Bilstein 5100's w/ Springs?

I have never and will probably never understand why people don’t use the stock springs the Bilstein 5100’s are designed for. The primary benefit of 5100’s is the adjustable preload. Combing them with longer (aka lift springs) eliminates that benefit because you have to put them on the lowest setting (at least that it what Bilstein documents).

Plus, Bilstein 5100 are a budget lift. Why spend more money than you need to?

Because many assume that 600, 650, and 700 lb/in springs are more "heavy duty" than the stock springs, I feel the need to point that AFAIK the stock springs are 712 lb/in. Reference here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...2016-tacoma-presented-by-toytec-lifts.395798/

 

Yes, #5

 

There is no "spec sheet" attached to corroborate the 712 lb/in reference

 

I’ve always wondered that as well. Where did it go?

 

Did it exist? Same myph as taco lean?

 

It was not attached when I first read the post many years ago. However, it’s the only slightly authoritative source of information about the spring rate of the stock coil springs that I know of. I wish that wasn’t true.

 

I know. I'm on TW for almost 7 years and read this anecdote for many times, but never seen an official specs nor an independent testing to confirm the number.

 

One thought I just had know that I am rethinking this subject. If the stock springs are actually 700 lb/in. It should be possible to apply more that the minimum preload on a 600 lb/in aftermarket spring, yes?

I would have to know all the dimensions and spring rates and then think about it.

 

It's more about running a different spring and needing a shock that can accommodate that spring (more travel, better dampening). Most that have had both will agree a lift spring like OME or eibach set at zero on 5100, rides better than a 5100 maxed out with stock spring.

 

Springs are springs. They might all be manufactured by Eibach for all I know. They are very simple devices. The only things that matter are there specs, ie spring rate, length, inside diameter, outside diameter, etc. Two springs with the same specs will ride exactly the same and provide the same lift regardless of manufacturer.

That said, springs with different specs will have different effects.

It’s also important to note that a suspension system needs to be designed as a whole. Mass, spring rate, and damping rate need to be tuned together. When a manufacturer says their shocks are designed for a particular mass and spring rate, you shouldn’t discount that.

 

Springs are not springs. They ride differently. Most aftermarket springs for these trucks are longer yet softer. Vs the stock short and stiff.

Plus the stock yellow bilsteins are puny and very soft. Hence why a stock off road rides like a pillow up front.

The 5100 with OME or eibach spring just works pretty good and is a great budget lift. Again most will agree it rides better than a stock spring that's preloaded to all hell on 5100 at top setting.

 

And here there is a question. Which one is 712?
There are 3-4 different springs for 3 gen based on color coding.
SR, SR5,Limited vs Sport vs OR vs Pro.

 

I don’t know about the color coding, but I do know there are multiple part numbers.

I wish we had the actual specs. It would make these threads so much better.

Having next to zero information on spring (and shock) specs, I personally would opt to replace my shocks with the bilsteins and leave the springs in place. The bilsteins give the desired lift. Adding springs to the equation adds very ambiguous benefit.

Is there some reason no one talks about combing aftermarket “lift” springs with the stock shocks? That would accomplish the same goals, yes?

 

Great feedback man, very descriptive, thank you so much. Solidifying my option on the 5100's even more and saving me $$$.

 

Eibach for sure, and maybe OME explicitly state if adding a lift spring, you must replace the shock with one that has more travel than stock.

 

I think I misunderstood your point. You are suggesting that 5100's ride better than the stock shocks. Having driven 2 tacos with 3 different shocks (SR5 stock, OR stock, OR Kings), I am personally highly skeptical that anyone could feel the difference in a blind test of normal street driving. I think the placebo effect is real. I do think people might notice a difference under much more extreme driving conditions. Off-road shocks aren't designed to perform better on the road.

 

That's interesting, but what does "extended travel" mean? AFAIK, it has no definition. Tinkerer's Adventure has a good video on the actual lengths of OEM replacement shocks. Some not labeled "extended travel" are actually just as long or longer than those that are labeled that way. King dropped the "extended travel" label a while back and only has one length now.

Since those instructions don't mention actual numbers, I have to take it with a grain of salt. It would be interesting to hear an elaboration from a representative of Eibach.

 

I'm 3 1/2 years on ome 885/5100 0 settings/aal.
1st thing i notice is improvement on nose dive Under light to moderate braking and going over wide speed bumps at 35 mph.

 

Agreed it would be nice if Eibach was more specific. Like how much extra travel needed?

I install lift kits on Tacomas, 4runners and other Toyota/Lexus almost every weekend. M-F I'm a mechanic at a performance shop that specializes in Toyotas.

I own a

$905 Branick 7600 Strut Spring Compressor

Branick 7600 wall mounted spring compressor. In my home garage. I can tell the stiffness or preload of a spring by how hard I have to crank on the handles.

Cranking down a stock spring, set at the highest (2.5" lift) 5100 clip position is forcing that spring to do things it was never intended to do. Be squished into a smaller space than designed.