New Guy with Bilstein Question

Ok, it’ll be time to order parts soon. Below is my future truck specs and overall goal. Thought I'd get some input from the board....


2018 OR V6 short bed (2x4)

Will be towing a 16’ jon boat now and again, nothing else, no heavy hauling either, rarely off-road


Goal: Level front end with rear …. No lift in the back


Mods: KO2’s 265/70/17 with TRD pro 17” wheels

Replace needle bushing

Replace stock grill with pro grill (if possible on ’18 model)


Now, I’ve been brain dead and recently realized I already have 5100’s, front and rear, on my Frontier, including Total Chaos bars.

That said, I’ve really enjoyed the stiffer ride with the 5100’s, and they are set at the top ring apparently. I liked how they rode immediately after getting them on a few years ago.


So, what I’d like to do is simply add new 5100’s to my new truck, all around, without adding new coils, etc. with the goal of simply making the front end pretty close to dead level with the back. (trying to keep costs down). Which ring setting is more likely to give me the level position I'm looking for? Or will the stock coils actually be doing that after shocks are installed?


So what am I missing here…..is this a reasonable plan? And, can someone explain “pre-loading.” Thanks.

 

You won't need to replace a needle bearing if your truck is a 4X2, you don't have a front differential.

 

Perfect....thanks.

 

Yes that sounds reasonable. I believe it is the second ring, the .85" lift setting that will level out a stock truck with the 5100s. You'll like them, they were a pretty solid upgrade over stock, especially for towing and other on road stuff.

 

If using 2nd gen 5100s I think the 2nd setting puts you level with the rear stock height.

 

Thanks guys....I def don't want to be looking at a front end higher than the rear when they are done with install at the dealer.

 

I'm assuming I can't do anything with the 3 gen 5100's to account for the taco lean? I know Bilstein makes another kit that accounts for this....in my case, do I just need a spacer on driver side? I'll attempt to look for the thread here that links to the spacer.

 

I'm only doing 5100's for leveling...no new coils or anything else...

 

https://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p31/HS_1/4"_Top_Plate_Spacer_-_TT05514-TPS.html

 

Perfect...thanks

 

Why does the truck come from the factory (not levelled)? What is the benefit?

 

The truck is intended to haul things, you place something in the back of a leveled truck it squats so it becomes nose up.

You load something into the back of a truck with factory rake it's level.

 

Good question....who knows, 18's may have resolved this?

 

Trust me, most people that haul things do not want to start with a leveled truck when it's empty.

Or are you referring to the Taco lean that developes? That's due to having the battery, driver and gas tank all on the same side.

 

I'll be towing a 16ft jon boat with a 20hp motor....any chance that causes my rear with 3 gen 5100's to dip noticeably or significantly?

 

What's the tow rate of the boat and trailer loaded? Anything else in the bed or passengers in the backseat?

John boat empty isn't that heavy but it depends on what else you might have

 

About 1382 lbs on tongue ....extremely light load in boat..cooler, ice, big long gig to murder flounder ...just me in truck...nothing in bed....

 

If it sags, starting thinking about adding leafs eventually.

 

10-4... thanks jsinnard