Question about 5100 in the rear

I know the answer is in here 100,000 times but I have read so much my head hurts and my eyes are crossed.
Can someone please give me a Go or NoGo answer to the following scenario.

I picked up a full set of 5100's today. Got a deal buying all 4.
I'm going to lift my truck in 2 steps due to cash flow. The ultimate goal will be 3" lift all the way around.

For now I want to lift the front a little just to level my truck out.
I intend on doing this by using the stock springs set at either the 2nd or 3rd ring on the shock.

Now the issue I have is the rear. Can I install the rear 5100's now, with no additional work to the rear or should I just keep them off until I have the rest of the parts for the final install.
Basically will I screw anything up by installing the rear 5100's now.

If it maters I will be taking my truck off road after this initial install.

 

You can install them.

But the 5100s in the rear aren't long enough for 3" lift in the rear. You need 5125s or B110s.

 

You will have no problem installing them, if you want to achieve a 3" lift all around you wanna get a add a leaf kit to raise the rear, avoid blocks if at all possible. The front set at .85 will level it out with about 1/4" rake left

 

since you're already at it, can you explain the difference between the two?

 

Not sure what that means but it's wrong. Shocks don't lift.

 

5100s are stock length shocks with a maximum lift of 2 inches.

5125s are for 2-3 inches of lift.

B110s are for 3-4 inches of lift.

 

Short term goal is to level the front and gain a little extra clearance in the front. I was thinking of adding the 5100s in the rear because 1. I have them 2. Ride comfort.
Long term goal for the lift would be around 3" lift all the way around after saving up for new coils, UCAs, spring pack, rims, 32" or 33" tires, ect. ect. all the stuff needed to do the lift correctly. Before the final lift I will have bumpers, sliders, armor. I like looks but I want function.

Now the new questions; (when I thought I finally had it figured out)
1. Are the 5100s my best option for the rear in the long run? Seems like that answer is NO
2. Should I return the 5100s and exchange for 5125s or B110s?
3. Does the improvement in ride comfort justify installing the 5100s now and add the other shocks to the list of items needed in the future? (the price of the 5100s are not bad in the larger schema of things)

Keep in mind this is a daily driver (60 miles a day) but I want to be able to play hard on the weekends at least a couple times a month, and I enjoy crawling up and over stuff more than splashing around in mud.

 

If you are going to go more than 2" in the rear ( you've already said 3" ) than yes, you will need to return them and get the 5125's.

If you are going to keep it at stock height, than keep the 5100's.


JT

 

DECISION MADE!:
5100 in the rear now.
5125 in the future (1-2 years)

Thank you for all the information and help.

 

hope you don't mind if I toss in a question here lol
1. what would be the better shock option to pair with a set of Dakars in the rear?
2. to have the front sit level, or as minimal rake as possible, what would be the recommended front end set-up?

keep in mind as much as I fantasize about taking it off road, to be honest it will be more of a mall crawler then anything else lol

 

OK ill take a swing at this one.
This answer is from someone who has not even installed my own shocks yet.
But I will give what I believe would be a good setup for your situation based on my reasearch.

5100s all around.
Front with factory coils set at 1.85, 3rd ring up.
If you are only on the road, why are you going to spend the money on the rear springs? If you just want looks you could save some money with a set of blocks.

Those with experience please correct me if needed.

 

Thanks for the input, much appreciated. I do understand that blocks are certainly the more cost effective way but I really don't mind spending the money to do it, ill say, properly. not that blocks are improper, just how I feel haha I never know what I may do with my truck in the future and I would rather have a good off roading set up just in case, rather than find myself looking back and wishing I had done it differently. I have also found in my time of research that 5100's aren't the best shocks to pair with dakars. 5100 are only good for 1inch lift in rear but dakars typically get you 2.5 to 3 if you don't take any leafs out. that's what I gathered anyways lol all the information on here is quite over whelming haha

 

^ I believe you can purchase extended length 5100 shocks from @HeadStrong Off-Road that will work with the full pack Dakars.

 

I do believe you are correct, just have to make sure you order the right ones I guess haha I'm opting for All Pro Standards instead of the Dakars, with no weight in the rear i've heard that the all pros wont give me as much of a stiff ride and pair them with some Extended ICON's

 

If you go with the extended travel rear 5100s or similar shocks get longer brake lines as well. With a Wheelers 3 leaf progressive, TSB leaf pack and extended 5100s my rear axle will drop beyond the limit of the stock brake lines.

 

@crazysccrmd thank you, those sir are indeed on the list