Bilstein 5100 Front Installation on Monroe Quick-Strut Springs

Hi,

I bought a 2004 Tacoma DC 4x4 about a month ago and although I’m new to posting on the forums I’ve been reading the forums daily for the past 3 months or so to answer all the questions I have. I feel like I did a fairly decent job searching before posting this, and didn’t see an exact answer to the problem I’m encountering with the Bilstein 5100 (24-249928) installation.

I’m in the middle of installing Bilstein 5100’s to add some room for the 32x11.5r15s I just bought and am struggling with a few things. The coilovers came off quickly and easily, but getting them assembled and installed is a different story. I’m definitely wishing I would have just purchased a pre-assembled coilover setup, but I really didn’t want to mess with the rear yet. Your help is appreciated. Sorry in advance for the lengthy post! Here is a picture of how it currently sits.



1) The current setup is Monroe Quick-Struts. I haven’t assembled the driver side yet, but when I assembled the passenger side, I could not fit all of the stuff from the Monroe setup I was removing.

I don’t believe so, but does the gray pieced from the bottom of the Monroe setup need to be swapped over?

The problem is that I can either install the Bilsteins with the 2 rubber bushings and 2 washers, or just the isolator, but not both as there is no thread left to put the lock nut on if I try to install it with all of those items. I was able to assemble the passenger side with just the spring isolator and no rubber bushings, which I didn’t like and now realize was incorrect. So I will be disassembling them and reassembling them again and want to make sure I get things right.

I believe it needs to be shock, dust cover, washer, rubber bushing, isolator, top hat, rubber bushing, washer, lock nut. However, I can only do shock, dust cover, washer, rubber bushing, top hat, rubber bushing, washer, lock nut.

Is it ok to leave off the isolator?
Is it ok to leave off any of the rubber bushings and washers?

Depending on the responses, I believe I am going to go ahead and order this kit so all of the bushings are new. 2) Is the spring assembly from the Monroe Quick-Struts similar enough to OEM that this will work? In other words, will swapping the Monroe Springs to the Bilstein 5100s provide a similar lift to that of the OEM springs?

3) The instructions for the 5100s indicate that the lift options are Normal, .67”, 1.33”, and 2”. I’m not planning on doing anything to the rear at the moment. Would 1.33” or 2” be a better option to level it with the 32/11.5r15s I have? I'm thinking 1.33", but I'm tempted by 2" just don't want it to look too high in the front

 

Damn.. hope you worked it out.. i have no idea

 

Thanks.

I thought it through a little more and was able to answer the majority of my questions. I’ll be trying to finish the install this week when I have time, and will update this post with my findings.

My questions were:

1) Does the gray piece from the bottom of the Monroe need to be swapped over.
The answer to that question is no because even if I wanted to, it can’t fit with the new setup because the bottom is flat where the perch on the new setup is contoured to fit a spring.

2) Is it OK to leave off the isolator?
Yes, based on the reading I have done.

3) Is it Ok to leave off any of the rubber bushings and washers?
No, I don’t believe so. I will be trying to install it with those bushings.

4) What is the order of assembly?
The correct assembly order is shock, dust cover, washer, rubber bushing, shock mount, rubber bushing, washer, lock nut. I may leave off the dust cover if I need more room.

5) Is the spring assembly from the Monroe similar to OEM?
This I don’t know yet, but will know after installing and taking measurements.

6) Would 1.33” or 2” be a better option to level it with the 32/11.5r15s I have?
I’m going with 1.33 and if it needs to go up more I can adjust it later.

 

Great looking truck!

Going up 2” in the front may push it just past level. I don’t think I’d go more than the 1.33” option with the stock rear springs.

It looks like the gray piece is just an isolator which is what the black rubber/urethane piece does as well (don’t leave these off). You may also want to compress your spring a bit more to make the install easier.

 

The only thing i can answer is at 2” the front was higher on my truck.. had to add 1” blocks.. going to change to AAL soon as i find the right set up front (coil overs) for my needs

 

Hows it going guys.. Here is the 5100's at max, with uca's and 1/2" spacers to drop the front diff / drive shaft & carrier bearing in hopes of avoiding any binding. Rides stiff, a little hairy in the rain and floats on washboard roads - a little hairy at times lol... Tacoma2004x4 , your truck should sit higher most definitely. And good looking truck man

 

Finished it last night. Still have a little rubbing on the bottom corners of the front bumper but I'm glad I didn't go any higher.

Before:

After:

 

Does your truck sit level at 1.33 or is the back sitting slighty ever so higher, im debating running some Bilsteins 5100s with the 1.33 or 2in front lift on double cab tacoma 04, thanks!