Bilstein 5100

Hey guys! I have a 2001 tacoma 4wd. I wanted to leveled it so I purchased some bilstein 5100 struts. After rebuilding the strut assembly with the new struts, the coils seemed extra tight. The struts I bought had 4 different settings which seems different than ive read on the other threads. I have it set at the highest setting. Anyone have any ideas on how hard it will ride? Ill be finishing it along with some other front end component's tomorrow.

 

Very harsh. You should have it on the lowest setting or the next above. I wouldn't go higher than the first two.

 

the new 5100s will give a little less lift and ride a bit better than the old ones at the top setting.

 

Pics of the front shocks ? And the 5100s you have should only have three settings not four . The 2nd Gen has four settings the first gen has three . I am running 5100s on all four corners and to level it out you should only go to the first setting if you're not raising the rear end

 

as of 2017 1st gen 5100s have been slightly redesigned and have 4 settings now. allthough the top setting is lower than the previous top setting.

 

Oh wow , did not know that , so what is the top one now ? Is it still 2.5 or is it 3 ?

 

Advertised as 2". Theres also new rcd version with 3 settings still. Top setting is 2.5" on those.

 

Hey guys thanks for the info! Got the 5100s all mounted up and aligned. After settling, my truck rides at, rear 37" and front 37.5" (measuring from the ground to the fender flares) I ended up using the 3rd highest setting. Truck rides very good now. It is definitely more stiff than before, but only when I hit small bumps in the road. If I hit bigger dips or drainage dips, it is super smooth. The truck doesnt feel terrible though, I wouldnt use the highest settings. 3rd setting is 1.33" I believe. Hope this helps the next guy!

 

All i can say is i love mine, for the price and what i needed and some of what was needed.
I would have gone with Kings but I don't need all that or even 6112.

But not necessary

 

I have 5100 on the full height. Rides great

 

I have 5100's with 4 positions. I have them on the top setting and they ride firm but smooth!

 

Agreed

 

Its a common misconception that preloading the coils makes the ride "stiffer". Preloaded or not the coil will be compressed the same amount at ride height (the amount it takes to hold the truck up). Only during the last amount of travel (equal to the amount lifted) is there more spring force then there would be before. During normal driving the extra harshness is mostly from the lack of downtravel.

 

Hey guys im back again new problem. My rear drums were warped so when I did the bilsteins I also bought new drums. The whole project I replaced lower control arm bushings, lower ball joints, bilstein 5100 struts and rear drums. The rear drums are still making a warped feeling when I brake. I know its the rears because it also happens when I pull the e brake to stop. Is this just because the surfaces on the brakes are also ruined? I soaked everything with brake cleaner hoping that the surfaces just werent connecting right. Its been about 200 miles of around town driving and still shaking when I stop. Any ideas?

 

Shaking in the steering wheel/ whole truckfreaks out??? That's usually your front rotors not drums

 

Yeah man the whole truck just shakes a bit. Ill probably just do the front brakes/rotors. The only weird thing is it didn't do it before. And it does it with the emergency brake which is only linked to the rears.

 

Just replaced my front and rears got a good deal.
Mine was doing the same tell replacment

 

Had the same braking problem, and was convinced it was drum related because I felt the shaking in the back. Eventually got to the front brakes (rotors, pads) and everything smoothed out thank God. You only have to brake hard or a long, steep downhill once in order to warp a thin rotor, which mine were.
Your rear shoes are worn to an elliptical shape because of the motion of the shoes in the drum when the brake is applied. The shake is probably amplified because you didn't use front braking. Replace the shoes and that should go away.