About to do 5100's but have a question

Ok, so I'm about to get some 5100's all around for the truck, but I have a couple questions. First; do I need to replace the front UCA's? I've noticed that almost everyone who has a lift replaces them but I'm not sure why.
Secondly; I have read that doing the 5100's leaves you with only 1" of down-travel. Is this true? And what is down-travel? Does that mean there will only be 1" of "compression stroke" for the front suspension? I really want to lift the truck a couple inches but if it's gonna ride stiff or like crap I don't want to go this route because it's my daily driver.

Thanks -Tony

 

What setting do u want to put the 5100's to?

 

Pretty sure the down travel is the rebound stroke (i think) I have 5100's waiting for me at the post office, can't wait!

 

Down travel is the distance the shock can extend when the load is lifted off the tire (like when you hit a bump or the tire comes off the ground. Limited down travel means the shock will bottom out and make noises and potentially break. I'm not sure how much DT you have with the 5100s
UCAs allow for alignment specs to be corrected for taller lifts (like 2.5" and greater). You may or may not need them depending on how high you want to set your 5100s. But changing them out can pretty much never hurt and it's easier to do them all at once than to try piece by piece.

 

^ well said. However, I have my Tundra 5100s set at 2.5 and I have plenty of flex in my shocks. No worries man. Guys have been using them for a long time now. Also, you may wanna ad a small bead of JB weld under the retaining ring if you really abuse them.

 

I would defenatly run them at the max setting. I don't really do any "hard core" off roading, I'm just after the lifted look really. Are front spacers like the toytec kit a good thing for someone who does light off road and mostly street driving? If so I think that what I'm gonna do.

 

Just get the 5100's and put them at 2.5 setting (the top groove) You should still have plenty of down travel...like at least 1.5". You might have to get new UCA's at that height if you can't get the alignment corrected after. Chris4x4 said thay you shouls have at least 1.8 caster or else the truck will wander on the HWY. I have 2.6" of lift in the front and was just able to eek out 2.0 caster. You might get lucky like me. I would stay away from the spacer lifts...

 

Why do you say to stay away from the spacer lifts?

 

Just search on here for peoples opinions on them...they are not well liked. The 5100's are not much more, and are a better way to go in mine, and a lot of others opinions.

 

^^^^ Yes ! Most likely your going to get a better ride out new brand new billies other than cramming a spacer in your strut. Read the forums. Downsouth motor sports has untouchable prices on those shocks. Anyone interesting in doing a group buy for billies?(if it offers a good benefit)

 

Indeed. Talk to Sonny at Down South Motorsports. $283 for all 4 shocks (front/ rear).

 

So if I only have 1.5" of down travel, and I run over speed bumps too fast, and the shock extends all the way (because most speed bumps are more than 1.5") I could potentially end up with a broken shock? Am I understanding this correctly?

 

It will be fine. There are tonnes of guys on here that have 2.5-3" of lift (which leaves you with 1" down travel) and they are fine...I wouldn't worry about it. The spacers do the same thing, but leave you with a rough ride...

 

Ok, so I'm about to order a set but if there's a chance I might need new UCA's I'm not gonna do it. So how likely is it that I will need them for my truck not to wander all over the place while driving? Because $300 for 2.5" is ok with me, but with UCA's it brings it to just under $900 which is too much for 2.5" I think.

 

i ordered 5100's yesterday i got them today in the mail from down south defintly go with them!!!!!

 

Bro' , get the 5100's front & rear, get them installed & get on with your 'Taco life.

It's my opinion & my understanding that the 2.5" lift is the max you can get with the stock UCA's & still achieve decent alignment when you're done....

 

Totally agreed. 5100's are the way to go. I've ridden in spacer lifted trucks and the ride sucks. I just put 5100s at 2.5 on my DC with some 285's and love it. I only bottomed the shock out once and that was cause I was Baja'in through a plowed field and hit a hole. No problems with alignment either other than just a tick off on the caster like previously said. It's not really enough to notice IMO. And def go with Sonny at DSM. They rock.

 

I just ordered a set from DSM also, just got them in the mail yesterday but wont be able to get them on till next weekend, their price is untouchable, im setting mine at .85 to level the truck out

 

Every truck is different, so you might not be able to get a perfect alignment which is the 0 toe, 0 camber, and 2.4 caster. I have 2.6" of lift, and my caster is at 2.0, which is where it was the last time I had an alignment about 9 months ago. My truck drives no different than it did before the lift...just a little firmer, but nice. If your really worried about the alignment, then put them at the 1.75 setting. Lots of guys got 2" of lift on that setting from what I read. It's up to you, but the 5100's are a great product, and at $283 for all four it's a steal!

 

Here is mine with 5100's at the middle setting and AAL in the rear..