Bought a Ready lift.

Some would say that 5100's are overboard for a truck that only drives on the street and just want to level their truck.

 

There are a lot of options, and I agree that spacers are not one of them. One nice option is to install a TRD Pro/Baja kit with an AAL. At least that is Toyota and from reviews elsewhere on this site, it gets pretty high marks. For a modest lift, that has been blessed by Toyota. That's what I'm waiting to do.

 

And most people with a clue would know the people you mention are wrong.

 

lol ooooooh boy.

 

People are entitled to their opinion. That doesn't mean they're clueless.

 

Justin, the fact that you're asking me to prove to you how the steering angles and control arm angles could be different between a vehicle lifted with spacers and stock shocks vs. a vehicle lifted with Bilstein 5100s in a dynamic situation is exactly why I am choosing to let this go the way of the dodo bird.

If you think it's because I helped prove your point...then please feel free to believe that.

- Mark

 

Mark, you're the first person I've ever heard make that statement and I'm pretty sure you're alone with it. That's why I asked.

 

People on here have deep pockets so they won't approve unless you spend $1,200 on coilovers. Or they'll tell you to get Bilstein 5100s but you achieve lift on those the same way a spacer lift does by compressing the spring. On those ReadyLift top plate spacers you need to extend the bumpstops because the strut will bottom out before you hit the bumpstops. I ran Toytec spacer lifts on all my previous Tacomas with no problems 80,000 miles later. Spacer lifts are a cheap and easy way to clear bigger tires.

 

Don't take my word for it.



Oh, here is the number for Bilstein's Aftermarket and Motorsports East office, just in case you have any other questions about how suspension geometry (control arms and steering, included) can be different in an application lifted with Bilstein 5100s vs. one lifted with spacers - 704.663.7563.

- Mark

 

Seriously?

#1 That is a HUUUUGE spacer lol
#2 The picture clearly exaggerates the size of the strut assembly with the spacer. It makes the OEM shock look bigger than the 5100.
#3 The only thing they said was that the spacer allows the suspension to droop farther and that the upper A-arm "could" contact the coil.
#4 That video was created by Bilstein to sell you THEIR product. They also listed incorrect lift numbers.

The fact remains the same. The A-arms and steering geometry are exactly the same.(ok ok, that last little 1/2' of droop would be the only area the 5100 can't enter, but that's grasping at straws, isn't it?). The vehicle center of gravity is also the same. The gravitational pull of the earth is also the same. The greenhouse effect is also the same. The color of the paint of the vehicle is also the same. Yes, that was sarcasm. Lighten up, buddy.

 

Yes, but the point is that you have an expensive vehicle, so why not add something to it that will improve it? There are a lot of options, and 5100's are a starting point. Nobody on here is making money from their advice we're just trying to help each other based on our experiences - good and bad.

 

you must assimilate!!!

 

Why not add something even better than 5100's that will actually improve his ride and not preload his coils causing a stiffer ride?

I see 4 pages of people telling this guy how shitty his parts are and how big of a mistake he made. His shocks are brand new so there is no need to replace them unless he's looking for off-road performance and if that's the case he shouldn't be looking at 5100's.

I'm also trying to help. I've had spacers on 4 different vehicles that I can remember and they all rode great with no issues for several hundred thousand miles. Yes, some people have jumped their trucks off God knows what and broke a shock with a spacer, but people have broken shocks WITHOUT spacers, too(including the majestic 5100).

 

Can I ask what your long term plans are for the truck/suspension?
I ran a spacer kit for a while, planning to eventually upgrade.
Ended up going with Fox coilovers, saving up for UCAs, and deciding which brand to go with.
Leaning toward JBA Offroad...

 

I have no rubbing issues with the stock UCAs, and the truck was aligned w/3" lift, same as it sits now

 

Good Choice!

 

You forgot the standard "get 5100's, spacers are junk"

 

Justinlhc must have never taken a geometry or physics class.