Spacer Lift Out, 5100s In

Question to the all-knowledgeable: New-to-me 06 access cab currently with Revtek 1.5" spacers. I'm throwing them out and installing Bilstein 5100s. In order to keep the truck fairly level (1.25" rear blocks) what setting should I put the 5100s at?

 

Access cab I'd say

4 drivers (due to sag and extra weight)
3 passenger

Those revtech spacers were brutal, the drive was awful when they were new. You'll see a large gain in ride quality.

 

Highest setting with stock coils. You’ll gain ride quality due to the 5100’s, not because of the spacers. Those spacers reduce travel and can bind your BJs at full droop (generally if 2” or more), but since they dont change the spring rate, ride quality in normal driving conditions is unchanged.

 

Thats not correct. 5100s create more lift by adding more preload to the spring by moving the lower spring perch up. The shock stays the same length. 5100s on the highest setting rides like ass. Ask me how I know.

 

Ah, nice thought on the different settings. Forgot to consider the sag.

I definitely look forward to the improved ride quality over the spacer lift.

 

5100s on the top-notch ride like shit. Tons of threads on the subject. It really won't ride much better than what you have now.

5100s @ top notch that bad? | Tacoma World

 

Thanks for the heads up! I have read that several times, and Bilstein doesn't recommend the highest setting for access cabs anyway.

 

I was not addressing the 5100’s, but your statement is partially incorrect. The coil is preloaded before the assembly is installed in the truck, but once installed, the weight of the truck is what compresses the spring. I had 5100’s set on the highest setting with oem coils. I felt no difference. If you did, there were other factors in play.

 

Shocked that after being on a 1.5 spacer lift that the truck isn't totaled.

 

@Chuy

I get that but the preload has to do with the spring being compressed...PRE-load. You posted the image lol look the image to the right. " Spring compresses more at each setting" The picture is with the shock out of the truck.

You are pretty much the only person who has ever said the truck rides no different on the higher setting. Look a few post up. Even the OP says he has read the same thing several times. Out of the hundreds of threads on the subject 99% of people agree the ride quality suffers the higher you go with the 5100s on a 2nd or 3rd gen Tacoma. Mostly noting the truck is terribly stiff on the top setting. I had the same issue. There are no other factors lol. Truck was stock with 65k on it. I lowered my truck back down to the 1.85 and the ride is still a bit stiffer than stock. A basic google search will bring up a TON of TW threads on this.

 

@fourfourone Once the truck is lowered, the image on the right is moot. Image on the left shows the coil compression is identical regardless of the height setting. Im only showing the science and misconception of coil preload. Cant explain other factors.

 

I don't want to argue bud, but you are wrong. Search around online. There are much better explanations than I can type.

And again, I'm not sure how you can be the only person who doesn't notice a ride quality difference.