In need of a leveling kit

update,

I just got off the phone with my shop. they said just getting the front shocks wont lift the truck at all.
all they are, are longer than stock shocks so if you already have a lift, they wont over extend?

they are talking about still having to put spacers or springs in the front + the bilstein 5100's.......

is the shop full full of it?

 

Ill let someone else reply to this that has done it. But I am pretty sure its been done many times by members on here. Those shocks are adjustable.

 

I agree, what you are saying makes since.

the shop is saying without the spacer or springs, the truck will settle at the stock ride height.......and all that's adjustable is the length so they will fit already lifted trucks.

haha I was all ready to get it done today, and now my shop confused me

has anyone only put the bilstein 5100's on (with no other lift components) and achieved the desired 1-2 in lift in the front?

 

yeah sorry man, getting out of my level of skill trying to call bs on the shop as I have never done it myself and just going off what i have read.

 

no worries, I still appreciate the help

 

5100's can be adjusted to 2.5 inches. If you're keeping stock coils you adjust them with a ring on the shock. If you got new coils like I did then you keep them where they are and the coil gives the lift. I also ran 2.5" leveling kit which was dumb. 1.75" in the front will level it out I went too high and had a bro leaned tacoma...then had to do an add a leaf. But the bilsteins adjust with stock coils to 2.5 inches they probably don't deal with 5100's that often if any at all. The leveling spacers didn't change the ride at all from where it was before in my opinion.

 

I haven't done it on my 3rd Gen but did have them on my 2nd gen years ago. The 5100s alone will lift your front end by themselves, and the lift height depends on which notch you set them at (spring seat? Not sure if that's the right terminology). There are several notches giving different levels of lift, 0" (stock height), .75", 1.5", up to 2.0" or 2.5". The higher your lift using just the 5100s the more compressed the spring is making it more harsher of a ride.

 

cool, thanks guys

ill check to see what another shop says

 

I put Biltsteins 5100's on the second notch.1.75".. Raised the front enough and it is level with the rear.This is on a 2nd gen.The ride is very good.

 

just to be clear, you did this with no other parts? no spacers, or new coilovers.

the shocks lifted your stock truck?

 

Correct. only the adjustable Bilsteins. An alignment is required after installing them.I had a local mechanic do the job.

 

good deal, lol the shop is my local tire kingdom that my stepbrother works at............so its possible they just have not done this before.

I think I will give this a try, shocks only.

 

It will work out great.. I did mine about a year and a half ago.

 

Make sure you get or have the adjustable bilsteins 5100's. Not just regular bilsteins.

 

Warning. Lift alone will not always help you clear larger tires. This may require trimming plastic or cutting/grinding the cab mounts to resolve. You may spend a lot of money in parts and labor just to find the tires still rub. Isolate the source of the issue before throwing parts at the problem, would be my suggestion. It could be alignment, wheel backspacing/offset, etc etc.

 

ive also seen people using a heat gun to mold the plastics in to clear, does anyone see a problem with this method?

 

cheapest ive found for the pair.

just wanted to tripple check before i pull the trigger, theese are correct?

 

how many miles are on your current? just making sure you dont need to get new cushions, ect. But yes those look good.

 

I dont see a problem with that, actually sounds like a great idea if you can get them to mold in enough to miss the tire. Probably a far better option then cutting

 

Works if you're careful. Start low and slow. You May not need a lift just trimming or grinding... as said before the lift May not do much for your problem