Will my 2.7 4x4 have issues running Bilstein 5100's?

I know some of you guys have been asked a million questions about bilstein 5100’s. So I’ve talked to a couple of people about putting a set of them on my Tacoma with the stock coil springs, I’ve talked to one guy from toytec and he said that he doesn’t recommend them for me because I have the 2.7 4x4 and might lift it over 3 inches even with stock coil springs using the very bottom ring groove. So then I talked to another person I know and he says I shouldn’t have any problem using the bilstein 5100’s as long as I use the very bottom ring setting so I don’t go over 2 inches, right now I have a 2 inch spacer leveling kit and need to get rid of it, any advice?

 

If you use the bottom setting, that will be stock (no lift) ride height. Generally the third (from bottom) ring setting will get you ~2" of lift with stock springs on the V6, not sure if it would be different for the 2.7 liter.

 

The 1st ring groove (very bottom) is stock height, so not sure why these guys are saying it'll be lifted on that setting. I'm wondering if they're really talking about the 2nd ring groove (from bottom), which would be the first setting to provide an actual lift. If I remember correctly, Bilstein classified the ring settings as providing the following lift heights:

1 - 0"
2 - 0.85"
3 - 1.75"
4 - 2.5"

Note, from what I remember most folks always get noticeably more lift than the Bilstein advertised heights, like @Fitz235 alluded to in his comment about the ~2" lift on the 3rd setting.

Toyota uses different springs for the various model/type Tacomas, including the 2.7s and 4.0s, so unless your swapping springs from a different configuration Tacoma I'm not sure what they're talking about.

That being said, best to get it straight from the horse's mouth by folks around here who are actually running this same setup and can confirm what lift height they ended up with. Also, suspension lifts and 5100s have been beaten to death around here, so you'd think the search function would turn up something on this same lift configuration?

 

Where are you buying your 5100s? I should have ordered them on sale during labor day weekend. Check the old man emu chart for 5100s and coils on the website . They have everything you need there. I believe stock ome coils are 883 or 884 depending on your vehicle.

 

I have a 2.7 4x4, I did 5100s with OME 884 coils and it lifted mine about 3 inches

 

OK, one thing to remember when reading about 5100 here on TW, is that the 2nd gen 4x4 TRD OR has a progressive front spring and the TRD Sport does not. My guess is the SR5 does not also and I imagine there is a weight difference in the 2.7 and 4.0. So be sure you are looking at apples to apples when asking and comparing. And, how your truck is loaded will make difference too, so any weight adding mods including a tool box can make a difference.

For instance, my '06 4.0 TRD OR with a Leer shell, tools and my rear spring pack resulted in a little over a 2" front lift @ the 3rd. ring.
Good luck.

 

If you are using the stock springs and want 2 inches of lift, the 2nd or 3rd clip is where you need to be. If you are getting aftermarket springs (ome/toytec/ eibach) then get the proper spring for the ride height and set it on the bottom clip.

 

What ring groove do you have your front struts set to?

 

I’ve emailed bilstein a few weeks ago asking them about the 4 cylinder 4x4 and how much difference it is compared to the v6 weight and haven’t heard anything back.

 

I’ve never thought about that idea, thanks for the help

 

With the 884 coils I have the 5100s on the bottom ring, the coil does the lifting.

 

Like stated, if you use your stock springs you will get pretty close to advertised lift numbers per setting.

Aftermarket coils are almost always to be used with a stock 0 lift setting on a 5100 and achieve the lift via the longer and or stiffer coil and as such will obviously have different lift heights depending on the weight on your truck. (IE - a stock v6 might get a taller lift via an aftermarket coil than a heavily armored i4).

 

Do you still use your stock UCAs or did you have to upgrade?

 

5100's and 886's here
I know folks say you can't or shouldn't run that combo, but mine are doing good.
Freedom off road UCA's installed as well.

 

I still have my stock UCAs, it’s close but they worked. When I have more money I may upgrade to aftermarket