Actual measurements on 5100's.... you are not using all the suspension!

@nd4spdbh
I want to make sure I have this right. You had an extra 1.25" of shock travel while sitting on the stock bump stop and you had a 1/4" spacer on the shock, so without the spacer there would have been an extra 1.5" of travel.

So.. Using a .75" spacer would leave you with .75" of extra shock travel. If you threw on SuperBumps which collapse ~.25" more than stock, you'd still have a ~.5" safety margin. Maybe a 3/8" shim under the bump to stay on the safe side.

 

http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_us/pdfs/Bil_LevShks_WebArticle.pdf


This is the bilstein 5100 user info. Specifically page 2 and 3 get into spacer lifts and how it limits the travel on the suspension. It also says this, "The Bilstein 5100 Series Leveling Shock allows the suspension components to fully travel upward to the factory bump stop as it was originally designed to do." Makes me think that where it seems you may be loosing some travel, it may just be part of the engineering.

 

To clarify my last statement. The 5100 itself has the ability to travel further. The factory suspension and axle are limited and the bump stop is as far as it goes safely without damage or parts making contact.

 

Correct. I had 1.25in of shock travel left and that was on the side with my .25in spacer.

You do have to take into consideration that the bumpstops are closer to the pivot point of the LCA vs the shock. ( we will say about half the distance for ease of measurements and some safety margin) so 1/4in more compression of the bumpstop would yeild ~ 1/2in more of shock travel.

Idealy I would shave ~ 1/4in off the stock bumpstop or get one that compresses a lil more, then add a 1/2in spacer on the top hat. This would use roughly 1in more of shock travel spread equally between up and down travel.

Correct, and i feel as though the way the 5100 is designed and the way they write their stuff is because it is an OEM replacement, meant to go on OEM suspension components. With the Stock UCA any more droop than the 5100 has to offer in stock placement yeilds binding of the upper ball joint and UCA hitting coil, so they cant recommend running with a spacer and they cant design it to be any longer.

That stated after putting on my SPC UCA's with ball joints that have 20* MORE flex than most uniball ucas (yes you read that right), there is no bind anywhere with the suspension components utilizing the extra full travel of the 5100 spread between up and down travel.

My ONLY concern would be CV joints but i think if done properly (like stated above) the extra inch of travel at the wheel at either end of up and down travel would be no problem.

 

Thats kinda what I was thinking as for aftermarket suspension. Once stock parts are replaced then you have more capability for flex.

 

I put 1/2" top plate spacers on my OME struts with 883 springs and am loving this set up. This lifted my access cab 2.25" (measured after 2 years and 30k miles). Also running LR UCAs for more droop and perfect alignment.

Left the bump stops stock since I haven't had time to measure the strut at full compression, could probably run the super bumps for more up travel. Although it's nice to be able to run 255/85r16 tires and not rub.

 

When I setup my Wrangler suspension I pulled the bump stop from the cup that it mounts into, due to the full compression of the material. I then cycled the suspension knowing that the factory bump will collapse fully, and looked at the compressed shock with the jeep on fully compressed bump. I used that measurement to select the correct bump length, making sure that the shock would not be the bump stop. I added a quarter inch or so to be safe. I can hit full bump without blowing the shock up, and using the full travel of the suspension.

Can the same be done on a Tacoma, or is some other method required? Its early and I blew out my back, so I am not thinking correctly today. I am not getting the raise or lower the shock. Should you not change the length of the bump instead?

 

Slight revival, but the Baja Edition truck uses base/non-PreRunner bumpstops, they’re similar but shorter... I put the PRO suspension on my truck, I plan on ordering a couple 2wd bumpstops to squeeze a little more life outta the suspension.

 

I know this has been a while. Any info on the rear shocks compared to the fronts in regards to unused shock travel?

Just curious.

Thanks!