New 5100's and IM NOT HAPPY!!!

So I saved up a butt load of money to finally buy the coveted Total Chaos UCA's and 5100's all the way around. I was ditching my Tough country 2.5" spacer lift with 3/8" top plate for the 5100's at 2.5 thinking I was going to get close to the same amount of lift.

HERE IS MY PROBLEM!

It turns out .5" makes a big difference, so I had some body rub from my tires at half turns (285/70/17 wheels have 4.5bs). To solve this I put the 3/8" top plate spacers on to give the extra lift needed to barely clear and get as close to 3" as possible. Yet Im still experiencing a bad case of the "Rubs."

WHY I'M UPSET!

Since switching to the 5100's at 2.5 with a 3/8" top plate I now have an even worse case of "the lean." Close to a full inch drop on driver side! I didn't have this problem as bad before with just the spacer lift (preloading, with top plate). I've read a lot about not mixing lifts with 5100's due to messing up suspension or getting WAY too much lift.

MY IDEA

So without spending anymore money I figured I could set my 5100's at .885 (or whatever the second setting is) Put my tough country spacer back on, and only use the 3/8" top plate on the driver side. If I am thinking correctly than that should put me back to being close to 3" or a tiny bit over with enough lift on the driver side to compensate for the "lean."

Is this correct? Also what is the difference in using the 5100 at the 2.5" setting to preload the coil for lift compared to setting the 5100 at "0" and preloading with a spacer for lift?

 

Your still preloading the springs at 2.5 setting and those springs arent meant for that. You need new coils to support the heavier shocks. Eibach's and 5100s at .85 should put you close to 3". Do not at any cost put the spacer back on with the 5100s....the springs can't handle that. Also, the uca's can change your caster and cause rubbing, it needs to be adjusted. Mine are adjusted to 3 degrees, so I would suggest an alignment and adjust accordingly.

 

What if I was to set the 5100's at .85 an put a 2.5" top plate spacer on so its not adding to the preload?

My last alignment shows passenger side caster at 3.1 and driver side at 2.5.

Ill have to look into the new coils. Where is the best place to buy the coils?

 

Did the springs go back on the same side as they came off?

Edit: Chris4x4 FTW

 

yeah, I guess I could pull the complete shock assembly off both sides and swap.

 

x2

 

Ok after doing some more searching im sold on the 885's. I just need to find them at a descent price.

 

So I am guessing in the span of 14 minutes you didnt try swapping the spring first?

 

I ran toytec spacer lift with 5100s set at .75 on my 05 and it road great

 

Also I am wondering why your caster is so far off. Wouldnt the 2.5 on the drivers side put the wheel closer to the cab? I thought one of the points of UCA's was to be able to get aligned better with lift. Now my alignment is way off but Im LT so I gave up the chance at alignment awhile ago. But I would think his caster numbers should be able to get closer

 

Ill try swapping sides before ordering new coils.

 

What size spacer? 2.5?

 

X3

 

no its 3" the toytec basic kit with 5100s and i had ride rite airbags in rear to fix the "taco lean".

 

Get the adjusters and coil from toytec...then they will be coilovers

 

I did billies set at 0 with OME 885's and new UCAs. I had a 1/4" top plate spacer put on the driver's side only to get rid of the lean and it sits perfectly level and I'm almost at 3" of lift with a great ride.

 

^^ That's it right there! Then get the caster dialed in till there's no more rubbing!

 

Ordered the 885's from rocky road outfitters, I'm not sure now if I should set my 5100's at .85 or 0 when they come. Ill get my truck in and the caster fixed after I put the coils on. I want to be as close to 3" as possible.

 

Leave them at 0 with the 885's, as they will provide 3" without any assistance from the 5100's.