Bilstein 5100 Settings for dummies

Looks great. How’s the ride feel compared to your stock suspension?

 

Also, is the 1/4" spacer for drivers side lean neccessary if using the stock coil springs with the 5100's .. i thought i read once where the driver side spring was a bit stiffer to make up for the lean? Maybe that is not the case

 

I already had the 5100s on for a while set on the 2nd notch with the stock size tires. It stiffens up compared to the stock shocks but in a way I prefer. It no longer leans in turns like it did stock or nose dives when hitting the brakes hard. I don't notice any difference in ride with them set on the 3rd notch compared to the 2nd.

 

I'm using the stock coils. My truck was 1/2" lower on the drivers side. Even with the spacer its sitting about an 1/8" lower. I'm having it aligned tomorrow so we will see it that makes it perfectly even.

 

I just replaced a 5100 set and it was sagging a bit, so I bumped the left front to top clip and right front to 2nd from top, it balanced it out.

I would suggest measuring the fender heights front and rear and letting us know to help you with the ride height clip suggestion.

 

Perfect follow up question. Thank you.

DF 20 3/8. PF 20 3/8
DR 22. PR 217/8

That gives me 1.625 rake on driver and 1.5 passenger...essentially the same. And that's assuming accuracy in measure. Slightly left or right of plumb from center point of hub makes a difference because of fender curve, and easy to be off an eighth from center point of hub. But I've measured many times and I feel these are fairly accurate. I ordered from Headstrong on Saturday. Going to put Billies at 1.75 and 1inch block in the back. I was just really curious as to if starting point played into advertised result. And how my particular starting point will play into my particular result. Will I get more, less, or equal?

Really not the end of the world either way. Gonna be fun to see. Also have some Ray 10's sitting in the living room. Haven't changed a thing in 10 years... figured what the heck!

 

You won't

You won't gain 1.75 from factory, but it will likely give close to that from where it is now.

I'd say 1.75 is safe and will retain some factory rake. It's good that your truck is sitting level left to right.

 

Thanks for feedback! That's what I was thinking as well. I'll post up some measurements when it is done.

 

So I just ordered 5100s all the way around, and a wheelers off-road 1.5” AAL for my 2016 Tacoma 4dr short bed trd off road. My plan is set the front to position 4 for the 1.55” lift and then put the 1.5” AAL in the back to keep the factory rake for pulling a trailer I’ll be using the factory coils as well. Any thoughts on this or has anyone done this same set up. I want to avoid getting upper control arms and don’t need a massive lift. I’ll be running the 265/70r16 stock tires. I also do not want the truck leveled.

 

You should be good at 1.5” front lift. Good alignment tech is key also in lifted vehicles. Also knows about Tacoma’s would help. You will have rake with that set up. I agree trucks need rake. Not sure why people level these trucks
Good luck OP Keep me posted when you get it done

 

May want to go up to the 5th setting and for about a 1inch rake.

 

So this dummy took some stuff to a place today. Gonna do 5100's at 1.75 on stock coils. One inch block in the back. Going from original oem sport components. Should be ready on Monday. Will report back with as much relevant information as a dummy is capable of. Peace out...

 

So just got back from the shop. I haven't done four corner hub to fender measurements but the tech took a fender to floor measurement on their leveled platform and got 1.75 up front which is the setting we selected. My takeoff suspension was the original oem sport components with 151k. I was curious if the age of the takeoff would change the amount of lift advertised to actual. It did not. It drives better. Bumps are much less rough. Only have about 30 minutes behind the wheel so can't offer much else at this point. Overall super happy with the outcome! So far no complaints with the preload or the one inch block.

 

Looks great

 

Okay, so wasn’t really planning on a lift, but I put on new wheels and tires last week (gateway drug?). Bumped up to 265/70R17s and am getting a little rub in the front, and the tires just look a little large in the wells at this height IMO. Guessing 5100s could help solve both of these concerns (and improve the ride based on this thread), but I know nothing about lifts.

Not looking for anything dramatic height wise...just want a little more clearance and capability (for occasional off-road use). Also, would want to maintain factory rake. So what would be a recommended setup? What’s the deciding factor/s for adding a block vs adding a leaf in the rear?

 

Hi Erik,

I recently went through these same contortions. Have you taken hub to fender measurements yet? I was like you in that I wanted to keep some rake, but wanted to reduce a bit . I learned that it was helpful to know your starting point. I ended up with about half the rake I started with, and am happy. Our trucks are completely different with regard to age, but my ride improved even with the 'preload' at 1.75. I went with a block. Didn't mind spending more for an aal, but only wanted an inch of rear lift with my 265's, and don't mind buying twice if necessary. Haven't felt any negative from the block yet, so all good there so far.

Either way your truck looks great as is. Have fun with it and don't stress it.

 

OP
Lots of options for you. 5100’s all around front set at 1.1 of lift / rear nothing level look or 1.5” front you will want 1” block or you will be nose high. I have an aal but that’s up to you. Check this out. https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/24-263108.png

 

Just realized that this is a third gen thread and not a general suspension thread. Feel like an interloper...

 

Thanks for that input. No measurements taken yet. Guess I should figure that out...so it’s wheel hub to fender as the measure point?

 

Thanks. What are the positives and negatives to blocks and AALs?