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Newbie: Another Billy thread...

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by bbtank45, May 25, 2011.

  1. May 25, 2011 at 5:47 AM
    #1
    bbtank45

    bbtank45 [OP] Member

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    I feel like im beating a dead horse asking a question/s like this, but you guys may have some insight as to what fits my application...


    Need to get some new shocks in the front (at least) and would like to put an AAL in the rear to help reduce some of the "driveline clunk". I see that everyone swears by Billstein 5100's, but im not really doin any trail riding or 4 wheelin where i really need a "high performance" shock..... would youo guys still recommend a set of bilsteins for all 4?

    Also, i would like to keep my truck to as close to stock height as possible but i am not against it lifting minimal amounts in the end (after an AAL in the rear and a set of shocks and springs in the front). It seems that everyone also swaps out there factory springs with Eibach.... how necessary is this to do as well?

    Overall, just lookin for a quality product that will last a decent amount of time (truck only have 109k) and fit my application.....90% highway driving.

    Apologize to any1 who gets annoyed by this question, but thanks again ahead of time.

    Ben B.
    Cincinnati, OH
     
  2. May 25, 2011 at 6:11 AM
    #2
    Bryan139

    Bryan139 I have a spectacular aura

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    I cut some wires here. Added some wires there.
    The 5100's everybody is using are for lift. They're either setting the 5100's at 2.5, 1.75, etc and getting 2.5" of lift out of them or setting them at 0 and using the Eibach or OME coils for the lift. Either way, it's all for lift. You could get shorter coils and set the 5100's at 0 and not get any lift, but there are less expensive ways to not get a lift. You could probably get an AAL for the rear and whatever the OEM replacement shocks are for the front all for the price of just the 5100's for the front. I don't know if an AAL in the rear with stock replacements in the front would make your truck sit high in the rear though. There are more expierenced guys that will be around sooner or later. You could also find most answers you're looking for searching, just be sure to click where it says 'titles only' or whatever.

    Also, look around the Buy/Sell/Trade forum, guys sell almost new stock shocks all the time when they lift their trucks. Probably not for '99s though. I'm not even sure if the 5100's work on '99.
     
  3. Jun 2, 2011 at 12:21 PM
    #3
    bbtank45

    bbtank45 [OP] Member

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    Appreciate the response.
     
  4. Jun 2, 2011 at 12:21 PM
    #4
    bbtank45

    bbtank45 [OP] Member

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    So, if i dont want to spend the big bucks on the Bilstein's.... what would some of my other options be?..... cheaper of course.
     
  5. Jun 2, 2011 at 12:26 PM
    #5
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    What do you mean by "driveline clunk?" It's not clear what problem you're trying to solve. What are the symptoms?
     
  6. Jun 2, 2011 at 12:29 PM
    #6
    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.

    The 5100's are really the cheap way to go and still have a good product. You can pick up a set of all 4 for 299.00 from downsouthmotorsports.com. I think they even have a set for no lift with the 5125's in the rear.
     
  7. Jun 2, 2011 at 12:31 PM
    #7
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    How old is your truck? It appears that maybe what you're looking for is just to replace worn out shocks and springs. In that case, your bottom line cheapest option is going to be to buy someone else's factory springs and shocks that they took off when they put on a lift - hopefully local to you so you don't have to pay shipping.
     
  8. Jun 2, 2011 at 1:06 PM
    #8
    bbtank45

    bbtank45 [OP] Member

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    A little new to the Taco world, been a diesel guy my whole life. I actually got the clunk figured out.... it was the notorious axle wrap.

    Thanks. If i go with the 5100's (all the way around front and rear) that will require an AAL, Correct? but if i go with the 5100's up front and the 5125's in the back i will not need an AAL correct? I ran bilsteins for a while on a race truck i had (twin turbo Cummins) but eventually jumped over to a set of QA1's. Just tryin to get a handle on what fits and will work for my application. Im just not looking for a lifted truck.... the truck stays on pavement the majority of the time, communting 60 miles each way from work to home.

    My truck is a 99 XtraCab. Ill look around.... guess i cant be such a tight ass sometimes. Thanks for the help man.
     
  9. Jun 2, 2011 at 1:33 PM
    #9
    DblCabMN

    DblCabMN Well-Known Member

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    Mpls, Minnesota
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    Bilstein 5100's all around - Toytec/Eibach 112-620 Coils, Wheelers 5-Pack+Wheelers 2"AAL. 33x10.5x15 KM2s - Siped on Summit Racing 84-5883 rims with 3.750 BS. 4.88s. Demello HD round sliders. Home built full skids. Home built front bumper. Plasti'd badges. Energy Susp. steering rack bushings. Sway bar delete. Deck plate mod. aFe Pro-Dry. Gibson exhaust.
    I think users scocar mentioned he's selling his billy's with only about 7k miles on 'em soon.

    It might be worth a PM to get the details from him. FWIW - i ditched my stock shocks and leafs at a hair over 100k miles for a full 5100 setup +Wheelers 5-pack leafs... and i love it. I've got 5100's in the front with OME881 coils and love the ride and the 'modest' lift. But i have the V6 Double Cab so i've got weight you don't.
     

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