Not Again!! Spacer vs. 5100

Yes it’s that age old debate again. I just can’t find a thread that has any recent posts on this debate.

I have a 2015 Off Road. I’m looking to level with maybe an inch added in the rear. The local truck shop is trying to sell me on a 3-1 Ready Lift for $850.00 alignment included.

It seems the more I read, everyone says put 5100s all around and AAL.

Now the dilemma. Shop guy says if you use 5100’s, you move the lock ring up to your desired level and raise the truck up. However, you lose extension in your shock because it doesn’t have full range anymore. Also the AAL creates a stiffer ride, which if you don’t need it, why would you want it. Sooo. They say use the Ready Lift kit and add the spacers on the strut.

Ready Lift is cheaper. However, from what I read it can effect the handling of the truck, even though you keep stock suspension that has been designed for the truck. Instead of AAL it’s just a one inch block in the back. It all makes sense. However, it confuses the mind on what is the better decision and why.

So I’m looking for input into theory and why one over the other. Is there a coilover and strut that I could use that doesn’t limit extension but gives the lift, but not overly stiff? Why do I have to choose between losing handling or suspension performance? How do I keep them both?

I’ve read the pinned lift thread at the top, but I feel it doesn’t fully explain this dilemma. Or I have yet to have it properly explained to me.

A photo of my truck for those who can’t stand articles without pictures.

 

My apologies. After some more searching I have found a few threads on the topic. But would still love to hear your opinion.

 

5100s will be an improvement over stock.

 

I'm going through this right now. Went with 5100s front and back, adjustment set to 0. OME 884 springs up front. Driver side 1/4" spacer to correct the taco lean. Icon RXTs in back, chose option 2.

From everything I've read, AAL is a bandaid. And blocks are worse than AAL sooooo...

It's spendy but buy one cry once.

 

5100’s with ome 885 bottom clip, no top spacers, added 3 leafs in the back and removed the overload leaf. Drives and look great. I don’t tow, only load about 500lb(dirt bike, cooler and camping gear) . Just tested this and still leveled and performing good. If you add lean correction 1/4” spacer you’re going to need UCA’s. 5100 shocks are extended travel.

 

AALs are fine.

 

I ran a 2" spacer for a year. Ride quality was exactly the same as what it was before. I also have a 1.5" AAL. This stiffened up the rear in a nice way. I do however have a topper so it required some better support but the ride was nice even before it was installed. I recently installed 5100's set at 2" of lift simply because I wanted a bit stiffer suspension. I found the stock suspension to bounce around too much for my liking. I would not spend that kind of money on a spacer lift. I bought mine online and did the install myself so would recommend if it going that route. The price they want is insane. I would recommend the 5100's and AAL over spacer and block, those are not functional upgrades.

 

Why would you need a newer thread to read the debate of spacers vs 5100s. NOTHING HAS CHANGED! Spacers are still spacers and 5100s are still 5100s. Its not like the companies who produce the spacers can magically make a 2" thick piece of metal perform better than the 2" thick piece of metal they made the prior year.
With that, unsubbed from the stupidity.

 

I'd recommend going with OME 885 coils and the 5100's or the OME Nitrochargers. For the rear, the 3 leaf progressive ones that Icon or Headstrong offers are great.

 

Quickest way to get the right answer is to give the wrong one lol.

In my case my leafpacks were toast. OP may very well be in a better scenario.

 

I've got the Icons and I really like them. I've got the Eibach Pro Truck Lift kit set at 2.5 inches and I was little nose high even with the AALs. I probably would have been dead level if I sat them at 2 inches. But I added a small block to the rear to give me a little rake.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-tacoma-lift-guide.509171/

 

thanks for this!

my new impression with everything I have read is to go with 5100’s all around with OME 885 coils on the front and the 5100 set to 0. This should give me a little lift in the front to level, maintain a slight rake. The only question this leaves is do the new coils change the ride quality? Also, I read in a couple posts that the OME 885’s don’t last as long as stock coils. Is this true? Is a diff drop needed in this situation?

 

You will not need a diff drop.

 

I have 885 with a steel bumper. It will give you more than 3" lift with regular bumper.

 

yikes! I don’t want that!

 

Every lift changes ride quality, in my case it got stiffer which I like.
I have exactly the same set up you thinking about.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...teins-5100-and-plate-bumper-w-o-winch.514993/

 

Did you have the overload leaf still in there?

I think my rear was at 2" of lift with the overload. But yeah, I like having a bit of a rake with my truck. I think my fronts settled to around 2.25" or less with some weight I added.

 

I took the overload leaf out.