So ditched the spacers and moved to the bilsteins 5100's

So like the title states made the jump from the dreaded spacers to 5100's all around. Fronts are set at 2.5 and the back received a 2" procomp add a leaf. All I can say is I am really kicking my self for not going this route sooner, night and day difference. Leveled the truck perfectly. Currently running a set of stock 17s with 265/70-17 Revo 2.

 

Stock UCA's still? How'd your alignment go?

Time for new tires

 

I did same but now I regret it as my tires are rubbing, did some trim but still rub, thinking of setting the Bil's to 0 and restoring the 3" spacer.

 

Had no issues what so ever getting it aligned. It is on the stock UCA's. The spacer had them at a funky angle but with the new set up almost looks like it did from the factory. Here's a ok picture of the UCA. No rubbing and no issues.

Sadly the tires are only a few weeks old. But I'm looking at getting new wheels and going to 285/70-17. And just keeping the wheels and tires that are on there now as backups.

 

Gotta do what is needed. For me the spacers rode bad and caused some strange noises and the spacer was causing some odd vibes. After vides are pretty much gone, except for just a slight shudder on take off but I think that's mostly from the carrier bearing being almost shot. What tire and wheel combo are you running? If you don't mind me asking.

 

OP, did you keep your stock coils or go with aftermarket ones?

 

They are the stock ones. Will be going to OME coils when I replace the front bumper, but for now just the stockers.

 

^^^^^^ Thanks ^^^^^

 

^ your quite welcome. As a side note to those running spacers, when they were installed last Monday all shocks and struts were fine upon removing them both of the fronts were blown and one of the shocks was toast. I think it was mostly due to them being factory and having 106xxx miles on them. But in less than a week I managed to destroy 2 struts and a shock with no real off road time in there minus one afternoon driving fire roads to get to some fishing spots. I have to assume that the spacers had so thing to do with the struts going out. Now the shock that one went out when driving over a curb I know that one was directly related to it being over extended due to the crappy shocks and a 2.5" lift. Had planned to swap them out eventually but this just moved the time line forward a bit.

 

I'm next! With 17's you must have a sport too. Looking forward to your results.

 

It started its life as a gulf coast edition sr5. So not a sport just a set of wheels I picked up along the way here's a pic with the lift and 265/70-16 factory wheels. They look tiny.

 

I just did the same set up 5100's and AAL. when I went to alignment the shop I couldn't get the caster angle right. 1.0 for left and 1.2 right thats about as close as I could get it. How close did you get yours?

 

Alignment sheet is in the glove box and my truck is at Toyota getting the carrier bearing replaced at the moment been shot for a while finally got them to admit that that was causing the slight shudder at take off. So thumbs up for warranty. Also replacing the u-joints all free of charge. So in short I'll see if I can get you an answer as soon as it comes off the lift.

 

Which 5100's and add a leaf did you get. I have a 13 Sport DC with the OEM Bilstines but I have to get this ride up in the air some. I already have 17's under it.

 

I used the BILSTEIN 5100 Series and Pro comp AAL. (Paid like $600 here in Hawaii) and that gave me plenty of room with 265/75R16. I would also look at UCA's to get the alignment right, and new rims with a zero offset to move the tire away from the UCA a bit. anything wider then 265 will rub with out any mods.

 

Thanks, I will start the hunt now

 

Get the grinder out!

 

Go big or go home!

Or keep them the same, doesnt matter lol

 

So decided to stay at 265/70-17 got a pretty good deal on a set of fj cruiser wheels with bfg's already on them so will be staying with this size for a while. In my opinion looks a 1000x's better withe fj wheels. Now just waiting for one of mother natures little speed bumps to run out in front of me for an excuse to buy a new bumper. Here's a after the wheel pic.

 

Close up of the wheels