1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Bilstein 5100 middle groove setting

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by BDP, Aug 20, 2010.

  1. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:09 PM
    #1
    BDP

    BDP [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2010
    Member:
    #41997
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Taco PreRunner Stepside V6
    OK, first off hello everyone.:wave:
    I'm a long time lurker first time poster

    I just purchased a set of Billy 5100 fronts and 5125 rears but have yet to install these puppies.

    I have read EVERY post regarding the Bilstein 5100's on Tacoma world. I got a lot of helpful info. Thanks.

    Still, I am not confident on what my options are as far as the middle setting on my struts. I know the first notch is 0" and the 3rd notch is 2.5 more or less. But what is the middle setting going to do to my truck and how many inch(s) am I going to get? Everyone is saying they get different results. Some say 1.75in, others 1in, another person said 1.25in. WTF? :confused:

    The reason I'm asking is because at the very least I want my truck level, and at most a SLIGHT "bro" look on the middle groove is fine.
    That being said, If the middle setting gives a slight "bro" look, I am cool with that. On the flip side, if I am still "stink bug" I will be pissed. So if "stink bug is the case with the middle setting, then I will say fuck it and just go with the full on 2.5in "bro look".:rant:

    Feedback anybody?

    Sorry for the long post. I hate when people post long ass posts like myself

    Thanks,
    -Paul:thumbsup:
     
  2. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:18 PM
    #2
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2009
    Member:
    #26726
    Messages:
    19,924
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    In a corn field, OH
    Vehicle:
    1990 Chevy Siveraydo
    245k+ miles, rust, working AC, bald eagles
    Your going to get about 1" on the middle setting, which will put you about level or maybe a little bit of the stink bug. The 2.5 will definitely put you in the bro lean range with stock rear leafs.

    welcome to tw.
     
  3. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:23 PM
    #3
    Taco76087

    Taco76087 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2010
    Member:
    #29458
    Messages:
    4,023
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Robert
    Weatherford,Texas
    Vehicle:
    04 Tacoma prerunner TRD SR5
    Rockford Fosgate p2 10'', Q-Logic Enclosure, JVC KD-PDR30 Ipod Connection, Rockford p200.2 Amp, Clear Corners, KING Coilovers, Rancho Rear shocks FJ TRD Trail Teams Wheels with 285/75/16 Duratracs
    Yep like Steve-o said, 1" which usually levels out the truck.
     
  4. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:33 PM
    #4
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2009
    Member:
    #19185
    Messages:
    23,542
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Doug
    Lakeside, Ca / Gardnerville, Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2004 DC TRD 4x
    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now

    Use the next to the last groove up to seat your coils & you'll get exactly what you describe , almost level with a slight rake (bro') in the front...see pics....

    bilstein_5100_adjustable_l.jpg
    DSC01390.jpg
    Web DSC01393.jpg
     
  5. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:33 PM
    #5
    BDP

    BDP [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2010
    Member:
    #41997
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Taco PreRunner Stepside V6
    Thanks for the replies:)

    Hey Taco79087, what setting did you use on your 5100's?

    And by "usually" about a 1in lift. Do you mean depending on how the truck is going to settle?

    Thanks,

    -Paul
     
  6. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:36 PM
    #6
    BDP

    BDP [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2010
    Member:
    #41997
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Taco PreRunner Stepside V6
    @4WD,

    You have four settings and I only have three.

    Whats up with that?

    Thanks,
    -Paul
     
  7. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:39 PM
    #7
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2009
    Member:
    #26726
    Messages:
    19,924
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    In a corn field, OH
    Vehicle:
    1990 Chevy Siveraydo
    245k+ miles, rust, working AC, bald eagles
    It depends on the configuration of the truck. You being pre runner will get a bit more lift than a 4x4

    All first gen ones should have 3 grooves. Mine did.
     
  8. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:41 PM
    #8
    BDP

    BDP [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2010
    Member:
    #41997
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Taco PreRunner Stepside V6
    Will I even notice a difference with the middle setting?

    Thanks,

    -Paul:rasta:
     
  9. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:41 PM
    #9
    Taco76087

    Taco76087 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2010
    Member:
    #29458
    Messages:
    4,023
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Robert
    Weatherford,Texas
    Vehicle:
    04 Tacoma prerunner TRD SR5
    Rockford Fosgate p2 10'', Q-Logic Enclosure, JVC KD-PDR30 Ipod Connection, Rockford p200.2 Amp, Clear Corners, KING Coilovers, Rancho Rear shocks FJ TRD Trail Teams Wheels with 285/75/16 Duratracs
    I set mine at 1" and it sits perfectly level.
     
  10. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:43 PM
    #10
    YotaComa

    YotaComa Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2009
    Member:
    #24892
    Messages:
    58
    Gender:
    Male
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2004 Tacoma Double Cab
    The picture that '4WD' posted is a bilstein 5100 series shock, but for a different vehicle.
     
  11. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:46 PM
    #11
    BDP

    BDP [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2010
    Member:
    #41997
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Taco PreRunner Stepside V6
    I wouldn't mind my lift looking about like yours.:cool:

    Thanks bud,

    -Paul


    got it!
     
  12. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:50 PM
    #12
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2009
    Member:
    #19185
    Messages:
    23,542
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Doug
    Lakeside, Ca / Gardnerville, Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2004 DC TRD 4x
    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now
    Hey Paul, you know what dude ? Enlarge that image of the Bilstein 5100 & count the grooves,, I actually have 5, thats right, 5 seperate settings for a total of 2.75" (assuming the first groove on the bottom is the stock height) , everyone says theres only 3 settings for a total of 2.5", another odd thing about the Billies is that there is NO ACTUAL APPLICATION for 1st gens. The 5100's I got from the distributor are application specific for the early Tundras of all things & I was told this by the Bilstein Distrib. I bought them from... Go figure huh......
     
  13. Aug 20, 2010 at 10:54 PM
    #13
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2009
    Member:
    #19185
    Messages:
    23,542
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Doug
    Lakeside, Ca / Gardnerville, Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2004 DC TRD 4x
    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now

    You are half right, the shock pictured is exactly the same shocks on my truck right now, but they are specific for early Tundras, Bilstein does not have a specific application for 1st gens.
     
  14. Aug 20, 2010 at 11:29 PM
    #14
    BDP

    BDP [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2010
    Member:
    #41997
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Taco PreRunner Stepside V6
    Yo 4WD,

    Indeed you do have 5 settings. Nice.

    I got mine from Downsouth motorsports and i wonder why they did not recommend or sell the 5 groove like yours???

    Hmmmmmmmm............:confused:

    Its always nice to have more options.

    BTW, Downsouth hooked me up. Thanks fellas.

    I think i am gonna roll with the second setting....Still thinking tho.

    Thanks,

    -Paul
     

Products Discussed in

To Top