5100s 3rd notch & 1.5” AAL

I think with my camper shell, I’m only going to get 1” back there (1.5” AAL with overload removed). So If I went to the 4th setting up front, I’m thinking I’d probably get bro lean whenever I put a few hundred lbs. back there. I figure if I set the front at 1.1”, I’ll end up keeping the factory rake (with the shell on and the bed empty).

My other option is to go to the 4th notch like you say, and leave the overload in, and that should give 1.5” all the way around (with the shell on) and still maintain the factory rake. I’ve considered this a lot, but my concern is that I’d be getting more into the needle bearing danger zone at 1.5” and I want to avoid having to go back in and do the clamshell bushing. Did you do the bushing on yours?

 

I did do the bushing. IMO I would do the bushing when you have front end apart. Also hit and miss with bushing. With 1.5” up front , aal and overload left in you will be good with rake.

 

5th notch with 1.5”aal on my 2015 and 2021 and both ride great.

With weight:


Without weight:

 

Don't listen to a debate, call Bilstein for the facts. Thats what sold me.

 

I’ll just say this... If the lift isn’t coming from preloading/compressing the coils, where is it coming from then? Remember, the overall length of the strut stays is the same whether you’re on the 1st or the 5th perch.

 

The lower spring seat is raised which extends the shaft (at the top of the strut) which provides the lift. The spring itself is not put under any additional compression. It's been discussed over and over, enjoy the shocks.

 

I just got the 5100s myself.

I am planning on doing the 3rd notch on the front, not changing anything on the rear.
Once I add a front bumper it should level the truck

 

Which AAL?

 

I’m with you OP. Waiting to see your results. I also plan on getting a camper shell. I’m on 5100 all around on stock coils. No AAL. I believe I’m on the 3rd notch.

 

Unfortunately with all the shortages of everything, the camper shell probably won’t be ready for several more weeks. They told me 3 months when I ordered it about a month ago, but they said sometimes they come way sooner. Hopefully mine will. I’ll be installing the lift when it gets here tho, probably next week.

 

I don't, just raises the truck. The spring is not compressed anymore unless more weight is added.

 

Ok, I see where the confusion is coming from now, about spring compression/preload and how it does or doesn’t affect the ride quality/stiffness... I realize that once the shocks are installed on the truck, that the weight of the truck overpowers any preload, and it’s the truck’s weight that is compressing the coils - and that compression is the same regardless of shock perch setting. So I retract my statement that the preload/compression is what gives the lift - it is actually the length of the shock below the perch. And when you’re driving along on a flat road and hit a bump, the springs will compress the same whether you’re on the 1st perch or the 5th, and the feeling will be virtually the same. However, that only works when the shocks go from rest to compression, and back.

Preload really comes into play when the coils are working the other way. Whenever the shocks extend, it’s the preload that’s forcing them to extend. And that preload is affected by the perch setting on 5100s and other similar adjustable struts. The vehicle’s weight is not always resting on the coils (and compressing them). When you’re going over bumps, the shocks will compress and extend past the point of rest, and whenever they’re extended the truck now needs to overcome more resistance (from the preload) to get back to the point of rest. This is what people are feeling when they say a higher perch setting made their ride stiffer. When the shocks are off the truck, there is significantly more preload on the coils when they’re set on the 5th perch, compared to the 1st perch. And the truck will need to overcome that extra resistance whenever the shocks get extended, which makes it feel stiffer .

When you’re going over ruts and whoops, the preload is also forcing the tires away from the truck and against the ground whenever the weight of the vehicle isn’t pressing down on the coils. The preload helps maintain more traction, but it also makes it feel more harsh on the recovery. Here’s a nice little drawing I found that also helps to explain this whole preload thing...

 

This is why you shouldn't use the OME on anything other than the bottom clip. If you're going to use the notches with the stock coils than that should be fine. On the 3rd gen you'll only get 2" of lift either way.

 

Just saw this thread. I can come close. 5100's on 3rd notch, 1/4" spacer for driver side lean, 1" lift blocks in rear. 265/75/16s.

 

Exactly this. ⬆️⬆️⬆️

 

just did mine last Sunday, 2021 LBDC off road, 5100s with OME 885s in the front with 1/4 driver side spacer, after settling and alignment I got 1 1/2 increase from center of hub to edge of fender flare on both sides, I was hoping to see at least 2" but its OK for my driving style and where I'll be taking it. on the back I had already installed an RSI smartcap which dropped me a little bit "didn't measure before installing it pre lift" pre lift to post lift with the RSI I got 2" in the back using Icon progressive pack 1/2" spacers and 2 degree shims, ditched the overload springs, have a set of 17" FN five stars on the way which I will probably wrap in Falken Wildpeak 265/70s

 

I like the look of this lift. Eventually I'd like to do the same thing. What size tires do you have?

 

Looks good, which notch did you use on the front?

 

first notch

 

I have heard the same. I did not lift my Nissan Titan when I bought 5100's because of said misinformation. Made me regret not leveling it out.