Another Bilstein 5100 question

So the past week or so I have searched the forums for an answer to my Bilstein 5100 question. I couldn't find it so I finally decided make an account on here To see if I could get it solved so here it goes.

I have a 1999 Tacoma extended cab that I believe is a prerunner (not the first owner). Im planning on getting the Bilstein 5100 shock kit get from downsouth motorsports to raise my front end enough to "level" it out. The rear of truck is totally stock springs and height I'm pretty sure, and I would like to leave it that way. So my question is will the 5100 series shock work without the one inch of lift that it says is required for the rear? I know it simple to just do an AAL in the rear but I would just prefer not to go that way currently since i think I'm going to keep the stock 265/70 tire size when I get some new rubbers soon. I've read that the bilsteins are 14 inches compressed witch is plenty of room according to my rough measurements. Just looking to find some input on this before I go ahead and order thanks in advance

 

the 5100's are good for 0-3" of lift, so leaving the stock height in the back will be fine.

If you don't intend to lift the back, you could always get the 4600 series for the rear as those are stock replacements. They are within a few bucks cost of the 5100's so you might as well go for the 5100s...

If you'd like to confirm that (I am, after all, just some idiot on the interwebs, lol), when you order from DSM (that's where I got mine, btw) they are super helpful, so just call them up and chat with the guy on the phone.

 

I know theres always the 4600's as on option for the rear but would definitely prefer to have the 5100's all around if possible.I just don't see any reason why they wouldnt fit without a 1'' block in the back. If I remember correctly from when I measured I think i had roughly 17'' from shock mount to mount back there. If I can't figure it out by the time I'm ready to order ill definitely give them a call.

 

They'll fit, they will just only have one or two inches of shaft left for up travel before they're bottomed out. I ran them for a while before I added a leaf.

 

When you measured, was your axle all the way bottomed out (on the bump stop)? If not, find a loading ramp at an industrial park or something (on the weekend, lol) and drive it up the ramp so your articulation is fully maxed out (one wheel off barely the ground), then measure again.

The 4600's and 5100's are essentially identical as far as valving/performance, it's just that the 5100's are longer to accommodate lifts.

I went to DSM's site and took a look. It's interesting that DSM says the 5100's (rear) are good for 1" lift, as everything I've read says they should be fine for zero lift. There is, of course some conflicting reports out there. I just read a few ToyotaNation threads where guys with 5100s and no lift did just fine. I've also seen the shocks sold for 2nd gen Tacos are 0-1.5" of (rear) lift, but that's of course different than a 1st gen...

So I can understand your confusion...

While I have a lift shackle in the back (1.5 or 2" longer than stock), my springs are so worn out it's probably just back up to stock height, maybe a 1/2" higher(?)... My 5100's aren't bent (and I've bottomed out the rear getting a little "frisky" on the back roads).

 

Ahh gotcha that makes sense thanks for the info.

I was parked flat on my driveway when I measured no articulation at all. Yea everywhere I've looked it says the 1'' is needed but I don't see why it wouldn't work especially after reading what vern650 said. I think it will just be compressed a little more all the time which hopefully doesn't cause damage. I live in flat Florida the most I ever see is the occasional wet field so I'm not real worried about the loss of travel. Who knows maybe ill just do an AAL and get little bigger tires, just don't really want to effect the trucks performance.

 

As long as you aren't hitting big hi speed bumps that are gonna jar the rear axle up to the point the shocks bottom out you'll be fine

 

I have the 5100s on the rear on stock leaf packs. They do work but like vern650 said there’s little uptravel left. The problem is you’ll bottom out before you hit the bumpstop. You can modify the bumpstops but the 5100s aren’t ideal with no lift in the rear. 5125s are supposed to be better suited

 

So up until I read this I didn’t know the 5125 existed. So would these ones be the correct fit for my truck then? It just seems odd to me those are good for 0-3 inches of lift but the 5100 need atleast 1” of lift to even work. What’s the difference between the two of them that gives the 5125 that much more of range I guess? Where I can still lift the rear or have stock. Why does the 5100 even exists if there’s the 5125 that gives the option to be stock or lifted?

The more I think about it seems like maybe I should just do an AAL. I do tow an 18 foot flats boat occasionally or have the bed loaded down with my Dirtbike and riding gear.

 

A few measurements from when i installed my 5100 on the front set to the highest setting with stock TRD springs, I all ready had a local shop put helper springs in the rear to help with dirt bikes and sleds on stock length trd shocks. I also have 265 70 16 general grabber 2 tires ....

Hope this helps

02 tacoma v6 4x4

 

OP is wondering about the rear, not the front. Did you happen to get measurements on the rear when you were there?

 

The 3 and 5 pictures are of the rear of the truck after the lift

Edit: pictures are before and after the install of 5100

 

I think I’m going to go ahead and order the 5100 set and if I’m not happy with the ride or they don’t fit I’ll go ahead and do AAL in the rear and get coils in the front to help raise up to compensate for the 1-2” in the back

 

The 5100s should work fine if you’re doing an AAL.

 

5100's with a topper. Nice level ride.doesnt feel like a old horse buggy..

 

Stock coils in the front?

 

Yes sir.stock leafs in rear also