?'s about leveling kit

Hey guys, so I've been searching on Toytec's website and I've decided I want to level off my front end of my truck. I have a couple questions for anyone who these might apply to or have this set up. I want to get the Bilstein 5100's for my truck (front and back) however, I only want to put coils in the front. It specifically says on the website that it won't work without a lift in the back. Is this true? (I know sometimes websites try and sell you on buying more stuff than needed.) Next question, will the 881 OME coils fit with the Bilstein 5100's? The website also specifically states that the OME coils are only to be used with OME shocks. Any feedback is extremely helpful. I don't wanna waste my money.

 

You should really do some searching first to understand the common lift options for the truck. There's a ton of info here and it can be fun to read up on stuff.. Bilstein 5100s are a solid choice, generally people say the ride is weird when you mix old man emu with bilstein because they weren't designed for each other, so you may be better off with getting bilsteins with Eibach coils, which would look weird without a rear lift. Or get ome shocks and 881 coils to level the front. Got any pics of how the truck sits now?

 

Yeah, I've decided I just want to go with a front leveling kit. I didn't want to go with the Eibach springs because they're designed for 3" lifts and that's just too much for me. So you think the OME shocks are better? Could I go with all four and a front coil lift in the front without having to lift the rear any?

 

5100s set at .85 with no aal or set at 1.75 with an aal

 

I just got off the phone with the Toytec guy and he told me that it was true that the Bilstein 5100's didn't work unless you had some sort of lift. He did say exactly what tacomataco was saying is that it's not good to mix/match the OME and Bilstein's. So I think I'm gonna go with OME coils and shocks all around. It's a bit more expensive setup but it'll allow me to level off the front without having to mess with the rear any.

 

OME coils and shocks all around give you a 3 inch lift..

 

So earlier you were saying that the Bilstein 5100's will work in the rear with no lift at all? Just adjust the height difference on them?

 

I think I can contribute something relevant.

This weekend I put on 5100s all around with OME 881 springs up front. If you go with the billy/881 combo, you're probably going to want to set the bilsteins at 0". You'll get the best ride that way, and the 881's alone add plenty of lift. I got 2-3" lift up front with that combination on a 2000 2.7L singlecab with no armor.

That being said, I haven't lifted the rear yet and it left me with a reverse rake (bro lean.) Although I do have worn-ass leaf springs and a camper shell which make the back end sag.

Hope it helps

 

That's actually extremely helpful. Now, did your 5100's fit ok in the rear considering you didn't lift the rear any? I've been told they won't fit without a lift.

 

Per DSMS, they work with 0-2" of lift. With my saggy springs, They come dangerously close to bottoming out before hitting the bump stops. However, due to the geometry of the shocks (they're not vertical, as opposed to the bump stops) the bumps might hit before they bottom out.

I've also been told that they CANT handle more than 2" of lift (for risk of topping out). I think it's kind of strange that people say this shock only has 2" of range before bottoming/topping out....

I think an AAL or extended bump stops would be enough to keep em from getting damaged.

 

I just put the 5100/5125 kit from Downsouth on my '03 xcab v6 4x4 Friday. No lift required other than the leveling bit. The rears just bolted on where the others came off - all that went on back there. I used the middle preload setting on the front which leveled the truck perfectly. It's just awesomeness now. No more stepping out in corners, no more bouncing, just a nice, firm ride and a level truck!

 

Awesome! I too was thinking about the 5125's for the rear and 5100's for the front along with the coils in the front. I think that's what I'm gonna end up going with.

 

Stop giving him 2nd gen/ bad info, 1st gen bilsteins don't have a .85 setting and the amount of lift depends on which coil.........

 

Ok so did any of you guys who bought the 5100's for the front have to buy a bushings kit or anything like that? Does buying just the shocks include everything needed for the install (bushings, etc.)? My front strut bushings are totally shot and I'd hope that they would include some so I wouldn't have to buy any. What's recommended?

 

I bought mine from DSMS and it came with all new eyelet bushings (where you bolt the shocks in top/botton and the bottom of the strut. However, I had to buy a bushing /washer kit for the strut/strut plate, as my OEMs were shot after 165k miles.

Fucking absurd price, but this was the only place I could find it....
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Front-shock-replacement-bushingwasher-kit_p_35.html

 

Yeah that's the one I was recommended to buy. Thanks! I just didn't wanna get the shocks and have no eye-hole bushings.

 

I got something similar from Bilstein Lifts - same price. Looks like the same kit. Their warehouse is close to me, so I bought from them. Got the spring seat insulators off Amazon for $17 shipped (Prime).

All my rubber was in horrible shape. Glad I ordered all that stuff before I started.