Bilstein 5100 leveling..... I'm new

Wow on the truck fitment and good call on the 4runner. Can't go wrong there... Now back to the original topic. What is your preference as far as how much rake? I would say the safe route is to go .85 if you don't want to have to possibly re-set them and you don't want to mess with the rear. Might need to consider blocks for the rear as a backup plan if you go with 1.75"

 

The biggest pain in my situation is that no one in town will touch these things. I've heard everything from "we don't install other people's parts" to "we've torn up 2 machines putting coils on them" I'm probably gonna have to do 1.75 simply out of necessity because the one guy in town that will do it wants $100 to put them in then I have to go elsewhere for alignment. As for the rear I can handle that myself. If I need to I can do a block until recall parts come in and I will get them to put an AAL in when they do the install

 

When it comes to something like that, I'd find an off-road shop - even if it means a drive - that can put them on there for you correctly, and then align it afterwards. They'll know all of the correct things to look for when installing something like this. I doubt they'll give you gruff about bringing in your own parts - at least a ma and pa place likely won't, but I don't know your area.

If I may add on a question to save us all from another 5100 thread:

I don't desire any lift. I don't mind if it levels out the front. Will 5100s improve my ride, or is there any other reason for installing them besides obtaining lift? I'd be interested if it's a higher quality product than what's on my stock truck now. I just bought her, and don't plan on doing anything significant anytime soon.

 

If you can handle the rear springs, you can certainly deal with the front. It's easier than messing around with the rear springs. There is a very easy way to remove the struts without using a spring compressor, and it's quite safe. I've used it on 2 seperate occasions and many people from this site have used this method and will agree.

The video of course has a disclaimer, but once you watch it you'll see how easy and safe it is. Actually much safer than the typical spring compressors you would get from an auto parts store.

 

Yes, They will improve your ride. I put them on at 700miles on my new truck. Bought them from Headstrong off-road. They installed 884 springs on the fronts before I received them and set them at 0 setting. That also made it easy for my mechanic to install them. Very simple procedure. Took in for alignment. All done. Way better ride and handling. Loving it. Good Job Headstrong!!!

 

How about with stock springs? How much of that improvement do you attribute to the springs, and how much to the 5100s?

My '15 has about 3k on the clock - bought in July '15 - so I'm doing this pretty early on, as well.

 

The springs make a big difference. I preferred to keep my 5100 at 0 and raise the front with coils.

 

How is the ride quality at the two different heights? Any topping out problems? I feel like there's a lot of conflicting info on weather they work well with any lift and or if it works well with the OME.

I had 5100s on my Xterra and I had a topping out problem when they were set to 1.5

 

So I know people are very different opinions on this. Is the diff drop "recommended" only above 2 inches. Or is it a total waste of money all together

 

waste

 

No diff. Drop.needed. My truck is leveled. I did not do anything to the back. Raised the front 2 inches.

 

I should have said I also put 5100 on the back.

 

I plan to do that also. Probably gonna wait until recall leaf replacement is done

 

You're absolutely going to be topping out with this setup. You're taking away quite a bit of down travel. If you off-road you're REALLY going to notice it. It's definitely going to be stiffer than it was, if that's what you're looking for?