5100 shocks

Would simply replacing just my shocks with 5100 adjustables only and not doing full coil overs and leaf springs be an adequet route of lifting my 13 sport?

My priorities are capability without wallet breaking performence and stance aesthetics. That's it. Not really an off roader but would like the option for little more than basic trails.

 

1. The 5100s in the front can be set to up to 2 1/2" but 2" is best as stock a-arms can still be used and front end aligned and use your stock coils (that's what I did).
2. As for the rears 5100 do not add anything to height they are only shocks. As such to get lift you need to replace the rear springs. Stock springs are too soft and adding blocks will only create more driveline problems. Read the suspension posts there are a ton with good advice.

Going cheap will cause more problems than you want to deal with long-term so either do it right or leave it alone.

 

+1
You can go up to .85 on the front 5100's to level your truck, but if you go past that you will have some bro lean if you don't do anything to the rear. Many folks on here choose 5100's at 1.75 with a 1.5" AAL in the back for a mild lift without breaking the bank.

 

I have bilstein 4600s on all shocks currently.
Would it be illadvised to keep those in the back and level her out with the 5100s up front?

 

You might not need an alignment. I just installed 5100s last week and the steering didn’t change at all

 

You did 5100s up front and something different in the back?

Also, the previous owner apparently liked to go mudding alot. Long story short, the camber adjustment is seized and can't be brought to absolute perfect dead center. This worries me.

 

I did 5100s front and back with the icon 3 leaf pack

 

What'd that cost, if I can ask? Also, how did that leave your stance at the end?

 

The 4 bilsteins cost me $310 and I got the leaf pack for 80 bucks off offer up. Stance wise the front is the same besides the 2.5 inch lift

 

This is actually common on Tacomas. You can pull the camber through bolts and clean off all the surface rust they'll most likely be covered in with a wire wheel. You can also run a pipe brush through the LCA and clean those out as well. If everything looks like it's still in decent enough shape to reinstall, you can give the whole assembly a light coat of grease and throw them back in.

Side note: you may also want to check that the alignment cam tabs aren't bend or completely flat. Those can be upgraded with the Total Chaos kit.

 

This forum was a great idea to start capitalizing on. You guys are awesome.

Thank you for that tip!

But to get maybe a few more responses, I'd like to reiterate one of the original questions.

5100s up front (just shocks) to level out. Is that cutting too many corners to spare my wallet?

Also, I want to make sure I know what I currently have correctly. My shocks are yellow and blue and say Toyota AND bilstein on them. They look just like the 4600s. Is that what I have or a lesser product sold by toyota? They were what came when I acquired her.

 

Yellow and blue are OEM components made by Bilstein for Toyota.

 

Are they capable enough to keep?

 

"Capable" is subjective. They're good enough for old man Toyota to sell his trucks with, but I don't think he foresaw us cutting them up and dragging them over rocks either.

 

You don’t get an alignment after lifting because of steering, you get an alignment to fix camber mostly and caster.

 

4 fresh 5100s. Got it. would it be too much corner cutting for reasonable capability and a more pleasing look to stop there and call it a day?

 

I got the 5100’s up front all stock set at 1.75 nothing in the rear that was recommended to me here a while ago. Perfectly level. The space from the top of the tire to the wheel well is easy on the eye and when you look at the bottom of the truck on level ground it’s level. Truck has a nice stance now. Good luck

 

Thank you! That's what I was hoping to hear. we'll see if a compelling counter point pops up here before I go be impulsive.

 

Get the 5100's, add OME coils to the front (probably 2885's) which are $175 and a 3 leaf AAL in the rear which are around ~$180 depending on who's brand you get. You have a 2.5" lift that works well and is cost effective..

I dont think preloaded 5100's with stock coils up front ride very well.

 

But isn’t your steering affected due to camber and caster being out of place?