Suspension Help

I'm sure this has been posted, but I've gone into information overload reading other posts. It's time to replace the stock suspension on my 2008 TRD Sport Double Cab. I'm not really looking to lift the truck, but if I replaced the rear shocks with the Bilstein 5100s and the front with the 5100s, will this lift the truck? If I want to just level it out, what springs should I use on the front with the 5100s? I've been reading for hours on here, and I can't make sense of what I've read at this point. Any help would be great.

 

One idea, you can buy someone's new TRD Off Road "takeoff" rear shocks and front coilovers. Install with a 1/4" spacer like to raise the front 1/2" to level the truck. I have takeoff coilovers only, but shipping will be a lot. GL!

 

No. The 5100s are adjustable for the front. If you set them at 0 they will provide no lift. If you want to level the truck you can set the fronts on the middle clip with the factory coils and that should get ya pretty close to level.

 

So the 5100s on the rear will not lift either, correct? Just want to make sure before I go ordering stuff.

 

Correct. Shocks do not set ride height, springs do.

The reason ones like the 5100's will 'lift' the front is due to spring perch choices. This compresses the spring (preload) which creates lift.

Some folks think preload on OE springs rides fine, some hate it.

My choice would be to lift with the spring suited for the task and use the 0 perch on that particular shock.

Actually, my choice in your case would be to use a 3rd gen take off set where someone went aftermarket. It will be cheap and reasonable quality stuff.

 

Great, thanks for the info. Is there a difference between the 3rd take offs (TRD Sport/Off Road/PRO)?

 

I'm no expert but I'm on my second Tacoma and I have a bit of experience with each. I'm not an off roader. What I care about is ride, handling, and the back end collapsing when I am hauling a reasonable about of weigh.

My first Tacoma was a 2007 TRD Sport. Great truck. After I hit the first 100K miles I the 5100s and 265/70-17 tires on the truck. I was able to easily level the truck. The ride and handling was a marked improvement over the OE shocks. In my opinion the expenditure was minor but the improvement was highly noticeable.

My second Tacoma is also a Sport and now has an ICON Stage 2 setup. Not ridiculously expensive but quite a bit more. Also a big improvement but at a much greater out of pocket cost.

I have no way to measure other than the seat of my pants but I didn't notice the 5100's losing their edge after another 100K miles on the 2007. I "feel" like after 50K miles the over the top improvement I got out of the ICONs on the 2014 (when they were new) has started to slowly deteriorate after much fewer road miles.

 

Personally, unless they were absolutely dirt cheap as in next to free, I would not waste my time with the Sport or OffRoad shocks. I'd spend a bit more and get the 5100s. If you were able to get a set of low mileage Pro takeoffs at a good price I'd jump at them in a heartbeat!

 

Thanks for all the replies. I think I've decided on the 5100s all around, but now I need to determine if I want to use the stock coil springs or something else. Again, not looking to lift the truck, but leveling it wouldn't be bad either. I don't do any off-roading, except driving through the occasional field or dirt road with friends when we go camping.

 

The rake from the factory is engineered into the truck for a couple of reasons. Many chose to forgo that engineering for cosmetics.

Since you don't want or need to lift the truck, I'd suggest letting it be, and install your front 5100s on the 0 perch with the OE springs.