Billies and springs???

Just bought some Billies for all around. Question is I see some run Eibach or Ome springs with that setup. Is it better to use an upgraded spring vs stock setup? Was orginally going to set the shocks to 1.75 setting with the stock spring but now i'm worried, I dont want to buy new upper control arms either.

 

I've got some 5100s getting installed on stock Sport springs as we speak. Everything i read/was told was that the stock Sport springs will be the softest ride with the 5100s. Like you, I don't want to mess with new UCAs, so I am doing the 1.75" too.

 

It's better to use coils to gain lift versus preloading your coilover setup.

 

let me know how it goes and how the ride feels.

 

Ive also heard this thats why I'm weary about it, but heard that with the sport spring set at 1.75 its not that bad, unless you go up to 2.5

 

The higher you go on the billies the stiffer it is going to be there is no way around it. I've never ridden with my billies at 1.75, but I can tell you I have Eibach's coils with my billies at .85 and it pretty much rides like stock only slightly stiffer.

 

So you probably have a full 3' lift, Did you get new upper control arms? Just looking for the better ride quality. If you set at 0 with Eibachs is that the same as 1.75 with stock springs.

 

I can't remember which is which (progressive vs linear), but I do know from reading on here that the Sport coils should not be nearly as adversely impacted by the 5100s as an Off-Road spring. From what I've heard, the ride should stay relatively the same as a 5100 at stock height. I will definitely update this thread when it's done.

 

I spoke a lot with Toytec, and they were adamant that the 5100s on stock coils at 1.75 would ride softer than the Eibachs with 5100 at 0. Especially with no extra weight (bumper, skids, etc) on the front. Hence why I went with the stock coils. I'm trying to decide between an AAL or Dakar leaf pack with the 3rd leaf removed for the rear to level it out (I want about an inch of rake in the rear).

 

I have about 2.5" of lift with my set up. I didn't "need" new UCA's but my alignment numbers are slightly off as I have too much positive camber. I will eventually get UCA's to fix it because I am anal like that. If you set the billies at 0 and get the Eibachs you will get 1.6" of lift.

 

So I cheaped/wussed out. I decided to back the 5100s down to 0.85" and keep my factory leaf pack untouched to both save money and avoid any CV/needle bearing/wheel bearing issues. I will still update this with my opinion on the ride with the 5100s.

Eventually, if my stock pack ever gives out (it still measures 22.5" on either side from hub to bottom of fender, which from what I've read is about stock), I'll upgrade and address all issues that come with a bigger lift. I know people talk about the stock leafs being weak (and if you wheel/tow alot, they probably are), but I have 125k on mine and they're still perfectly fine for my use, with no sagging.

 

Are you level? post some pics when you have time.

 

Truck is in the shop right now (a lot more being done than just the shocks), and I'm supposed to take a picture today. I will definitely post pics for you. My before measurements, from hub to bottom of fender, were 20.25" driver's front, 20.50" pass. front, 22.50" both rear.

 

Instead of setting the 5100's @ 1.75 w stock springs you could of got a set of ome 883 coils and set the 5100's @ 0 which would give you about 1.5 lift and are softer than the ebiach coils. Just another option and you wouldn't have any preload on the springs.

 

I have 5100s right now set at 1.75" on stock sport coils. Love the ride, much better going over bumps and offroading. I do want more lift though so I'll be ordering some OME 885s with an aal. I've talked to some guys on here who do run the 5100s at 2.5" and they have no complaints just FYI.

 

Curious also..

 

Frustrating day. They are having problems aligning the truck, so it's still at the shop. I'll update with pics when I get it.

 

Do you have a picture by the way.

 

In my gallery I have some pics

 

OK, I just got the truck back and here is a pic. The 5100s are set at 0.85" (I verified a couple times) on stock Sport coils w/ about 125k on them, although they have a ton of life left, so the mileage isn't a big deal. I've got right at about 1.5" of lift right now in the front, but I expect that to come down slightly as the shocks break in and settle a little bit, which would be perfect for me. If for some reason they don't, I will add a 1.5" AAL to the rear or try to find a TSB leaf pack (still my #1 option). Final measurements are DL = 21 3/4", DR = 21 7/8", rear around 22.0" exactly (I must have been on a slight slope earlier, I measured about 4 times). So I am almost exactly level at the moment. The ride is excellent...I actually noticed a bigger improvement than I thought I would.

If the picture makes it look like the front is a little high, it's just the angle I'm holding the camera (REAL quick photo). I didn't make a huge effort to get it perfectly level.