5100 snap ring advice

Hello all and thanks in advance for any info. Going to be installing my new 5100s this week. My 03' has about 87k on her. I installed new 4600's in the rear over the weekend and the truck sits about an inch higher in the rear. My question is this: What snap-ring setting should I set my 5100s at to keep it level? I am using the stock springs up front as I kept the stock leaf in the rear. The 4 settings are: Snap Ring Locations: 0", 0.67", 1.33", 2".

I was thinking 1.33" in hopes it would settle. But since I'm using the stock springs that may have lost some "spring" I might get more than than the 1.33". Any help would be great since I dont want to do the install twice.

 

Interesting that new shocks, esp 4600's gave you an inch of lift in the rear. that's not normally the case, you sure you measured right? I'd drive it around a bit and remeasure...

If you really got an extra inch in the back, I'd start with the 1.3" and see how that looks. Don't measure it though, just park on a level surface and see how it looks.

4600's are stock height, so you shouldn't normally get any lift, so if after driving it around the shocks settle back to stock, maybe the .67 would level it out a little.

 

Shocks don't provide lift unless they're bottomed out

I think he was saying the rear just happens to sit higher not because of the shocks though? Here's some info:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-bilstein-5100s-1-75.103873/

 

The .67 will give you what you're looking for. Typically the height that's given is equivalent to double on the truck. For instance an 1 inch block in the back will provide 2 inches of lift and same for the front. So the .67 should give you approximately 1.2xxxx inches in the front. Probably more like 1 after settling.

 

I forgot to mention that I also have a 45 lb. skid plate up front. Would that have any bearing on what snap ring location I should use?

 

Sorry for the confusion. I didn't mean to say the 4600s gave me lift. The rear always sat a little higher than the front

 

The skid plate isn't a problem. I would still only go with the .67 setting.

 

Thanks much for the info. Looking forward to the install now that I'm set on a height.

 

You should use the 1.3" setting if you want to level it.

 

The 5100s for the 1st gen have three positions. The amount of lift at each slot depends on who you talk to. I used the 2nd ring setting and it gave my front end about 1" of lift. I see the highest setting listed as 2.0-2.5". 1" didn't quite bring the front up to level with the rear, but it was a lot closer. I think 2"+ would be a bit much and of course your front springs would be sitting with a lot of compression on them all the time which may make the ride a little harsh (no personal experience with the third setting though). The 1" 2nd slot firmed up the ride a little bit for me, but it wasn't harsh.
Here is an up close shot of the three ring settings on my 5100s before they went in.

 

I got my Billies at Headstrong off-road and they have 4 settings as I listed above ( 0", 0.67", 1.33", 2"). They have 2 choices for 5100 listed. The RCD/Bilstein 5100 Series Adjustable Strut with 3 settings (0", 1.25", and 2.5"). And the Bilstein 5100 Series Adjustable Strut with the 4 settings.

 

If you want it close to level, take measurements at each wheel and make a decision on what adjustments you have. Personally I'd go with the .67" just because I like a little rake. But it's your truck and you can decide what's best for you

 

The reason your rear went up is because your old shocks were completely shot. The new shocks have pressure in them. Not a lot, but enough.

Before I replaced my old shock I went underneath my truck, layed down, and bench-pressed the bed. Ok, not really but I gave it a firm-ish push (maybe 100lbs?) and it moved upwards an inch or two. This is basically what your new shocks are doing - just helping your old leafs with a few pounds of pressure.

 

Sure enough, there is a non RCD/Bilstein version these days with four positions. Learn something new every day. Here is the link for future readers.

3 position RCD/Bilstein 5100 http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p26/RCD/Bilstein_5100_Adjustable_Front_Struts_(Pair)_-_D558.html

4 position Bilstein 5100 http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p267/Bilstein_5100_Adjustable_Front_Struts_(Pair)_-_24-249928.html