I don't suggest doing anything to the front end until you know you won't be nose high while towing.

Here's my low beams, an inch higher in front than in the rear at 30 yards.

 

That sounds like a good idea then I will install rear AAL and shocks then go hook up my rig and see how she sits. Just dont like two shop visits but might save me from having to re-do anything also. How many settings is there on the 5100's?

 

4 settings.. 0", .85", 1.75", 2.5".

Measurements are approximate.

 

ok here are some before and after shots. Billies all around and fronts set at 1.75 and AAL progressive in back and kept factory overload leaf.

 

Oh and want to add the RIDE QUALITY is just way better than stock even raised up 2 inches. Takes RR tracks and speed bumps like a champ. I dont know why I didnt do this

on my last one. So if you are on the fence JUST DO IT and even if you just do the Billies all around will dramatically change your impression of Tacoma.

 

How long did you have the eibachs (1.6" coils?) before it started drooping / sagging? Did the spring rate seem to be softer when this started to occur? Thanks.

 

strange..........................4 or so years with no issues

OME and Eibach are scragged

 

Will the Eibachs (1.6" 0 setting) on 5100 max out? Thanks

 

I'm getting a pelfreybilt bumper with full hoops and winch soon and I'm running 885s with top plate spacers paired with 5100s and I want to keep close to 3" lift so would swapping out the 885s with the 887s while keeping the spacers keep me around 3" with the bumper and winch?

 

You should probably go with the 886 coils, not the 887s. I think you'll want the stiffer springs to accomodate the added weight.

 

Are 886 coils the same length as 885s?

 

885 coils are 395mm @ 590lb/in
886 coils are 402mm @ 660lb/in

Factory TRD coils are around 540lb/in for comparison.