3rd gen 5100's w/ AAL

I was (still am?) unsure too. There's a lot of conflicting information on this on the internet and Tacomaworld, and even in this thread.

Headstrong seems really respected on here, so I'm apt to follow their word. I mean, I said I was more than willing to buy new shocks in my email to them and they said I would be fine with the standard length 5100s I already had.

 

I'm not going to be wheeling a brand new truck so I just want a little more clearance for my wheel and tire package. Most it'll see is some seasonal roads which don't get a lot of maintenance.

 

Pretty much the same here. I also just want a little more clearance and to slightly increase the hauling capacity. I'm getting a shell for the back and use the truck to haul heavy stuff on occasion.

 

All three of us were/are in the same boat concerning the Progressive AAL. I did the 5100's 4th notch with factory coils and Head Strong Progressive AAL in the rear and I'm very happy with every aspect of the ride and lift except I didn't seem to get full 1.5" in the rear. I'm adding a home made 3/8" aluminum block to bring the rear up just a tad. I went 3/8" because we had 3/8 x 2.5" Aluminum bar stock at work and it should get me the full 1.5" rear lift that I desired. FYI, even with the added 3/8" block I can still utilize the factory U bolts (close to maxed out).

 

Did you notice a drastic ride improvement after installing 5100's? Which Old Man Emu springs will give me the best ride comfort - looking for a smoother ride.

 

Smoother ride compared to what? My TRD OR rode nice and smooth but the body roll was excessive for me. 5100's resolved this. My truck still rides nice but is a little more firm.

I used my factory coils. If you're not adding weight to the front (bumper & wench) and only doing 1.5 or 2" lift then you don't really need to change coils. If you do plan to add a bumper and wrench then you need to discuss which coils to purchase that best suit your needs.

 

Just finished my lift. After and before pics. 5100s all around. 4th clip on the front gave me about 1.75" and a Torch AAL in the rear is sitting at 2.25". I carry about 300lbs in the back all the time so it restored my rake.
It rides really nice. 100% better than the stock sport suspension. Even my wife noticed it. Rides firm but controlled and cushioned.

 

^^^this^^^. You don’t need new coils if you’re not gonna put a ton of weight in front. I do have a receiver and occasionally push my trailer in, also keep a heavy E-bike and rack on there sometime while traveling with no issues.

 

I bought the standard 5100s. I don't do any real off roading so I had no need for anything extra. Why I kept factory coils as well.

 

The only issue with the front coils is they’ll be soft when stopping, but it’s not a big deal. I off-road a lot with mine and my truck is a pig with all I put in it.

 

Sounds like weight may be a factor. On my stock weight TRD OR, the 5100's (alone) drastically changed my nose dive when braking.... in addition to body roll. I'm running factory coils.

 

you can put the overload back in for the full 1.5”? That’s an option. I know it advertises 1.5” with the overload out.

 

I could do that but I'm going to add some 3/8" blocks that I made from Aluminum. I'm pretty conscience of weight and the OL's would add 12 lbs each. 3/8" might sound like an odd size but .375 x 2.5" AL is a size of material we have on hand at work and it will also allow me to use my OEM U-bolts(which will be maxed out). Its strange that I didn't seem to get the full 1.5" rear lift but the dimensions to my fenders show right around 1" difference from front to rear(stock showed close to 1.5"). This 3/8" block will get me to the 1.5" rear lift which will match my 1.5" front lift.... which is what I originally desired. I plan to bolt these blocks onto the bottom of my leaf pack later this week.

 

ahh gotcha!

 

Are those 265/75/16’s? Also where did you get your pro grille from?

 

FYI Stage 3 is up to $430 for a set of 4.

 

And they show 0 in stock.

 

I'm a bit shocked as to all the bad information in this entire thread. All the people claiming 5100's are bad, or ride rough, or are terrible shocks. Most of the comments in this thread are from people who have never run a set, and have no idea how to properly set up a suspension.

5100's, set on the second highest notch, with some new lift springs will be a quality ride, for the Taco owner on a budget. No, they won't perform offroad like a nice set of Coilovers, but for someone who just wants 2" of lift, better shocks, and a nice daily driver ride, they are the way to go.

 

what coils would you use on the 5100s on the second notch?

 

I'm currently running 600lb springs on the front of mine, no added weight, bit if you carry a bunch of extra weight, go up to a 650lb spring.