Coilover Alignment Question

Hey Guys,

I am going to be swapping out the stock struts for some adjustable 5100s soon but I wanted to cover all my bases before I start. Pretty much the only question I have is about the coil alignment. I will be using my stock coils and adjust the 5100s to the 2.5" setting to level out my truck (rear sits at 23" so I think this should level the truck out nicely?). So, when I go to install the new strut and assembly, is there a specific way that the coil sits in the strut mount? Or can this just go however up top as long as the coil is sitting correctly in the lower coil mount on the strut? Also, what type of tool do I need for the c-clips on the 5100s? just a regular snap ring plier? I hope someone can help!!

Thanks

 

Yes regular snap ring tool(reverse style pliers). Mark them before taking them off .I don't know how much the direction of the coil matters, Some say that coil alignment keeps the swaybar and other things from hitting them.

 

Alright, gotcha. Thanks for the help! I have after market UCAs so I am not really worried about them being in the way of the coils. As for the sway bar Ill see if it will be in the way. Ill mark them just to be sure though. If they are slightly off from the original marks I made do you think that would be alright? I bought new strut mounts and am using all new hardware but the coils, so it may be a little tricky to get everything to align perfectly as they were before.

 

Since you have aftermarket UCA's I would try to get the coil in the same spot but don't worry if it's not just right. The main thing is to make sure the coil is in the correct spot on the bottom piece and that the rubber piece up top is sitting right. If the coil is not sitting right in the corner on the bottom piece you will end up with more lift than you want.

 

I personally wouldnt do the 2.5in setting with stock coils. Id much rather opt for the 1.75in setting and a 1/2in top plate spacer. This will soften the ride (but still get you desired ride height) and allow you to more fully utilize the 5100's travel. (As in stock config with stock bumpstop, ~ 1in of shock shaft travel is not used on the upstroke.)

 

Gotchya. When you say the rubber piece up top is sitting right, you mean that the little dimpled spots for the 3 mounting bolts line up with the bolt bottoms? Or is there more to it? Thanks!

 

This will be something I will take into consideration. The 1/2 inch spacer will give me that extra 3/4 inch of lift? Any brands that you'd recommend? Also, if I weren't to do this, would there be any adverse effects on the suspension system running them at 2.5?

 

the 1/2in spacer would give around .75-1in of lift. (you might also consider adding a .25in spacer on top of anything you do to the driver side to accommodate for taco lean)

Adverse effects of running stock coils at the 2.5in setting are a very stiff rough ride due to the extra preload on the coils. This will make topping out much more prevelant and felt as well as the aforementioned rough ride.

As far as the spacers go. Any aluminum 1/2in spacer should do the trick.

FYI I run my stock TRD coils at the 1.75in setting and its quite a bit stiffer than stock, but its a much more pleasant ride its stiff like it should be and not mushy like the stock suspension. That stated i would never want to find out what the 2.5in setting would feel like as far as stiffness.

 

Just trying to understand, but wouldnt the spacers be preloading the coils just as much as the 2.5" setting? I just want to make my truck basically level and want to do it with minimal extra parts. Previous owner put a 1.25" spacer up front so my ride height is 21.75 inches. I will be taking this out with the install. My rear is sitting at about 23" or a hair over. Since stock ride height is 20" I was thinking if I set my billies at 2.5" then the truck would be mostly leveled out and there would only be an unnoticable front heavy rake.

 

Because the spacer is outside of the coil assembly it does not preload the coil any extra. It simply moves the entire coil assembly down to provide lift.

Also when you say a 1.25 in spacer is that the thickness of the spacer itself or the amount of lift provided?

 

Yes exactly. On the other side you will see where your spring has left an indention and I always try to line that up as well.

 

Awesome, thanks!