5100 Leveling Question

I know there are a thousand 5100 threads but I believe this is a new question.

I am upgrading to a 2015 Off Road 4x4 and I plan to level it with 5100's in the front to start with. The 2014 and up Off Roads now have the 4 leaf or TSB if I have read correctly, so I will leave the rear stock.

My question is in regards to the 'softest ride' setup in the front. Which of these setups would be the smoothest/softest for every day driving?:

1) 5100's set at 1.75 with the stock Off Road progressive springs.

2) 5100's set at 1.75 with stock TRD Sport springs (I have my old set with 20k miles on them)

3) 5100's set at 0 with Eibach/Toytec springs (should be a 1.6" lift)


I'd love to hear from someone who may have tried 2 of these setups. I've read the OR springs can be rough with 5100's. My current 3" Toytec lift with stock Bilsteins is too rough when I hit potholes or go over speed bumps at any speed. I also really want 4x4 this time.

 

I currently have 5100's with my stock TRD OR coils at 1.75 and love the ride, even removed the front sawybar. Its a little more stiff, but its a proper stiff.

That stated you might get some bro lean at 1.75 with the stock leaf pack... i have the 3+1 leaf pack and a 2in AAL in the rear and have like 1.5in of rake.... so if you subtract the 2in lift in the rear your at the front being taller.

 

Yes... Had 5100 with O/R progressive Coils ride was very rough I now have Eibach #620 with my Fox C/O ride is very smooth Going with a lift Coil not compressed on 5100 is going to be the Best

 

Eibach and OME springs are also compressed. They are longer springs so the bilstein is set at the lowest perch but your still compressing/preloading the spring to gain lift.

 

It sounds like some people turn out level and some end up nose high! Kind of sucks. I really like level but there is no guarantee!

I'm going to measure the front height compared to the rear. I got a brand new '15 on order so I imagine I'd have to let it settle?

 

Going with the Eibach on a '0' setting is not compressing the spring correct? The spring itself gives the 1.6 lift?

 

Correct

 

still compresses the spring, as its just a longer spring. There is always some preload on w/e spring shock combo you go with.



Get the truck, drive it 1-2k miles and do measurements then install. Im betting its going to be .85 gets you a slight normal rake.... 1.75 gets you a lil bit of a bro lean.

IMO just do a 2in AAL, then 1.75 with stock coils and you will be good, keep the rake so you dont blind everyone even with a load in the back with your headlights.... but get a 2in lift all around.

 

Incorrect! Does this magic eibach spring cause the front of the truck to levitate?

 

No, the eibach spring is longer then stock and you have to compress it to get it to fit on the bilstein. It's the exact same thing as compressing the stock spring to gain lift.

 

Yeah I guess that was a dumb question. They all have to be compressed just to be installed. Maybe I was referring to 'pre-loading'?

However, are we agreeing that the longer spring (Eibach) with the '0' setting would be less firm compared to the shorter OR spring at '1.75'?

 

the more pre-loaded, the worse the ride, and more stress on the strut. Eibachs at 0 are gonna be the way to go. You need to leave some travel in the coilovers.

 

After researching a bit further, the OME 883 with 5100 at '0' might be a better option. Supposed to give a 1.25" - 1.5" lift in the front which may prevent the nose from being higher.

Anyone else got experience on this?

 

That's my exact setup on my previous truck I'm selling right now. I am not a fan of the ride, although many people swear by it. It's good once your into the stroke of the suspension but combo them with a AT tire and every pothole or crack etc jars my dashboard and I can hear the change rattle in the little drawer to the left of the steering wheel. I rode in a truck set to 1.75" on stock springs and it rode basically the exact same. All lifts require you to preload the spring in order for your truck to rest up higher in the stroke. I'm going coilover route next because they are engineered around the preloaded spring to function correctly. If your OME spring I would go OME strut as well, I have heard that's a better ride then the 5100's.

 

i dont understand makes it out to seem like running stock coils is going to ride like this.

I run 5100's at 1.75 with stock TRD OR coils and welcome the slightly extra stiffness.... its how a proper truck should ride, but its not rock hard like everyone makes it to seem.

That stated i would not run stock coils at the 2.5 setting.

 

No need for the smartass remarks!!!

 

I disagree, a proper truck suspension should still have a nice ride. Coilovers offer good on and off road ride. The fact is the 5100 is decent but it's not great. The dashboard of my truck should not shake and rattle from potholes or cracks in the road. That is due to the extreme amount of preload without proper strut valving to match. You get what you pay for and the 5100 is really just slightly better then the stock struts.

 

I just put 5100 on the stock non-TRD springs at .85. 2015 4x4 4 leaf pack truck.
It is slightly stiffer, but not even close to shaking or rattling the dash or in anyway harsh.

PreLoad = compressing a spring

The OME shocks are tuned to match each other. However the 883 is a shorter version not originally designed for the Tacoma. Therefore it would prob. requires less rebound control than the 884 or 5 or 6.
Both Toytec and Wheelers told me the 883 spring would pair very well with the 5100 and give 1.25. This is prob the set up that would make the truck closest to exactly level.

Your TRD springs are progressive most others are linear.
The Eibach and OME springs are higher spring weights than stock. Eibach being the heaviest (heavier = stiffer)

when i measured my stock 2105 DC 4x with 4spring pack the front was 1 inch lower than the rear
5100 notch 2 = .85 lift (slight rake)
5100 at 0 with 883 springs = 1.25 (slight lean)
5100 notch 3 = 1.75 (bro-lean)

 

Appreciate the responses. I ordered just the 5100's to set at 1.75 after reading way too much into this.

Would you guys put them in my OR springs or my Sport springs that had 20k miles on them? I really like the stock ride on this OR so far.

 

If you like your stock ride on the OR springs then when you set the 5100s at 1.75 that will be gone. Personally I'd put either the eibach or ome springs in and set the shocks at 0 but that's me. Firm but not stiff for daily driving.