5100 vs 2” spacer front lift

When I purchased my truck, 2020 TRD off-road, it already had what looks like the icon 2” spacer bolted on top of the strut assembly. I was thinking of doing a proper lift by swapping out to 5100’s on top clip, to get the same 2” lift. I wanted to use the stock springs. My question is, what is the actual difference between running the 2” icon spacer vs running the 5100’s set to the max height (top clip)? Isn’t it essentially the same thing, or is the 5100 setup better as far as stress on components, flex, etc? I’m having a hard time trying to visualize the differences in my head. Is it worth the time and money to make the switch? Any schooling me on this would be great. Thanks

 

The 5100's will be a better match for the articulating capabilities of the front control arms and CV axles. Basically, there's a range of ride height where a spacer and the 5100 would be pretty similar in terms of leverage/forces, but the 2" spacer allows extra droop that the 5100 wouldn't which may break the CV if it's loaded while dropped out (I've done this, it's not fun). Probably more relevant, if you bottom out the suspension it may not actually bottom on the bump stop, it could bottom out with the shock/spring, which can destroy the shock or worse the shock tower. 5100's allow the frame mounted bump to bear those shock bottoming loads at full compression and are generally accepted to be at or near the limit of acceptable droop.

I have OME 885 springs and OME shocks that do not adjust for preload like the 5100's, which gives my 4Runner a 3" lift. In hindsight, I wish I'd bought 5100's, they're an excellent solution, probably the best in this price range. I dislike spacer lifts, they change suspension geometry in a way that generally doesn't benefit the truck more often than not. The rear is a slightly different story, but to stay relevant to the thread I'll leave it there.

 

Excellent explanation. Thanks

 

So overall, drivability on-road, and some off-road capability the 5100’s are a good choice? Is it safe to run them on the top clip with stock springs?

I’ve heard that the TRD lift kit is basically re-branded 5100’s. If so, I guess the TRD lift kit would be the same as the 5100’s set to top clip since the TRD kit claims 2” front lift? Is this correct?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihErEq6SRrk

 

Knight & day!!!

 

I've heard only good things on road, 99% good off-road, follow the Billy manual for which clip to run. Unsure about TRD vs Billy kit.

 

Side by side pic of my 2016 OR stock coilover next to 3rd Gen model Bilstein 5100.

 

TRD is the same, just with 3 clip options vs 5 like the 5100s. I run the TRDs on the top clip with the stock spring. Got 2” of lift and a vastly improved ride over the stock component.

You won’t find anyone on here that doesn’t agree a 5100/TRD shock is a better option than a spacer.

Send it and have fun!

 

So no issues with running the 5100’s on top clip?

 

5100s x 4 with 1 inch rear blocks, great look and ride.

 

None. Send it!